Why Do We Eat Fig Wasps?
Figs are a fruit that is eaten as a dessert, in jams and chutneys, and sometimes as a base for smoky meats. They are sold in supermarkets, but are also sold in a variety of other places, such as at the garden center. In addition to being a tasty treat, figs are often associated with bugs. The presence of bugs and wasps may cause some vegetarians to eschew figs.
The presence of wasps is actually beneficial to the fig tree. They provide pollination for some figs, which in turn produce fruit. Some figs do not require wasps for pollination, which means that the fruit can be eaten without the wasps.
The fig tree produces a special chemical called ficin. This enzyme breaks down the exoskeletons of the fig wasp. The exoskeleton is then digested by the fig into protein. The enzyme also adds flavour to the ripe fruit.
The fig’s name is derived from its function. The female fig wasp lays eggs inside the male fig. These eggs are then fertilized by the pollen. The female wasp then carries the pollen to a new fig. The pollen is then transferred into the ovules of the female fig. This process is called ovipositing.
Although the fig wasp does not produce food, the process of ovipositing is actually more complicated than it sounds. It takes a special breed of wasp and a small opening in the fig. This opening allows the pollinating wasp to enter the florets of the fig.