Why Are There Dead Wasps in Figs?
WouterFigs are usually grown in Mediterranean countries. These tropical plants are often sold as jams or as the base for desserts. They are also known as shortleaf figs. There are two species of figs. They are Ficus citrifolia and Ficus aurea. The Florida strangler fig is also known as Ficus aurea.
The pollination of figs is a complex process. It requires the cooperation of wasps. In order for a fig to ripen, it must be pollinated. The process requires the female wasp to choose the right fig tree, to lay eggs, and to spread pollen from the previous fig. It also requires the male wasp to dig an exit for the females. This process is not natural.
The female wasp measures 1.5 millimeters in size. It is a tiny insect that crawls through a tiny hole in the fruit. It is attracted to the scent of the fig tree.
It then enters the fig and pollinates the female flowers on the inside of the fig. It is also capable of carrying pollen from the male flowers. It can lay eggs in some flowers, but not in others. The female wasp cannot lay eggs in the ovary of some flowers.
After the female wasp lays her eggs, she dies. She is then buried inside the male fig. Her exoskeleton is broken down by a special enzyme called ficain. She then leaves the mother and brother for dead.
A mature male wasp can mate with a female before she is ready to lay her eggs. The female fig wasp then burrows inside the male fig. This causes the wasp to lose her wings.
