Are There Wasps in Figs?
WouterFigs are a sweet, edible fruit found in many parts of the world. They are most often sold in jams or as a base for desserts. They are high in calcium and are also easy to digest. They are native to southern California, Texas, Tasmania, and Europe. They are available year-round. They are sold by themselves, and are popular varieties include Mission, Brown Turkey, and Kadota.
Most figs are pollinated by wasps. These insects are part of a nursery pollination mutualism with the fig tree. Their life cycle is complex and different for different species of wasps.
In order to pollinate a fig, a female wasp must burrow into the fig and lay her eggs inside it. After laying her eggs, she dies. Her eggs are then taken to other figs, where they are laid by other female wasps.
The fig produces a special enzyme called ficain that breaks down the exoskeleton of the female wasp. As the fruit ripens, the fig wasp digests the dead wasp and becomes protein. The fig wasp larvae then feed on the interior of the fig for several weeks. They can then develop into adults.
Some figs produce pollen without the help of wasps. These are called syconia figs. These figs ripen on the branches of the fig tree, but not on the flower. Unlike pollinating wasps, these non-pollinating species act as parasites, feeding off the fig tree. Their eggs are also deposited before the fig ripens.
