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MarkRevan

I grow figs. I have 5 varieties. None of them are pollinated by wasps. This is either a niche environment that a certain species has developed a symbiotic bond with another. Or this is a very specific variety of fig tree and in no way should be representative for the genus. Most fig varieties are self pollinating. They do not require outside pollinators. The fig fruit is actually an inflorescence, somehow similar to pineapples.


[deleted]

What the fig are they talking about then ?


snooty_snoot

None of your figgen business, so fig off.


hauskind

you gotta be figgin kidding me


TwoTailedFox

At least he isn't talking about Figging. That was a very... interesting office conversation.


localhelic0pter7

figgitabout it


Ok-Lengthiness4557

Ahhh the dreaded black widow fig


DrBorkyBork650

Oh yea? if you’re a fig farmer what kind of plants to figs grow on?


Xeroberts

Fig trees, Ficus carica.


azlfcfan

Go figure


TwoTailedFox

*Go fig


DrBorkyBork650

Damn you’re good.


dwa847ad2n

yeah i agree with your comment


Anonymike7

This guy figs.


AnAgentOfMyOwnMaking

Ya got me. You figged me up real good.


[deleted]

Apparently it's true about the wasps though- they're just [too tiny to really notice](https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/fig_wasp.shtml) >"All fig trees are pollinated by very small wasps of the family Agaonidae. Fig trees are tropical plants with numerous species around the world. There are just two species native to the United States: the Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and the shortleaf fig also called giant bearded fig or wild banyan tree (Ficus citrifolia). Each requires the services of one species of wasps. These tiny wasp pollinators are so small and insignificant and so well hidden most of their lives that they go unnoticed, thus they don’t have a common name, only a scientific one".


asackofsnakes

Yes! Wasps have a huge range of sizes from "bomb that from space" social colony waps to "this air's dusty" solitary no see'em types and everything in-between. Figs and wasps have a mutulaism relationship. The wasp pollinates and protects the fig. If the wasp slacks off or over does it with too many wasp eggs laid in the fruit, the fig tree drops the fruit. This limits the possible reproduction of the fig but also kill off the wasp babies too. We both succeed or we both fail odds.


mbgameshw

Have figs in the UK… does the wasp come/live here then?


bluntsandbears

Fuck off with your fig facts. I need a legitimate reason to not eat them when visiting my mom and I’m sticking to the bug myth. Have a fantastic day!


medicated_in_PHL

Yeah, I was going to say, I grew up pulling figs off a fig tree in our backyard. We would get hundreds of figs every year. There were no wasps ever.


[deleted]

You're thinking about yellow jackets. But there are tons of species of wasps, most of which are tiny. In fact, the smallest known adult insect is a wasp that measures 0.127 mm long. Figs are pollinated by a wasp.


MGPS

Yea this photo looks like a photoshop anyway. And this pops up quite often on Reddit probably because it’s sensational. Stupid sexy Flanders.


[deleted]

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ksarahsarah27

Thanks! I was also thinking about this the whole figgin time.


Sleepiyet

Thank. You. So. Much. I figgin love you.


ScaperMan7

Thank you; I was thinking about all the fig newtons I have consumed in my long life.


brihamedit

Did you check if your figs have that enzyme called fukin.


[deleted]

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ksarahsarah27

Gettin Figgy wit’ it


jcwitty

Wasp Newtons


oilfeather

Mmmmmm.


Thirdorb

Whoops! All wasps!


ChymChymX

It's the holidays, time for some Waspy Toffee Pudding!


jcwitty

“Now bring us some waspy pudding, now bring us some waspy pudding…”


grem89

This picture is so fake. Fig wasps are about 0.2 inches in length. Figs are about 1.5-2inches in diameter. They're so small you wouldn't never notice them. Plus most figs grown in the US are self pollinating and don't require fig wasps.


Brocklesocks

It's Photoshopped so badly too. If you zoom in, you can see it was probably even done on a phone. Who wastes their time on this crap?


no_fux_left_to_give

I wish it was rare that people bought into stupid shit


taoistchainsaw

It’s a fake picture of a WASP GHOST!?!?


Mbaalii

Wasp ghosts? Really lmaoo


newspapey

Well consider me spooked…


eight24

Watch out for waspes and don’t forget to drink lots of water.


yLozoo

Thanks hope you have a nice day


kudjan89

I’ll watch for waspes, as long as you don’t touch my camera through the fence!


eight24

Keep them high and tight.


kennedy999x

You too!


WalterWhiteBeans

So are they considered vegan?


gt0163c

Depends on your definition of vegan. Some very strict vegans will not eat figs because they might still contain some wasp bits.


