Fig Trees & Wasps: Do Figs Have Dead Wasps in Them?

Summary

In this video, Ross, the Fig Boss, debunks the myth that all figs contain a dead wasp. He explains that only a specific species of fig wasp, found in small regions like parts of California and Europe, is involved in the pollination of certain fig varieties. Most common figs grown at home don't require pollination and thus, won't have wasps inside. Ross also highlights the fascinating pollination process and the benefits of pollinated figs, which are larger, higher in quality, and have more complex flavors. He encourages viewers to appreciate the fig wasp's role in creating genetic diversity among fig varieties.

Takeaways

• 📣 A viral video on Instagram misled millions to believe that every fig contains a dead wasp, causing many to avoid eating figs.
• 🌳 Ross, the Fig Boss, aims to debunk this myth and educate viewers about the fascinating pollination process of figs.
• 🐜 The fig wasp, specifically the Blastophaga psenes species, is crucial for the pollination of figs, but it is not found in most parts of the United States.
• 🏡 For those growing figs at home, the likelihood of finding a wasp inside is very low, ranging from 5% to 10%.
• 🌍 The wasp is mainly found in specific regions of California, the Mediterranean, and parts of Europe, affecting the pollination of certain fig varieties.
• 🌱 Common figs grown at home do not require pollination to ripen, unlike some varieties like the Calimyrna Fig, which needs pollination to mature.
• 🐝 The pollination process involves the fig wasp entering a male fig, collecting pollen, and then transferring it to a female fig, where it lays eggs and dies.
• 🔬 An enzyme in figs called ficin helps to break down the wasp during the pollination process, ensuring it is undetectable by the time the fig is eaten.
• 🍇 Pollinated figs are larger, higher in quality, and have more complex flavors compared to non-pollinated ones, and their seeds are viable for planting.
• 🌟 The Fig Boss expresses gratitude to the fig wasp for its role in creating genetic diversity among fig varieties, which number in the thousands.

Q & A

What misconception about figs does the video aim to clear up?

The video aims to clear up the misconception that every fig contains a dead wasp inside it.

What is the relationship between the fig wasp and the fig tree?

The fig wasp and the fig tree have a mutualistic relationship, where the wasp helps in the pollination process of the fig tree.

In what parts of the United States is the fig wasp typically found?

The fig wasp is typically found in small pockets of California, both northern and southern, but not in other states like Arizona, Texas, or Nevada.

Why are most people unlikely to find a wasp inside the figs they grow at home?

Most people are unlikely to find a wasp inside the figs they grow at home because the fig wasp is not present in most parts of the country, and common figs grown at home do not require pollination.

What is the role of the fig wasp in the pollination process of figs?

The fig wasp enters the male fig, collects pollen, and then enters the female fig to pollinate it, laying eggs in the process. The wasp dies, but an enzyme in the fig called fisin disintegrates it, so by the time the fig is eaten, there is no trace of the wasp.

How does the fig wasp's pollination affect the quality of figs?

Pollinated figs are larger, higher in quality, taste better, have more interesting flavors, and their seeds are viable, which allows for the creation of new varieties.

What is the enzyme in figs that breaks down the wasp during the pollination process?

The enzyme in figs that breaks down the wasp during the pollination process is called fisin.

Why might someone want to grow their own figs and allow for pollination?

Growing your own figs and allowing for pollination can result in a greater genetic diversity, leading to thousands of different fig varieties with various sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and flavors.

What is the significance of the fig wasp to the variety of figs available today?

The fig wasp is significant to the variety of figs available today because it enables the pollination process, which is essential for creating new and diverse fig varieties.

How can viewers get more information about the fig wasp and its role in fig pollination?

Viewers can get more information about the fig wasp and its role in fig pollination by visiting the Fig Boss's blog at figboss.com, where there is a documentary and an article available for educational purposes.