Studies on the Balsam-Fir Seed Chalcid, Megastigmus specularis Walley (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae)

Abstract

The balsam-fir seed chalcid, Megastigmus specularis Walley, destroys a high percentage of seeds of balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. The insect was first recorded in Canada in 1928 from New Brunswick and in 1932 was described by Walley (1932). It has been taken in the United States as far west as Minnesota (Peck, 1951). In 1953 the insect was reared from seeds of balsam fir taken at the Forest Nursery Station, Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Further investigations in 1954 showed the insect to be abundant at Indian Head, and also in natural stands of balsam fir in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba.