Species of wasp
Wiebesia pumilae is a fig wasp species in Genus Wiebesia, Family Agaonidae. W. pumilae is the pollinator of Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang (Jelly Fig) and Ficus pumila var. pumila (Creeping Fig).[1] The scientific name was first published as Blastophaga pumilae in 1967 by Hill.[2]
W. pumilae are found in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.[2][3] There are 3 pollinators of Ficus pumila: Wiebesia pumilae sp.1, Wiebesia pumilae sp.2, Wiebesia pumilae sp.3.[4]
Morphology
Male Wiebesia pumilae is 3.1–3.2 mm in length. Its body colour is yellow brown.[2]
Female Wiebesia pumilae is 2.0–2.8 mm in length, with forward ovipositor. Its body colour is dark brown with yellowish tibiae and tarsi.[2]
Pollination
The relationship of fig and fig wasp is a classic example of obligate mutualism and coevolution. Only pollinating wasps pollinate the figs, while fig wasps only lay their eggs inside the fig ovules.[5][6]
Jelly fig pollinating W. pumilae are different from Creeping fig pollinating W. pumilae in gene expression.[7] The genetic incompatibility can be caused by altitudinal adaptations, since jelly fig and creeping fig prefer different habitat altitudes.[8]
Creeping fig wasps can enter receptive female Jelly fig syconia and bear seeds, but they cannot enter its male syconia.[1] Jelly fig wasps can enter both receptive female Creeping fig syconia and bear seeds and can oviposit there as well.[1]
Life Cycle of Wiebesia pumilae
Pre-receptive stage
Wiebesia pumilae spend most of their time in larvae stage, from three weeks to nine months.[9][10][11][12] Wiebesia pumilae larvae grow in a galled ovule inside fig syconia.[13]
Receptive stage
During the receptive stage, adult female Wiebesia pumilae are attracted by host-specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs).[1] VOCs aid adult female wasps to locate host figs. Female wasps enter figs through ostiole.[13]
Post-receptive stage
Wiebesia pumilae pollinate fig flowers and lay eggs inside their ovules.[13] After oviposition, the larvae feed on gall tissue and mature alongside fig seeds and pollen grains.[13]
Mature stage
As fertilised female pollinating wasps reach maturity, they leave their original fig and transfer pollen to another tree.[13]
