"Ignorance is Bliss." Remember this photo from last September? Back then, while eating my way from one end of this fig tree to the other, I had no idea there was more to a fig than meets the eye….
une guêpe (gep)
: wasp
Terms, Expressions, and an example sentence:
la taille de guêpe = slender-waisted, hourglass figure
le nid de guêpe = hornet's nest
Pour éviter les piqures de guêpes, un vieux truc [ou astuce] de viticulteurs: pincer le bout de la langue entre les dents tant que l'insecte menace. Cela créée une légère tension corporelle qui le gêne, s'il vient à se poser sur la peau.
To avoid wasp stings, an old tip [or trick] from winegrowers: pinch the tip of your tongue between your teeth for as long as the insect threatens. This creates a light corporal tension that bothers [the wasps], if they come to land on the skin. (that story here…)
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Figs and the Fascinating Life of a Lilliputian Wasp
Last night I heard a curious sound coming from outside the bedroom window. Toc, toc, toc…. Was it a thief?
My heart fluttered as I tuned into the strange noise. I listened to the intermittent thumping and shuffling, wondering what in the world? Was it a wild animal?
My mind reeled with possibilities, eventually settling on the least spooky conclusion: falling figs! I remembered back a day or two ago when playing fetch with Smokey. As he retrieved his stick, over by the boules court, I saw a scattering of figs lying there on the ground.
Next I noticed the ping pong table. It too was covered with figs…. I recalled the rumbling sky and the burst of rain we'd had the day before. The figs must have been knocked from the tree.
Allez. Pousse-toi, Smokey! Va là-bas, Braise! Like looters who appear on the scene, our dogs rushed up to the fallen goods, attempting to cash in on the catastrophe.
I reached down to pick up a fig and saw it was too young to salvage. But then, could one eat an unripe fruit? It was a question I'd often wondered about. Such a pity all these figs might be destined for the compost pile, instead of our plates–in the form of tarte à la figue or figues farcies au fromage bleu or "figues tout court"!
Impatient to know the answer I tore open one of the figs. Instead of the usual raspberry color with lovely star-burst yellow accents, this one was pasty white inside.
As I stood frowning into the fig my eyes caught on something… something wiggling! Dropping the fig I wondered, Was that a worm I just saw?
I walked over to the ping pong table and picked up another fig. Splitting it open I searched the interior until–wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!–I found what I was looking for. Beurk! C'est dégoûtant!
Any disgust was soon replaced by curiosity. The little fig in my hand was teeming with life. But how had the wiggly vers gotten there? Turning the fig round and round, I could find no port of entry….
An internet search ("worms in figs") opened up a fascinating new world–in which two living things come into being by the grace of the other–a process called mutualism. But how is this possible and which came first–the chicken or the egg (or the fig or the wasp?).
Quit sait? Meantime what is known is this: because of the location of the fig's flowers (inside the fig), to pollinate it a female wasp has to enter the fig through a tiny hole in its base. It takes a very small wasp to do this, hence its moniker "la guêpe liliputienne".
Once inside, the female deposits pollen and lays her eggs, which soon hatch. After the pupal stage, male wasps quickly find their way over to young females–and mate! Next, ever energetic, the males forge an escape route for the females (remember, everyone is still trapped inside the fig!). But all that gusto soon goes broke. The machos die at or near the sortie de secours and only the females make it out alive.
As the females crawl out of the fig, their little legs collect the pollen distributed by the first wasp…. Exiting, finally, the fig they salute their fallen heroes (OK, this part's made up) and, without missing a beat, make their way over to the nearest fig and into a little hole there at the base. Next the whole extraordinary cycle repeats itself!
As I said, some of the males–and those females who've lost their wings on the voyage out, die sur le chemin… These unlucky ones remain there, fallen heroines and heroes, trapped inside the fig which then grows and ripens around them–like a sweet tomb.
At this point you may be wondering, like I was, whether or not to give up your addiction to figs? Could you overlook this wiggly fact and bite into the luscious fruit with the same wild abandon?
(Relax, nature cleans up the gory mess….)
Better than a sci-fi movie, the mutant fig eventually (and completely) consumes the unlucky wasps–this with the help of alchemy! ASU's Ask A Biologist column explains the process:
Figs produce a chemical called “ficin” that breaks down the wasp bodies. Ficin is so effective at breaking down, or digesting, animal proteins that natives of Central America eat fig sap to treat intestinal worm infections.
