Sycophaga Explained

Sycophaga is a mainly Afrotropical genus of fig wasps that live on the section Sycomorus of the monoecious^[1] fig subgenus, Sycomorus,^[2] and one of several fig wasp genera to exploit its mutualism with Ceratosolen wasps.^[3]

They enter the fig during the receptive phase of development, and oviposit inside the short-style flowers. This induces the growth of endosperm tissue and the enlargement and ripening of the syconium which holds the wasp-bearing drupelets, without pollination taking place.^[4]

The genus can be characterized by having a long ovipositor, non-metallic coloration, a square mesoscutellum, and a long propodeum.^[5]

Species

The described species include:^[2]

• Sycophaga afflicta Grandi, 1916
• Sycophaga callani Grandi, 1955
• Sycophaga cyclostigma Waterston, 1916
• Sycophaga depressa Risbec, 1956
• Sycophaga gigantea Grandi, 1916
• Sycophaga gigas Mayr, 1906
• Sycophaga insularis Grandi, 1916
• Sycophaga silvestrii Grandi, 1916
• Sycophaga sycomori Linnaeus, 1758
• Sycophaga tenebrosa Grandi, 1917
• Sycophaga valentinae Grandi, 1952
• Sycophaga vicina Mayr, 1906
• Sycophaga viduata Grandi, 1916

Notes and References

1. Weiblen . George D. . Phylogenetic relationships of functionally dioecious FICUS (Moraceae) based on ribosomal DNA sequences and morphology. American Journal of Botany . September 2000 . 87 . 9 . 1342–1357 . 10.2307/2656726. 2656726 . 10991904 . free .
2. Web site: Van Noort. Sycophaga Westwood . Figweb . iziko museums . 9 July 2014. etal.
3. Harrison. Rhett D.. Evolution of Fruit Traits in Ficus Subgenus Sycomorus (Moraceae): To What Extent Do Frugivores Determine Seed Dispersal Mode? . PLOS ONE . 5 June 2012 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0038432 . etal . 7 . 6. e38432 . 22679505 . 3367955. 2012PLoSO...738432H. free.
4. Web site: Armstrong. W.P.. Gall flowers in figs: Does The Fig Wasp Really Produce A Gall?. Wayne's Word. 9 July 2014.
5. Web site: chalcidjyr. 2023 . Genus Sycophaga . iNaturalist . 22 February 2023.