What is the Douglas fir seed chalcid and what is notable about its overwintering stage?

• A. A tiny wasp that feeds on Douglas fir seeds and overwinters inside the seed coat as grubs.
• B. A moth that bores cones and overwinters as an adult on bark.
• C. A beetle that consumes needles and overwinters in leaf litter.
• D. A fly that lays eggs in soil and overwinters as pupa

Answer: (A)

The Douglas-fir seed chalcid is a very small wasp that targets seeds inside Douglas-fir cones. Females lay eggs in developing seeds, and the larvae feed on the seed tissue inside those seeds. A notable aspect of its lifecycle is where it overwinters: the larvae spend the winter inside the seed coat, effectively living inside the seed itself. They remain as grubs through the cold months and resume development to pupate as conditions warm, producing adults that continue the cycle. This internal, seed-based overwintering distinguishes it from many other overwintering insects that hide under bark or in leaf litter.