Agaonidae are obligate pollinators of which plant group?

• A. Oak trees in the genus Quercus.
• B. Fig trees (genus Ficus).
• C. Pine trees in the genus Pinus.
• D. Maple trees in the genus Acer.

Answer: (B)

A tight coevolved mutualism between figs and their pollinating wasps. Agaonidae are the family of fig wasps that pollinate fig trees (genus Ficus). Inside each fig’s enclosed inflorescence, the wasps collect pollen from male flowers and, as they enter a fig to lay eggs, they transfer pollen to the flowers, enabling seed production for the plant and providing a habitat and development site for the wasp larvae. This relationship is obligate, meaning figs rely on these specific wasps for pollination and the wasps rely on the figs for reproduction. Oak, pine, and maple rely on wind or different pollinators and are not associated with Agaonidae, so the correct plant group is fig trees.