Blastophaga

/blæsˈtɑf.ə.ɡə/ noun

Definition

A genus of tiny wasps that live inside fig fruits and help pollinate the fig flowers while laying their own eggs.

Etymology

From Greek 'blastos' (germ/bud) + 'phagos' (eater). Named for the insect's intimate relationship with fig reproduction, where it eats developing fig tissue.

Kelly Says

Fig wasps are one of nature's most extreme mutualisms—the wasp can only reproduce inside figs, and figs can only reproduce through these wasps; they've been locked in evolutionary dance for millions of years.

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