Most figs grown and sold in the United States are cultivated varieties that are self-pollinating. However, wild caducous figs do require pollination by female wasps to produce seeds.
The female wasp crawls into a tiny opening in the fig flower, loses her wings and antennae, and dies inside the fruit. This obligate mutualism is an important part of the fig plant’s life cycle.
Pollination
Many plant-based foods require pollination to grow and mature, a process that involves insects. Most often, bees, flies, moths, bats, and butterflies do the job for us by flying from flower to flower, picking up pollen on their bodies as they go. But for some plants, such as figs, the task is more complicated.
Figs are unique in that they require the help of a type of wasp called a fig wasp to reproduce. Female fig wasps enter male fig flowers through a small opening known as the ostiole, where they lay their eggs. The narrow opening often knocks the wasp’s wings off in the process, preventing the wasp from leaving once it has laid her eggs. Thus, the wasp is trapped inside the fig and eventually dies. When the fig wasp dies, she leaves behind pollen. The pollen then fertilizes the fig’s seeds and causes it to grow and mature.
For this reason, some vegans avoid consuming figs and products made from them because they involve the death of a wasp. This seems counterintuitive, since the fig itself is a plant-based food. However, some people believe that consuming plant-based foods doesn’t necessarily require a “relationship” with animals, and thus does not constitute animal exploitation as defined by veganism.
It’s important to note that the fig-wasp relationship is an example of a mutualism rather than a parasitic relationship. Both the fig and the wasp benefit from this relationship, as it would be difficult for either to survive without the other. Furthermore, the wasp’s death is unavoidable, as it happens near the end of her life when she is entering the fig to lay her eggs.
Also, the fig produces an enzyme that digests its own body before it leaves, so there is no chance that we will unknowingly consume the wasp’s body parts when we bite into a fig. Therefore, figs, and the fig products we buy from them, are considered vegan by most people. But, if you do have an allergy to figs or fig-derived products, it’s best to check the labels before buying them.
Wasps
Figs are an extremely popular fruit around the world, eaten in salads, desserts and on their own. They’re also considered vegan-friendly, as they’re free from animal products and derived from plant matter. However, recently there has been a growing concern that figs aren’t actually vegan, due to the fact that they depend on wasps for pollination. This means that the wasps must die in the process, which some people consider to be against vegan principles.
Like all flowers, figs must be pollinated in order to produce seeds and reproduce. The wind cannot do this, and bees don’t work on figs (they have too narrow a space to enter). Instead, figs are pollinated by female fig wasps, who crawl into the inverted flowers to lay their eggs. The wasps often lose their wings or antennae during this process, meaning that they become trapped inside the fig and can’t get out again. Eventually, the wasp will die, and her body is digested by the fig’s latex sap. This pollination is essential for both the fig and the wasp, as they’re unable to reproduce without each other.
The relationship between the fig and the wasp is unique, as the two evolved alongside each other. The fig provides shelter, food and water for the wasp, while the wasp pollinates the fig and gives it its distinct shape and flavor.
Unfortunately, the fig-wasp partnership is threatened by climate change. Warmer temperatures will shorten the lifespan of the wasp and cause her to have more difficulty mating. This will lead to fewer offspring for both species, and could mean that figs won’t be able to reproduce in the future.
Currently, the majority of figs eaten are commercially grown and do not require wasps for pollination. However, farmers do use natural methods to induce ripening in some fig types. This method involves spraying plant hormones onto the skin of the unripened fig. This allows the fig to mature while still being vegan-friendly. It’s important to always check the ingredients on any fig-containing foods, as there are many other ingredients that have not been certified as vegan.
Seeds
Many people choose to follow a vegan diet because they want to reduce their consumption of foods derived from animals. However, the definition of veganism is more than just avoiding animal products and ingredients; it also requires that those following this dietary choice seek out nutritionally rich plant-based foods. This can include figs, which are known to be rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, fiber, folate, and magnesium. Despite their health benefits, some people question whether figs are vegan because of how they are pollinated.
Unlike other fruits, figs are not self-pollinating, and therefore must rely on pollinator wasps to set fruit. Unfortunately, this symbiotic relationship comes at a price, as the wasps will inevitably die during the process of pollination. This has led some vegans to reject figs as a viable food option.
The fig’s inverted shape means that it can’t be pollinated by wind or bees, so it must rely on wasps to fertilize its flowers. The female wasp enters the fig flower through a small opening and loses her wings and antennae in the process. Once she has deposited her eggs, she will die within the fig and her body will be digested by enzymes within the fig.
This symbiotic relationship between figs and wasps is a classic example of natural co-evolution. While the figs depend on wasps for pollination, the wasps provide protection from predators while laying their eggs. The figs then use the wasps’ bodies as fertilizer, and the wasps have an opportunity to extend their short lives by pollinating other plants in the wild.
While the fig-wasp relationship may make some people question whether figs are vegan, it should be noted that most commercially available figs do not contain dead wasps. The majority of figs sold in the United States are common figs, and these do not require wasp pollination to set fruit. Other fig varieties, such as caducous figs, are used to make dried figs and do require wasp pollination. However, these are a very small percentage of the total fig industry.
Genetics
Veganism is a lifestyle that excludes all foods containing meat, eggs, dairy, gelatin (derived from animal skin and bones), and any other ingredients sourced from animals. It’s also important for vegans to check the ingredients list on all food products to ensure there are no traces of any animal-derived products. This includes figs, as the sweet fruit is often used in vegan recipes. Thankfully, most commercial figs are 100% vegan and do not contain any ingredients derived from animals. Interestingly, however, some vegans consider figs to be unsuitable for their diet because of the unique way that figs are pollinated.
When most people think of pollination, they picture a bumblebee scurrying from flower to flower, sprinkling yellow pollen in the process. But this isn’t the case for all types of fruits and vegetables. In fact, some figs require the help of specific types of wasps in order to grow and produce fruit. This mutually beneficial relationship is known as a symbiotic relationship or co-existence.
According to Healthline, figs have narrow openings that allow female wasps to crawl inside and lay their eggs. The female wasp’s wings and antennae are then broken off during this process, causing her to die within the fig. The fig then digests the wasp’s body using an enzyme. Once the wasp’s eggs hatch, the larvae mate with fig pollen and eventually crawl out of the fig, carrying the pollen they need to continue their lifecycle.
Because the fig is a type of enclosed, inverted flower, it cannot rely on bees or the wind to spread its pollen. Instead, it must rely on fig wasps to help it reproduce. This unique process has caused some vegans to avoid figs because they believe the wasps are exploited during the pollination process. Others, on the other hand, are able to see that the process isn’t an act of exploitation or cruelty and that it actually helps the fig reproduce. Regardless of how you feel about the process, it is important to always check the ingredients on all fig-derived foods and products to make sure they are completely vegan.
