Fig wasps (Chalcidoidea; Agaonidae) are intimately associated with the
750 or so species of fig trees (Ficus, Moraceae). Each tree species i
s usually pollinated by a single species of wasp belonging to the subf
amily Agaoninae, while other wasps of the family are parasitoids or se
ed predators. Previous experiments have shown that the wasps are attra
cted to the trees by volatiles emanating from the figs. Using fig-bear
ing trees and arrays of sticky traps baited with figs, we investigated
the specificity of wasp attraction and its timing. The pollinators of
two closely related Ficus species were specifically attracted to figs
of their host species and only at the time when figs were ready to be
pollinated. Some nonpollinating fig wasps appear to respond to the sa
me volatile cues.