1984] 
Frank — Fig wasps 
305 
Table 2. Comparison of oviposition and pollination, and of pollen collecting, 
between Ceratosolen arabicus (Galil and Eisikowitch 1969, 1974), C. hewitti (Galil 
1973), and C. fusciceps (Joseph and Abdurahiman 1981), and Blastophaga quacira- 
ticeps (Galil and Snitzer-Pasternak 1970). These descriptions are schematic and are 
only meant to highlight obvious similarities and differences. See original papers for 
more details. 
Ceratosolen arabicus, C. hewitti and C. fusciceps 
Oviposition and Pollination: Probe synstigma with 
ovipositor — insert ovipositor down style — oviposit and 
simultaneously tremble and lower head to vigorously bite the 
stigmata within reach — forelegs lifted, forecoxae pressed to 
thorax — [femur and tarsi become parallel, and are moved 
together downward and posteriorly — when femur-tarsi are at 
right angles to coxae, arolia are moved into open pocket and 
collect pollen] — repeat brackets several times — tarsi are 
unfolded downward and touch stigmata — retract ovipositor 
— * repeat entire cycle. 
Pollen Collecting: Pollen pockets have membranous 
covers, as opposed to open pockets of Pegoscapus spp. (see 
Fig. 4). Male wasps detach anthers — females emerge from 
flowers in which they developed — ■ grasp anther — search for 
dehiscence slit — ■ widen slit with mandibles and antennae — ■ 
pollen lifted from anther to underside of thorax with arolia 
(32-98 alternate lifting, n=3) — * thorax curved so that covering 
membranes of thoracic pockets stand out — pollen pushed 
into thoracic pockets with combs on forecoxae — males chew 
exit tunnel — females leave fig. 
Blastophaga quadraticeps 
Oviposition and Pollination: As in C. arabicus, except 
body is almost static during oviposition, head is motionless 
and no biting of synstigma occurs. 
Pollen Collecting: Pockets have membranous covers. 
Male wasps chew exit tunnel — females emerge from flowers 
in which they developed — approach anther — crumble pollen 
with base of antennae and mandibles — forelegs touch anth- 
ers, then move up and back along inner margin of thoracic 
pocket, repeated several times, motion identical to reverse of 
pocket unloading in C. arabicus — leave fig through exit tun- 
nel with thoracic pockets full of pollen. 
1 C. hewitti pollinates a dioecious fig, while the other three wasps described here 
pollinate monoecious figs. 
