A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF FIG WASP, EUPRISTINA VERTICILLATA AND ITS KEY ROLE IN THE POLLINATION OF FIG TREE, FICUS MICROCARPA

Abstract

Fig wasps are apparently irrelevant insects which have an inseparable and delicate relationship with fig trees as they both try to maintain a delicate balance for survival. The fig trees are dependent on fig wasps for growth, reproduction and the perpetuation of their species. These wasps have considerably adapted to the morphological changes shown by the fig fruits. Hence a preliminary study had been made to study the life history of the fig wasp, Eupristina verticillata and its key role in the pollination of fig tree, Ficus microcarpa. There exists a mutualism between fig wasps and fig trees and the behavioural aspects shown by the wasps are highly suited for their living inside the fig fruit bodies. These wasps are the ones which pollinate the fig trees and in turn the fig trees provide nutrition and shelter to these wasps. The ratio of number of females to males is in such a way that many fig tree species can be pollinated at a time. The males occupy about only 25% of the total population. They show remarkable reproductive patterns which offer an environment for the interplay between the fig and the fig wasps.