Story perspectives
Why Most Supermarket Figs Lack Pollinating Wasps
9/28/2025
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Story summary
- The fig-wasp mutualism is essential to many fig species.
- Most supermarket figs, including Mission and Brown Turkey, lack wasps due to pollination needs.
- Some varieties, like Smyrna and Calimyrna, require pollination and may contain wasps. Male wasps die in caprifigs after mating.
- If a wasp dies inside a fig, it decomposes during maturation with no visible remains.
