Do Dried Figs Contain Wasps?

Whether you are vegan or just looking for an alternative to animal products, you might be wondering if dried figs contain wasps. They are a good source of dietary fiber and appetite satisfying. However, you need to be careful. There are several types of figs, and some may not contain wasps.

There are two types of figs, male and female. Female figs produce inedible syconia, while male figs produce pollen-bearing male flowers. Some figs ripen without pollination, but some may require wasps to produce ripe figs.

The process of pollination for figs is complicated. The wasps are specialized for this purpose. They are also important ecologically. They help keep the fig plant alive and are essential to the jungle ecosystem. Without them, figs would not exist.

Wasps are small insects, usually about 1.5 millimeters long. They are used to pollinate fig flowers. Their exoskeletons are broken down by the fruit and are absorbed back into the fig. An enzyme called ficin breaks the exoskeleton down into protein. The protein is consumed by a proteolytic enzyme in the latex. Figs also digest the exoskeletons of dead wasps as they ripen.

Wasps can also be found in other foods, such as avocados, avocado pits, and mangoes. Wasps in these foods may be a good source of protein. However, they may not be a good substitute for figs. You should be sure to check for wasps before eating.

Aside from fig wasps, you may also find fig worms in some figs. They are a common discovery in figs. These worms are a bit smaller than wasps.