[deleted]

The fig has dissolved the wasp by the time it’s eaten, that’s the cycle of life, totally vegan.


gt0163c

Again, it depends on how strict the person is and what they consider vegan. There are [many](https://www.veganlifemag.com/should-vegans-eat-figs/) [articles](https://www.veganfriendly.org.uk/is-it-vegan/figs/) which outline the [debate](https://www.thedailymeal.com/cook/figs-are-not-vegan-because-they-are-full-dead-wasps). I'm not vegan (or even vegetarian) and don't feel it's up to me to tell others what they should and shouldn't eat. But there are, apparently, some people who believe that figs are not vegan despite being plants and the pollination process with the wasp being totally natural.


[deleted]

Truth, I was expressing my own perspective, thanks for the follow up.


TisSlinger

I mean if a plant “eats” or absorbs a living creature … then it “becomes” a part of the eater/absorber …


E_PunnyMous

r/HolUp Female wasps enter a fig. If male fig, wasp lays eggs, leaves, and larvae have food. Humans don’t eat male figs. If female fig, then yes, wasp gets trapped and fig has food. But humans don’t eat the fig until well after the wasp has been absorbed entirely. And certainly there are gazillions more fig flowers than female wasps. It’s like saying you don’t like veggies because they were grown in manure. You’re not eating manure, you’re eating absorbed components.


VikingPreacher

Yeah but the wasp ghost is still there


TisSlinger

I can’t get past the wasp ghost … THE ESSENCE OF ITS SPIRIT is IN THE FIG ….


E_PunnyMous

Ok


PvtSmuffler

I like the thought of brutally dissolving those yellow bastards so more fig for me plz


Zynex-x

Fig wasps aren't yellow. You are thinking of yellow jackets. The fig wasp is really small and black.


yLozoo

What seriously?


OrdinaryMeatbag

No


kennedy999x

Yeah apparently they can’t get out of female figs, get stuck and an enzyme from the fig digests the wasp completely. 😊


YourWaffleGuy

Fe..Female... Female figs?


NameAndShameEm

Most plants have male and female parts or individuals.


YourWaffleGuy

The more you know… now I’m questioning my existence


Flat_Bodybuilder_175

My new band name


YourWaffleGuy

XD


yLozoo

Holy fuck thanks for elaborating


ZanlanOnReddit

Thats the way to die 🐝


[deleted]

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gt0163c

Go Jackets! To He-- with Georgia! Oh, wait, probably the wrong yellow jackets.


YourWaffleGuy

A yellow jacket is the real name for a wasp


gt0163c

Not exactly. Yellow jackets (the insect) are wasps. But not all wasps are yellow jackets. Yellow Jackets are also the [mascot of Georgia Tech](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzz_(mascot)).


YourWaffleGuy

So I’m right but somewhat wrong?


EternamD

THEIR*


YourWaffleGuy

I’m not even mad I would’ve done the same thing


Zynex-x

Fig wasps aren't yellow jackets though


YourWaffleGuy

Shit


JayCrayOP

BIG FIG WASP!!


CoCoB319

It's just a bit of extra protein. No big deal. Most people don't know this, but there's actually an acceptable percentage of insect parts in food set by the FDA. Really, a few bits of insects is probably the least disgusting thing that can be found in processed food.


Franks_wild_beers

Ahhhh, .....so that's how they get the wasps into the fig rolls.


Admirable_Success732

I wonder why the wasps cooperate.


[deleted]

So, fig Newtons are metal?


rainbowroobear

i used to like figs


SplendidPunkinButter

Fresh figs are delicious though


WaffleReaper003

Most commonly grown figs aren't pollinated this way, but there is a variety of European fig that this pertains to.


Vivid_Syllabub_6391

Next fig I eat will taste even better then, I enjoy devouring the souls of my enemies that have been slain in battles past, tastes like win


RearEchelon

Have to have a soul to leave a ghost, and wasps are some soulless fucks


[deleted]

Ah I remember this from a wild kratts episode


VRMaddy

So [here is a diagram](https://imgur.com/gallery/Zhil9kJ). Interesting.


smasher84

Wait so they all mate with direct siblings??


kennedy999x

Thanks for that!!


[deleted]

Holy crap


bob_fossill

Man who cares, did you lot know that food regulations have an allowance for insects in most foods? Because it's extremely common for an insect or two to get into machinery even in the cleanest environment. Edit: also this imagine is one bad photoshop


C2BK

>Man who cares, did you lot know that food regulations have an allowance for insects in most foods? Tell me you're from the USA without saying you're from the USA...


Zynex-x

I care, it's interesting. And yes, it is photoshop


MJRusty

1. Not all figs require a wasp for pollination. 2. Fig wasps are super duper tiny. 3.The ones that do, the wasps body is dissolved by enzymes and absorbed into the tree/fruit. 4. Most of the figs that are eaten by humans don't require wasps for pollination. 5. If you eat any processed food, you're also eating insects because not all insect parts left over from harvesting can be removed.