The article goes on to say that the rumor some of us once heard (about fig newtons containing crushed insects) is false. As for the figs on the trees, it all depends….
Recently, I watched my friend Isa reach for one of our figs while admiring our fig tree. Je les adore! She cooed, about to pop one of the fruits into her mouth.
Noticing the figs weren't ripe yet, I yanked the fruit out of her hand.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you…."
***
Comments
To leave a comment, click here — or share your favorite fig recipe (and assure me that you are no namby-pamby–that you won't let some lusty wasps keep you from enjoying this fascinating fruit!).
French Vocab
toc-toc-toc = knock-knock-knock
allez = come on
pousse-toi = move it!
va là-bas! = go over there!
la tarte aux figues = fig pie, fig tart
figues farcies au fromage bleu = figs stuffed with blue cheese
figues tout court = simply figs (figs full stop)
beurk = yuck!
c'est dégoûtant = that's disgusting
un ver = worm
qui sait? = who knows
sur le chemin = along the road
la sortie de secours = emergency exit
Kristi and Chief Grape. (We moved from the Ste Cécile vineyard, Domaine Rouge-Bleu, almost one year ago, but Jean-Marc will always be the grape chief. Meantime he's getting ready to plant his next vineyard). Painting by Dana Constance Thomas. At Dana's blog, you will find the interview we did together about what inspires me… and the answer to this question : If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?. I had a lot of fun answering that one. Don't miss the interview, here!
I planted sunflower seeds sprouts last fall — and forgot about them. Those are radish pods. Having fun in the garden — hope you are having fun there, or elsewhere. Enjoy your day.
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We used to live next door to a man whose fig tree hung over our fence and he encouraged us to pick all we wanted. My husband became obsessed with making fig preserves so we were eating them for a few years until he got fed up. Literally. Never saw any wasps.
The artist for the blog is really talented. She (?) caught your expressions quite well. Thanks for sharing.
We used to live next door to a man whose fig tree hung over our fence and he encouraged us to pick all we wanted. My husband became obsessed with making fig preserves so we were eating them for a few years until he got fed up. Literally. Never saw any wasps.
The artist for the blog is really talented. She (?) caught your expressions quite well. Thanks for sharing.
Pretty fascinating. Usually animals turn plants into animal protein. The fig turns animal protein into a plant. Totally new story to me. Someday I should try a fresh fig.
one typo in this story
Was that I worm I just saw?
The first I should be “a”, right?
Your life in the south of France seems full of lovely discoveries, especially edible delights that grow at your home.
Pretty fascinating. Usually animals turn plants into animal protein. The fig turns animal protein into a plant. Totally new story to me. Someday I should try a fresh fig.
one typo in this story
Was that I worm I just saw?
The first I should be “a”, right?
Your life in the south of France seems full of lovely discoveries, especially edible delights that grow at your home.
I had no idea…and we have figs! Thanks for the info!
I had no idea…and we have figs! Thanks for the info!
A Salad Recipe…
Au pif (learned that term from Kristin!)
Endive…aka Belgian endive
Figs… fresh, chopped
Goat cheese…broken into pieces
Pecan pieces
Toss together with oil and vinegar.
Fig infused vinegar is especially nice.
Also works with dates, Feta cheese and walnuts.
Enjoy…
A Salad Recipe…
Au pif (learned that term from Kristin!)
Endive…aka Belgian endive
Figs… fresh, chopped
Goat cheese…broken into pieces
Pecan pieces
Toss together with oil and vinegar.
Fig infused vinegar is especially nice.
Also works with dates, Feta cheese and walnuts.
Enjoy…
After gorging on fresh figs from our tree in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada, and sharing them with neighbours, I put several at a time in to 1/2 pint jars not adding anything else, and process them in boiling water for about 10 min. They are a delight to find on the shelf mid-winter, and eaten either with ice cream or cheese.
Wasps here love to get the ripe ones at the top of the tree. I have not noticed any around earlier. Interesting story.
Keep up the good work, entertaining us and teaching in a kind and meaningful way, Kristin.
