Ab. Ware et Sg. Compton, DISPERSAL OF ADULT FEMALE FIG WASPS .1. ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES, Entomologia experimentalis et applicata, 73(3), 1994, pp. 221-229
Ficus burtt-davyi, like most other fig species (Ficus, Moraceae), is e
xclusively pollinated by its own unique species of fig wasp, in this c
ase Elisabethiella baijnathi (Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae). Because fig cr
op development on any one tree is usually synchronised, the small and
short-lived female wasps have to migrate and find other trees bearing
figs which are at suitable stage of development for oviposition. Howev
er, the likelihood of successful location and subsequent arrival at a
new host tree is dependent on distance and the effect of environmental
factors such as wind and temperature. This study examines the relatio
nship between ambient temperatures and the timing of fig wasps emergen
ce from their natal figs and the commencement of their dispersal fligh
t. The behaviour of the wasps arriving at figs which were ready to be
pollinated was also examined. The female wasps did not appear to disti
nguish between the figs and other parts of the tree when in flight. Ho
wever, after landing on the tree their search for figs was more direct
ed as they visited more figs than leaves. Short-range recognition of f
igs appears to be by contact chemo-reception, but the wasps showed a p
reference for entering figs which did not already contain a female was
p.