HYMENOPTERA SAW-FLIES, ETC. 199 



"The light seed blown through by the fan at cleaning time should 

 be burnt at once, and where there has been attack, this will probably 

 account for many of the pests." 



As an insect-pest the Megastigmus is a very good case in point, as 

 showing that forest entomology is a very large and imperfectly worked 

 field. Though the insect had not been noticed until about 1897 or so 

 by Mr Crozier, still it has, no doubt, been in the country for a very 

 long period. At the same time, it is quite likely that its numbers have 

 been considerably increased with imported seed from Western North 

 America. It is possible that it may be very abundant on other 

 estates throughout the country, either as an insect-pest where the 

 seed of Douglas fir is available, or otherwise adapting itself as a 

 parasite, either on oak-galls or other suitable hosts. 



Megastigmus strobilobius, Eatz. 



Referring to the remarks on the previous species, and the probabil- 

 ity of other species of Megastigmus in the country, I received in the 

 early spring of 1906 a few seeds of silver fir containing larvae from 

 Mr A. C. Forbes, of the Armstrong College, JSTewcastle-on-Tyne, who 

 had received a single cone from Longleat, Wiltshire. Fig. 193 is 

 a representation of the injured seed. 



On July 15 three female insects emerged, and the specimens were 

 quite distinct in colour and other characters 

 from the previous species, and I made the 

 following note : 



Three specimens, all females. Black 

 marked with yellow, vertex of the head 

 black. Central portion of face yellow. 

 Eyes red-brown. Antennae blackish-brown 

 (entire length); whole pronotum black. Fig> 193 ._seeds of silver fir (Abies 

 Wings hyaline black. Fore -legs, coxa, SSrtSSnffiSf * MegMtiS " 

 and tibia yellow, tarsus blackish. 2nd 



and 3rd pairs of legs yellow throughout, or darkish coxa, and other 

 parts yellow. Abdomen on dorsal surface black, with yellow 

 markings ; under surface yellow. 



In ' Forstinsektenkunde,' by Judeich and Nitsche, there is a 

 note to the effect that Wachtl should not have priority for the 