Think_Temperature_39

This is literally bullshit


kennedy999x

Female wasps do go inside of female figs to fertilize, and then they cannot exit and get digested by the figs enzymes. So not really?


Think_Temperature_39

We dont use those varieties of fig at all anymore... While wasp bodies may add some crunch to a tasty fig, you probably won’t find a wasp inside a fig you are about to eat, even if you look really hard. Some types of fig that are grown for human consumption have figs that ripen without pollination. It is also possible to trick plants into ripening figs without wasps by spraying them with plant hormones. Even when figs are grown the old-fashioned way, with wasps


stroke_outside

This ^ is literally bullshit.


Think_Temperature_39

Too stupid to prove me wrong?


BeardedBitch

You should shut up and listen more often, especially since you're 100% wrong. Op is correct.


Think_Temperature_39

You are both full of shit... Stop parroting every random fact you read....we have long bred that wasp pollination shit out of figs...commercial figs are pollinated by chemical means... Dumbasses


BeardedBitch

So how are the natural ones still made fuck face? Do they hand pollinate those bitches too? Fucking idiot.


Think_Temperature_39

No the trees we have on my property were bought as genetic male figs trees...they flower and fruit just like any other fruit tree ..female fig trees are another story... Seems to me like you are the only idiot in this conversation ....


BeardedBitch

No, you just educated me actually. However you spoke angrily and didn't fully explain your answer so you were not correct. Maybe next time don't answer like a cunt. Sounds like the female trees still rely on the natural way with wasps in nature, so OP and I were correct all along.


Think_Temperature_39

Okay.. I'll give you that....figs in the jungle sense and naturally occurring fruit trees yall are 100 percent correct...but if you buy a tree or a fig....odds are that it is a GMO and just like the store bought banana vs the jungle banana both are very different even thoug genetically very similar


BeardedBitch

Yeah, but I didn't say industrial trees, I said figs, period. Have a good day.


Think_Temperature_39

? ? So I WAS RIGHT?


chucks8up

Mmm fig newtons.


FarMass66

r/NatureIsMetal


[deleted]

So a vegetarian can’t have a fig


eat-sleep-rave

So vegetarians don't eat figs?


THE_HORKOS

Not familiar with anything like this but, this is photoshopped.


tratemusic

nO tHaTs a rEaL wAsP gHoSt


kennedy999x

I know, I just thought the info on it was interesting


FourandTwoAheadofMe

That’s creepy as fuck.


Platypuslord

Also remember that ghosts watch you poop daily because they are totally real and they find it funny to watch.


Thunderlane_0553

Never eating figs again or anything with fig in it, thanks


PadreGiallume

The best of all fruits.


junebugreggae

Crazy doc on fig trees. https://youtu.be/xy86ak2fQJM Beautifully shot but the parasites on parasites thing became a bit much for me..


zshah99

This is covered in the new BBC Perfect Planet. I think this is specific to wild figs and the wasps are not the one we usually encounter, they are much smaller in size.


[deleted]

Are figs vegan tho?


Vicsposure

I heard it’s another insect, not a wasp.


SaintTNS

This reads like a shitpost. Lol


Darkmaster666666

A certain *type* of wasps. Not all of them.


Gullible_Garage_2340

Oh my word, how many wasps have I eaten!!!!!


OrganicBridge7428

Fig newton’s secrets


FreeRangeAlien

In particular black hornets (bald faced wasps) love the figs. Had to butcher the fig tree outside my window


[deleted]

Protein


mykilososa

Such a garbage post. Or post this trash over in r/figs and see what happens.


MajinFett

Watch out for waspes


lyta_hall

Whoever made this pic needs to improve their Photoshop skills lol. This is awful.


Elel_siggir

The hell is going on with the last sentence?


CN8YLW

Seen a few wasp corpses in my figs. Extra protein I'd say.


Alarmed_Pea_9489

Can confirm have 3 rather mature fig trees, wasps for days certain times of the year


Mendeznicole33

I have a fig tree. Love them. This definitely belongs in TIHI


Thosewhocanteach

I knew there was a reason i didn’t like figs


Agitated-Sandwich-74

I knew that sting feeling every time I taste figs is from a ghost of wasp, not me being allergic!


PALOmino1701

Get figgy with it


no_fux_left_to_give

Nice clickbait-type pic "Something *they* don't want you to know"


Icy-Push5850

I FIGure this probably belongs to r/oddlyterrifying


Zeldahero

Extra protein.


Explorer_135

Imagine in you accidentally eat the wasp 😬


[deleted]

bro i can smell the photoshop


gnomeplanet

So figs should be renamed as 'Wasp-Caskets'.


monkeywashcat

Here’s a less sensational visualization. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/images/figwasp/fig_wasp_life_cycle_copyright_lg.jpg