Is There Wasps in Figs?
Figs are sweet, edible fruits. They are grown in many parts of the world, including the Mediterranean and Asian countries. These fruits are often used as a base for desserts and jams. They are also sold by themselves or in combination with other products. They are often grown in balmy climates. They are often sold in supermarkets as well. Some people do not like them.
Some figs are pollinated by wasps. Other figs are not. Wasps are classified into pollinating and non-pollinating species. Pollinating wasps belong to the family Agaonidae. Non-pollinating wasps belong to several groups in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. Non-pollinating wasps also act as parasites. They deposit their eggs into the fig before it hardens.
Pollinating wasps are part of an obligate nursery pollination mutualism with fig trees. These wasps are found in most commercially grown figs. The life cycle of these wasps is different for each species.
Male fig wasps are flightless. They tunnel out of the male fruit and into the female fig. They also dig a hole through the fig for the female to escape. After mating, the female fig wasp lays eggs in the male fig. She then carries the pollen to other figs.
The female fig wasp burrows through the male fig. The female wasp cannot lay eggs inside the female fig. This is because figs are inverted flowers. The pollen is carried by the wasp from the male fig to the female fig.