Ab. Ware et al., FIG VOLATILES - THEIR ROLE IN ATTRACTING POLLINATORS AND MAINTAINING POLLINATOR SPECIFICITY, Plant systematics and evolution, 186(3-4), 1993, pp. 147-156
Each fig tree species (Ficus) is totally dependent on a specific speci
es of wasp for pollination and the larvae of these wasps only develop
in the ovules of their specific Ficus host. Because the fig crop on an
y particular tree is generally highly synchronized, the short-lived fe
male wasps must leave their natal tree in order to find figs which are
suitable for oviposition. Chemical volatiles produced by figs when th
ey are ready for pollination are thought to be the means by which the
wasps detect a suitable host. Gas chromatograms of the fig volatiles o
f 7 species of Ficus showed them to be species specific. Age related c
hanges in the volatile profiles were noted as extra volatiles are prod
uced when the figs were ready for pollination.