Fig wasps

For the pollination of their flowers, plants of the genus Ficus are absolutely dependent upon the activity of small insects, the ”fig wasps” (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea, family Agaonidae). Consequently, no account of Ficus can be exhaustive without considering the entomological data. On the other hand, the fig wasps can only develop in the gall flowers of the fig receptacle. Consequently again, in the evaluation of the data on fig wasps, great stress should be laid on the botanical evidence. These statements may serve as ample justification for the appearance of an entomologists’ notes in this botanical bulletin. Since 1960 I am working through a large collection of Indo-malayan and Papuan fig wasps, mainly consisting of the collection made by Dr. J. van der Vecht at Bogor, and material sent by Dr. E.J.H. Corner from various parts of Malaya, Indonesia, Papua, and Melanesia. As the study of the fig wasps is still in its analytical stage, progress is slow, but the results are promising.