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A few years ago, I got a little put off by the wasps-fig thing, then, after some research, I found that wasps have nothing to do with the species of figs that are consumed by humans

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Some species of figs consumed by humans require caprification (either only for the Fall figs — San Pedro group —, or for both the Fall and breba crop — Smyrna group) which involves getting male figs from specific varities (caprifigs) on the trees you want to pollinate. These figs are where the wasps lay their eggs, but they're not really edible.

Now, when the wasps emerge from the caprifigs with pollen, they go into the the edible figs and pollinate them, but they cannot lay eggs there due to their morphology. AFAIK they die inside.

That said, most varities, at least here in Portugal, don't require caprification. This list of varieties from Algarve shows few requiring caprification: https://www.drapalgarve.gov.pt/images/destaques/Livro_WEB_Fi...

Goodness what’s disturbing thing about the wasps. I needed to read something like this if I was ever to earth another fig. Thank you!

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