Non-pollinating fig wasps associated with Ficus andicola (Moraceae) in the Central Andes of Colombia

• Published in: Revista colombiana de entomología Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 165 - 170
• Main Authors: Cardona, W, De Ulloa, PC, Kattan, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: 01.12.2007
• Subjects: Ficus; Hymenoptera; Moraceae
• ISSN: 0120-0488

Several species of wasps may develop inside the inflorescences (figs) of Ficus spp. These species include the pollinator, usually a single species, while the other species do not provide any benefits to the tree; instead, they may affect negatively the number of seeds and pollinators produced. In this work we studied the composition of the non-pollinating fig wasp fauna associated with Ficus andicola in the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. We examined 418 figs that were collected from 12 trees; the wasps that emerged from each one were counted and separated into morphospecies. A total of 46.5% of flowers produced seeds and 53.5% produced wasps. Twenty-two morphospecies were found emerging from figs of F. andicola. The eight most abundant were identified to genus. The most abundant morphospecies, which were present in more than 40% of figs, were Idarnes sp1, Heterandrium sp. and Idarnes sp2. Most wasp species were found in less than 10% of figs. Based on species accumulation curves, the 22 morphospecies found represent 88% of the expected number of species for F. andicola.