Figs are a unique fruit that are actually made possible through the help of wasps. Specifically, a tiny insect called the fig wasp is crucial in the pollination and production of figs. The fig wasp is a type of wasp that has co-evolved with the fig tree over millions of years. The female fig wasp enters the fig through a small opening called the ostiole, which is located on the fruit's bottom end. The fig fruit provides a safe haven for the wasp to lay its eggs, as well as a source of food for the developing wasp larvae. While inside the fig, the female fig wasp pollinates the flowers, allowing the fruit to develop seeds. However, the fig fruit also contains an enzyme called ficin, which will eventually break down the dead wasp, digesting it and incorporating it into the fruit. Once the wasp eggs have hatched and the young wasps have matured, the male wasps will dig tunnels through the fig's flesh, allowing the female wasps to leave and search for new figs to colonize. It's worth noting that most commercially available figs that we consume don't contain wasp remnants, as the fruits are harvested before the wasps can complete their life cycle inside. However, the fact that figs rely on the fig wasp for pollination and production makes them a unique and fascinating example of the intricate relationships that exist in the natural world. #figs #figwasp #pollination #fruit #nature #ecology #coevolution #insects #entomology #symbiosis #plantbiology #botany #foodscience #agriculture #gardening #healthyeating #nutritious #vegan #vegetarian #foodie #foodblogger #foodphotography #foodlover #delicious #yum #foodfacts #funfacts #naturefacts #biodiversity #conservation