›› 2007, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (4): 389-394.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Reproductive characteristics of two non-pollinating fig wasps of Philotrypesis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in Ficus hispida figs

ZHAI Shu-Wei, YANG Da-Rong, PENG Yan-Qiong, SHI Zhang-Hong, BAI Li-Fen   

  1. (Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China)
  • Online:2007-05-22 Published:2007-08-20
  • Contact: YANG Da-Rong

Abstract: From August to November 2005, the ovipositing behaviour of two non-pollinating fig wasps of Philotrypesis in Ficus hispida figs were observed, the figs at post-flora phase were dissected to test the distribution patterns of galls used by the two non-pollinating wasps, and the quantity of wasps in figs were counted from different fig crops of three different years. The results indicated that Philotrypesis pilosa and Philotrypesis sp. (probably a new species undescribed) oviposit from outside the figs and use their long ovipositors to reach the ovules inside. Both are not able to pollinate for their hosts, so they are non-pollinating fig wasps. P. pilosa oviposits in the same day as the fig wasp pollinators, and they can oviposit on the syconia for two days. Philotrypesis  sp. oviposits much later, 6 to 13 days later than the pollinators. The ovaries inside the post-floral phase male syconium of F. hispida were classified into three layers according to pedicel length: wall layer (with short pedicel), intermediate and inner layer (with long pedicel). The offspring of two Philotrypesis species prefer to grow in the ovaries close to the wall layer, and rarely exist in the ovaries in inner layer. Under natural conditions, the ratio of the figs of F. hispida with P. pilosa and Philotrypesis sp. varied between different seasons and sampled trees. However, the ratio of the figs with Philotrypesis sp. and the number of the offspring of Philotrypesis sp. in a syconium were all higher than those of P. pilosa. This may be related to the fact that Philotrypesis sp. has a longer time to oviposit.

Key words: Ficus hispida, non-pollinating fig wasps, Philotrypesis, reproductive strategies, oviposition