INFLUENCE OF FIG SIZE ON POLLINATION BE HAVIOUR OF FIG WASPS (AGAONIDAE: HYMENOPTERA)

Fig pollinating wasps lay their eggs in the fig flowers. It is assumed that there is a short span of time during which a fig crop should be pollinated. Hence, pollination of figs is thought to depend on efficiency of the wasps in locating receptive trees. Attractiveness of three Ficus species, namely Ficus racemosa, F. drupacea and F. hispida to their pollinator wasps were analysed by correlation between foundress wasp number and fig size. Results show differential attraction of wasps to their respective host Ficus. This emphasizes the need for explaining how fig-pollinator mutualism is maintained.