Fig Wasp Life Cycle
by Nicolle R. Fuller
Title
Fig Wasp Life Cycle
Artist
Nicolle R. Fuller
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Fig wasp life cycle, illustration. The common fig (Ficus carica) has a symbiotic relationship with the wasp Blastophaga psenes, which pollinates the flowers. This normal cycle is shown in the main cycle, with the adult wasp carrying pollen (yellow) to pollinate the fig it lays its eggs in. The development and hatching are shown in the other stages. In some cases, wasps try to lay their eggs without pollinating the fig flowers (lower left, no pollen grain), and the fig tree will often prematurely drop the fig to 'punish' the 'cheater' wasp. This is an example of a symbiotic relationship where one side attempts to gain the benefits of the system without reciprocating.
Uploaded
October 7th, 2018
Embed
Share
Comments
There are no comments for Fig Wasp Life Cycle. Click here to post the first comment.