Oligolectic: Lysimachia sp. (Lysimachia nummularia, L. punctata and L. vulgaris) with a clear preference for L. nummularia (Primulaceae) from which it collects both pollen and floral oils (Söderman & Leinonen, 2003; Michez, 2004). Pekkarinen (1998) lists Lysimachia (Primulaceae) as the pollen source in Finland.
Celary (2004) states that he observed visits to Lysimachia vulgaris and Lysimachia nummularia (Primulaceae) for pollen and oil forage in Poland.
Michez (2004) lists the following plant species as forage sources: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Lactuca sp., Taraxacum sp. (Asteraceae); Stellaria graminea (Caryophyllaceae); Lotus uliginosus (Fabaceae); Geranium palustre (Geraniaceae); Lycopus europaeus, Mentha arvensis, Stachys sylvatica, Thymus pulegioides (Lamiaceae); Ranunculus repens (Ranunculaceae); Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla palustris, Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); Scrophularia nodosa (Scrophulariaceae).
Söderman & Leinonen (2003) addiotionally list Potentilla palustris (Rosaceae), Lycopus europaeus (Lamiaceae) as nectar sources.
Celary (2004) lists the following plant species as nectar sources in Poland: Stellaria graminea, Stellaria media, Cerastium holosteoides, Myosoton aquaticum (Caryophyllaceae); Epilobium hirsutum (Onagraceae); Stachys sylvatica, Thymus pulegioides (Lamiaceae); Geranium (Geraniaceae); Rubus (Rosaceae); Lythrum salicariae (Lythraceae) and various Apiaceae.
Celary (2005), citing many authors, lists the following plant species as nectar sources in Poland: Campanula sibirica, Campanula trachelium (Campanulaceae); Convolvulus arvensis (Convolvulaceae); Epilobium hirsutum (Onagraceae); Geranium pratense, Geranium sylvaticum (Geraniaceae); Lotus corniculatus (Fabaceae); Solidago virgaurea (Asteraceae); Stellaria media, Stellaria holosteoides, Stellaria graminea, Myosoton aquaticum (Caryophyllaceae) Rubus sp. (Rosaceae); Lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae); Stachys sylvatica, Thymus pulegioides (Lamiaceae); Ranunculus spp. (Ranunculaceae).
In countries neighbouring Poland, the list of forage sources includes: Anthemis tinctoria, Leontodon autumnalis, Leucanthemum vulgare (Asteraceae); Comarum palustre, Rubus fruticosus (Rosaceae); Frangula alnus (Rhamnaceae); Geranium palustre (Geraniaceae); Lycopus europaeus, Salvia pratensis (Lamiaceae); Myosotis palustris (Boraginaceae); Scrophularia nodosa (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).