MEGASTIGMUS SPERMOTROPHUS, WACHTL. 65 
species, and the result of this, with Mr Crozier’s observations 
on the cones harvested in 1905 from the Douglas fir and other 
conifers, we hope to state in a. further communication, Mean- 
while we may summarise the position thus :— 
1. That while the majority of the Chalcidide are parasitic 
on insects, some are feeders on plants. 
2. This phytophagic habit is proved and admitted for the 
genus /sosoma and its immediate allies. 
3. That the genus Megastzgmus contains species parasitic on 
insects. 
4. That it is proved that certain Megastigmus larve, whether 
parasitic on insects or not, can at least complete their growth 
on a seed or plant diet. 
5. That the weight of evidence goes to prove that certain 
Megastigmus species are not parasitic on insects, but are feeders 
on the seeds of plants, and that amongst these, are species very 
injurious to the seeds of conifers. 
6. The finding of parasitic and plant feeding species in the 
same genus is not impossible. In other animal groups we find 
forms closely related and yet with different food-habits. 
7. The seed-destroying species of Megastigmus may or may 
not once have been parasitic on insects, but if they were once 
parasitic, they have changed their diet to a vegetable one. 
Illustrations of such a change are not wanting in other animal 
groups. 
VOL. XIX. PART 1. E 