Diana Denny,
After gorging on fresh figs from our tree in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada, and sharing them with neighbours, I put several at a time in to 1/2 pint jars not adding anything else, and process them in boiling water for about 10 min. They are a delight to find on the shelf mid-winter, and eaten either with ice cream or cheese.
Wasps here love to get the ripe ones at the top of the tree. I have not noticed any around earlier. Interesting story.
Keep up the good work, entertaining us and teaching in a kind and meaningful way, Kristin.
Diana Denny,
Kristin – just want you to know that we had our first ‘dinner party’ in our new home (in the mountains of western NC) and I made your fudge! I’ve never made fudge in my life. I served it with Orange sherbet and it turned out great. Said a prayer about ‘getting it out’ and I’m glad you included what your step mom did with the hot water for a moment.
It was 200 calories for 16 pieces – I measured. Excellent. merci!
Kristin – just want you to know that we had our first ‘dinner party’ in our new home (in the mountains of western NC) and I made your fudge! I’ve never made fudge in my life. I served it with Orange sherbet and it turned out great. Said a prayer about ‘getting it out’ and I’m glad you included what your step mom did with the hot water for a moment.
It was 200 calories for 16 pieces – I measured. Excellent. merci!
We have a fig tree and I always knew that wasps factored in but I didn’t know the facts. This is fascinating. So I wonder if in years when we don’t have a good yield it means we don’t have wasps. I’ll have to do some research on that. Thanks, as always, Kristin.
We have a fig tree and I always knew that wasps factored in but I didn’t know the facts. This is fascinating. So I wonder if in years when we don’t have a good yield it means we don’t have wasps. I’ll have to do some research on that. Thanks, as always, Kristin.
Figs are so luscious and morels are amazing. It you worry about morels, just split them lengthwise and give them a rinse. Any bugs tend to be in the center tube and are easy to see. The taste is not to be missed. I didn’t grow up with either, but love them both as an adult.
Figs are so luscious and morels are amazing. It you worry about morels, just split them lengthwise and give them a rinse. Any bugs tend to be in the center tube and are easy to see. The taste is not to be missed. I didn’t grow up with either, but love them both as an adult.
Our dear Kristi,
Not only a beautiful picture but (another!) wonderful post!
I don’t think there is anything quite so heavenly as a fresh,ripe fig. (granted,we are huge fig lovers!) But when we had two fig trees in our orchard, those mornings when God graced us with such a treat,we truly had to give thanks–and I remember that to this day.
THANK YOU for bringing this to my meory!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
Not only a beautiful picture but (another!) wonderful post!
I don’t think there is anything quite so heavenly as a fresh,ripe fig. (granted,we are huge fig lovers!) But when we had two fig trees in our orchard, those mornings when God graced us with such a treat,we truly had to give thanks–and I remember that to this day.
THANK YOU for bringing this to my meory!
Love, Natalia XO
Fascinating biology lesson there. I’ll look at those delicious figs a bit differently now but appreciate the circle of life a bit more. Thanks, Kristin.
Fascinating biology lesson there. I’ll look at those delicious figs a bit differently now but appreciate the circle of life a bit more. Thanks, Kristin.
Chère amie,
As I began reading it, I was sure your story would turn out to be another Poisson d’Avril ! … I was fully expecting you to mention the oil you needed to polish the skulls in the necropolis, or some exotic insecticide that would rid the trees of their scourge.
But no, these were genuine figues with real, squirming asticots in them!
Yeccch! Native Americans on our California Coast ate banana slugs (look them up on Wikipedia). Figues are right up there with them now, IMHO. I feel much the same about eel, but that is MY problem.
Your writing is so much fun, and your photos are beautiful. Thanks for the pleasure they bring to us!
😀
Chère amie,
As I began reading it, I was sure your story would turn out to be another Poisson d’Avril ! … I was fully expecting you to mention the oil you needed to polish the skulls in the necropolis, or some exotic insecticide that would rid the trees of their scourge.
But no, these were genuine figues with real, squirming asticots in them!
Yeccch! Native Americans on our California Coast ate banana slugs (look them up on Wikipedia). Figues are right up there with them now, IMHO. I feel much the same about eel, but that is MY problem.
Your writing is so much fun, and your photos are beautiful. Thanks for the pleasure they bring to us!
😀
This is one of your best posts ever! Love the biology leçon mixed with family fun. I have never liked figs, but now am going to try them! Maman Nature never fails to upend our picky-pooky persnickety ways!!
