MEGASTIGMUS PINUS IN THE SEED OF ABIES NOBILIS. 1 79 



specimens came from Colorado, the home of one variety of the 

 Douglas fir. 



M. strobilobius was first recorded by Ratzeburg in 1848 from 

 seeds of Abies pectinata. It has been recorded in the United 

 States by Crosby. In Britain it has been found by Mr A, C. 

 Forbes and has been described by Mr Gillanders. 



Megastigmus pinus, Parfitt. — This species was first described by 

 Parfitt in 1857. Various coniferous species had been named as 

 hosts of the species, but there are authentic records of its living 

 in the seeds of Abies nobilis. In the National Collection at the 

 British Museum, in addition to the 1857 record, there are two 

 records : one of two males and two females from Mr A. Murray, 

 and a British record in 1904 of specimens received from Wm. 

 Vicary, Esq. The present record is of a female specimen from 

 the seeds of Abies nobilis. It was found dead on 9th July among 

 some seeds which were to be used as a museum exhibit. The 

 occurrence of the insect suggested an examination of the seed 

 for traces of damage. Out of no seeds, four were found which 

 had certainly been attacked by an insect grub. A dissection of 

 one of these seeds showed it to be completely destroyed ; a 

 small amount of frass was left within the empty shell. The seeds 

 among which those damaged individuals were found were sent 

 over by a firm of German nurserymen in Hamburg. Present 

 circumstances render an inquiry about the locality of the seed 

 impossible. The fact that home collected seeds in this country 

 germinate freely render it possible that they were from German- 

 grown trees. 



Abies nobilis seeds do not retain their power of germination 

 for more than one winter, and they are sensitive to drought. 

 These facts would probably point to October 19 13 as the date 

 on which the seeds were collected. The record and the speci- 

 men are of interest as there are at present no details of the 

 insect's biology : it is possible that it may direct attention to 

 the cause of the damage. Material and information which will 

 help to complete the life-history would be welcomed. 



Abies nobilis as a park tree is well knovvn, and varieties of it 

 are highly valued on account of their very beautiful appearance. 

 In such trees the occurrence of the insect named would be of 

 comparatively small importance. The tree in its own country is 

 valued on account of the timber, which is sometimes sold as 

 larch : it is, for indoor work, equally valuable, but does not 



