Oligolectic. In Britain, the species is narrowly oligolectic on Lysimachia vulgaris, (Primulaceae) collecting both pollen and floral oils (these flowers lack nectaries). In Somerset, the species has additionally been reported to forage for pollen from Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae)(Cowley, 1951), and in Cambridgeshire, females have apparently been observed collecting pollen from bushes, possibly Rhamnus (Rhamnaceae)(Spooner, 1931), but such behaviour would seem to be exceptional and clearly requires confirmation.
Pekkarinen (1998) lists Lysimachia (Primulaceae) as the pollen source in Finland.
Elsewhere in Europe the bee is oligolectic, additionally visiting L. punctata and L. nummularia (Vogel, 1976, 1986) and L. thyrsifolia (Söderman & Leinonen, 2003)
Celary (2004) states that only Lysimachia vulgaris (Primulaceae) is used as a pollen and oil source in Poland but in Celary (2005) he adds Lysimachia nummularia.
M. europaea visits other plant species for nectar, including Lotus (Fabaceae); Rubus, Potentilla erecta, Agrimonia (Rosaceae); Epilobium hirsutum (Onagraceae); Heracleum sphondylium (Apiaceae); Mentha, Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae); Achillea, Cirsium arvense, Centaurea, Leontodon hispidus, Sonchus (Asteraceae) and Alisma (Alismataceae).
Söderman & Leinonen (2003) additionally list Potentilla palustris (Rosaceae), Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae), Ranunculus repens (Ranunculaceae) and Alisma plantago-aquatica (Alismataceae). Elfving (1968) and Vogel (1986) list further continental nectar sources.
Michez (2004) lists the following species: Cirsium arvense, Hieracium sp. (Asteraceae); Ranunculus sp. (Ranunculaceae); Myosotis palustris (Boraginaceae); Campanula sp. (Campanulaceae); Geranium sylvaticum (Geraniaceae); Lycopus europaeus, Stachys sylvatica (Lamiaceae); Lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae); Epilobium angustifolium, Epilobium spicatum (Onagraceae); Potentilla palustris, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); Scrophularia nodosa (Scrophulariaceae).
Janssons (2003) lists Aster tripolium and Cirsium arvense (Asteraceae) as nectar forage plants in Belgium.
Celary (2004) lists the following plant species as nectar sources in Poland: Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae); Cirsium and Carduus (Asteraceae); Geranium (Geraniaceae); Rubus (Rosaceae); Lythrum salicariae (Lythraceae) and various Apiaceae.
Celary (2005) citing various authors, lists the following nectar sources in Poland: Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium (Apiaceae); Achillea millefolium, Carduus spp., Centaurea jacea, Cirsium arvense, Solidago gigantea (Asteraceae); Geranium pratense (Geraniaceae); Origanum vulgare, Lycopus europaea (Lamiaceae); Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); Tilia tomentosa (Tiliaceae); Frangula alnus (Rhamnaceae); Medicago media (Fabaceae).
In countries neighbouring Poland, the following nectar sources are listed: Agrimonia eupatoria, Potentilla palustre, Potentilla erecta, Filipendula ulmaria (Rosaceae), Alisma plantago-aquatica (Alismataceae); Angelica sylvestris (Apiaceae); Campanula spp. (Campanulaceae); Carduus acanthoides, Cirsium palustre, Lactuca sibirica, Leontodon autumnalis, Leontodon hispidus, Sonchus arvensis, Taraxacum spp. (Asteraceae); Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum (Onagraceae); Geranium palustre (Geraniaceae); Lotus corniculatus (Fabaceae), Mentha arvensis, Stachys sylvatica, Thymus pulegioides (Lamiaceae); Myosoton aquaticum, Stellaria graminea (Caryophyllaceae), Ranunculus repens (Ranunculaceae); Scrophularia nodosa, Veronica longifolia (Scrophulariaceae)
Oil Collecting: Uniquely amongst European bees, trhe genus Macropis has a requirement to collect floral oil, and the species collects this solely from Lysimachia vulgaris. The Lysimachia oil is secreted by special thin-walled glands known as trichome elaiophores which are distributed over the staminal tubes and the internal base of the corolla. The female ruptures these glands by the use of modified pads of velvety hairs and/or spines on the underside of the fore tarsus (illustrated in O’Toole & Raw, 1991). The released oil droplets are absorbed by these hairs and passed to the scopa on the hind tibia (mid-tarsus of M. fulvipes, showing specialised hairs, figured by Müller, Krebs & Amiet (1997)). Here the oil is mixed with the pollen and carried to the nest (O’Toole & Raw, 1991). Foraging behaviour is also described by Vogel (1986).