POLLINATION PATTERNS IN Ficus deltoidea: BEHAVIOURAL INSIGHTS INTO Blastophaga sp. ENTRY AND INTERACTIONS

Abstract

Ficus deltoidea, part of the diverse Ficus genus and native to Malaysia, is noted for its medicinal properties apart from having 13 different varieties in Malaysia. Its main pollinator, Blastophaga sp., is vital in its reproductive processes. This study explored the pollination dynamics in F. deltoidea complex, focusing on the entry rates and behaviours of Blastophaga sp. from the variety of deltoidea through the dissection of the figs. Field research in Johor, Malaysia, between August and December 2023 concentrated on observing male and female figs during the phase where pollinators entered the figs. The results revealed that Blastophaga sp. can enter multiple figs, indicating a tendency to visit figs already entered by other fig wasps. This pattern was observed in both male and female fig trees. Only one fig wasp body remained inside a developing fig recorded the highest value among all the figs dissected., where the maximum number of bodies found in a single fig was five in the male and four in the female. This suggests that the receptive phase of a fig permits multiple entries by female fig wasps, possibly influenced by the opening of the ostiole, which in turn affects pollinator preferences and behaviours. Understanding these interactions enhances knowledge of the mutualistic relationship between figs and fig wasps, contributing to fig trees' ecological balance and sustainability.