Evidence of a volatile attractant in Ficus ingens (Moraceae)

The relationship between the fig Ficus ingens (Miq.) Miq. and its wasp pollinator, Platyscapa soranu Wiebes, was studied. A mechanism of pollinator attraction is discussed and corroboration obtained by using gas chromatography to show the presence of volatile compounds. These compounds are shown to be released at the female phase of the fig’s flowering eyclc. These data are correlated to pollinator behaviour and visitation data obtained from field observations.