Science

Are there insects in figs?

Figs

Figs are rich in nutrients that are beneficial to our health. That's why many people eat this dried fruit. But many don't know that figs are considered non-vegetarian.

Insects in Figs

Did you know? Figs also contain insects. Specifically, when the fig is not yet ripe, a female wasp is attracted to the unique scent of the fig pollen and enters the fruit.

Figs

The narrow passage inside the fig causes the wasp's wings to break, trapping it inside. The wasp then lays its eggs inside the fig. Male wasps are wingless and die inside.

How Figs Become Non-Vegetarian

Female wasps emerge from the fig and lay eggs in other figs. Thus, many dead wasps remain inside the figs.

Insects Not Visible in Figs

During the drying process, the dead insects become integrated into the fruit. This means the dead insects cannot be removed from dried figs.

Do all figs contain insects?

Not all figs contain dead wasps. However, because the fruit contains flowers inside, this pollination process can occur.

Jains Don't Eat Figs

The presence of dead wasps makes figs non-vegetarian. Therefore, Jains do not consume figs. Many vegetarians also avoid figs.

Tortoise to monkey: 7 Animals that went to space before humans

What is a 404 Error: Page not found?

How much do Astronauts earn? Know their perks, salary