Cluster Fig and Parasitic Wasps

Parasitic Wasp, Ceratosolen fusciceps

Not to be one to leave a cliff hanger, this is the parasitic wasp, Ceratosolen fusciceps, commonly found within the fruits of the Cluster Fig, Ficus racemosa, which grows naturally all around Australasia up through parts of India. The female wasp enters into the fruit through the ostiole, a natural opening, to lay her eggs, often loosing her wings upon entry. In exchange for the shelter of the fruit, the female will die within depositing pollen from other fig trees. Upon hatching, the wasps spend the majority of their life cycle within the fig until reaching a state of maturity. The males of this species are wingless, and serve only two purposes: to mate and to excavate a way out of the fruit for the winged females.

This photograph was also taken in Townsville, Australia.