Figs Contain Digested Wasps

The unique relationship between the fig and the fig wasp is a classic example of mutualism, a partnership where two species have evolved to depend entirely on each other. A fig is not a typical fruit (Review), but an inverted flower cluster called a syconium. For it to be pollinated and develop seeds, a very specific visitor must crawl inside its tiny opening. This is the sole purpose of the female fig wasp, who undertakes a one-way journey to find a fig in which to lay her eggs.

The passage into the fig is so tight that the wasp's wings and antennae are torn off, trapping her inside forever. Once inside, she lays her eggs and, in the process, pollinates the internal flowers before she dies. The fig then begins to ripen, and it releases a powerful enzyme called ficin. This enzyme completely breaks down the wasp’s body, recycling her into proteins that nourish the developing fruit. The tiny crunch you might notice when eating a fig comes from its numerous seeds, not the remnants of a wasp.

Before you swear off your favorite fruit spread, however, it's important to know that this natural drama is often bypassed in modern agriculture. Many of the most common commercial fig varieties, like the Black Mission or Brown Turkey, are parthenocarpic. This means they are self-pollinating and can produce fruit without ever needing a visit from a wasp, ensuring that most figs you find in a grocery store are completely insect-free.