Macropis europaea, European Oil Bee, specimen collected by Heinrich Friese in Austria

Sometimes an entire group of bees develops a relationship with one group of plants. The 16 little species of Macropis Oil Bees are such a case. They only seek pollen and oil from plants within the genus Lysimachia. What’s more they only seek the members of that tribe of plants that produce the gift of oil, some species of Lysimachia do not produce oil and thus are never visited by these bees. Macropis Oil Bees use the oils provided by these plants to waterproof their nests, moisten their load of pollen as they forage, and to feed their young.

These are bees of the northern hemisphere, found only in North America, Europe and northern Asia matching the bulk of the distribution of Lysimachia species, which thrive in temperate climates. European species appear to be doing well but North American ones appear to have mysteriously crashed and they are now quite rare and their one North American nest parasite (Epeoloides pilosula) is almost extinct, whereas its European relative, E. coecutiens, remains quite common.

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Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

Further in Summer than the Birds Pathetic from the Grass A minor Nation celebrates Its unobtrusive Mass. No Ordinance be seen So gradual the Grace A pensive Custom it becomes Enlarging Loneliness. Antiquest felt at Noon When August burning low Arise this spectral Canticle Repose to typify Remit as yet no Grace No Furrow on the Glow Yet a Druidic Difference Enhances Nature now

      -- Emily Dickinson

Contact information: Sam Droege sdroege@usgs.gov