Interesting for me, as well, because just this morning I began reading Barbara Kingsolver’s excellent book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – A Year of Food Life. “The family…journey away from the industrial-food pipeline to a rural life in which they vow to buy food raised in their neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it.” Full of food history and I highly recommend. Even if we make small steps to eat locally, it matters.
Merci, K, for the challenge!
This is one of your best posts ever! Love the biology leçon mixed with family fun. I have never liked figs, but now am going to try them! Maman Nature never fails to upend our picky-pooky persnickety ways!!
Interesting for me, as well, because just this morning I began reading Barbara Kingsolver’s excellent book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – A Year of Food Life. “The family…journey away from the industrial-food pipeline to a rural life in which they vow to buy food raised in their neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it.” Full of food history and I highly recommend. Even if we make small steps to eat locally, it matters.
Merci, K, for the challenge!
Fascinating, Kristin. Thank you. And, yes, I will now inspect more carefully the figs I plan to eat before putting them in my mouth….
Can’t believe it’s been just a year since you moved.
Fascinating, Kristin. Thank you. And, yes, I will now inspect more carefully the figs I plan to eat before putting them in my mouth….
Can’t believe it’s been just a year since you moved.
Thank you, Odile, for the correction–and thank you all for these lively comments. (Mom, I cant remember if I thanked you for yours, which sparked all kinds of hope inside of me! Heres to more research and to the stories that follow).
I have been editing and updating this post — and have included a helpful bit about the size of the wasps I wrote about: they dont call them les guepes liliputienne or liliputian wasps for nothing! Enjoy the updates. It would be fun to add some interesting facts–such as this one: figs are thought to be the first domesticated crop.
Thank you, Odile, for the correction–and thank you all for these lively comments. (Mom, I cant remember if I thanked you for yours, which sparked all kinds of hope inside of me! Heres to more research and to the stories that follow).
I have been editing and updating this post — and have included a helpful bit about the size of the wasps I wrote about: they dont call them les guepes liliputienne or liliputian wasps for nothing! Enjoy the updates. It would be fun to add some interesting facts–such as this one: figs are thought to be the first domesticated crop.
Well ,well ! Nature never fails to astonish us . Can’t say I have come across the same thing with the figs around here ,but will look a little more carefully in future.
Thanks for the biology lesson !
Well ,well ! Nature never fails to astonish us . Can’t say I have come across the same thing with the figs around here ,but will look a little more carefully in future.
Thanks for the biology lesson !
Les guêpes aiment bien la bière aussi. Difficile de boire une bière dans le jardin quand les guêpes sont autour. 🙂
Les guêpes aiment bien la bière aussi. Difficile de boire une bière dans le jardin quand les guêpes sont autour. 🙂
Ymmm . . . I love figs, too! My sister has a BIG tree and from time to time her husband picks some and gives them to us since they don’t like figs. Lucky us! We have now planted a miniature fig tree but so far not many figs. I had no idea about the wasps! Must look more carefully the next time at the figs!
My favorite way to eat this delicious fruit is to simply cut them in half lengthwise and add a slice of goat Gouda cheese on top. I discovered that they fit nicely into a deviled egg dish and it looks very pretty at a party! Bon Appetite!
Ymmm . . . I love figs, too! My sister has a BIG tree and from time to time her husband picks some and gives them to us since they don’t like figs. Lucky us! We have now planted a miniature fig tree but so far not many figs. I had no idea about the wasps! Must look more carefully the next time at the figs!
My favorite way to eat this delicious fruit is to simply cut them in half lengthwise and add a slice of goat Gouda cheese on top. I discovered that they fit nicely into a deviled egg dish and it looks very pretty at a party! Bon Appetite!
Dear Kristin,
Loved the post about the Figs…We had a dinner party Saturday and the salad course was Salad Chevre Chaud with fresh figs. It was drizzled with a light vinaigrette, then a sprinkling of Date Balsamic Vinegar.. Delish !!! Patty aus Deutschland.
Dear Kristin,
Loved the post about the Figs…We had a dinner party Saturday and the salad course was Salad Chevre Chaud with fresh figs. It was drizzled with a light vinaigrette, then a sprinkling of Date Balsamic Vinegar.. Delish !!! Patty aus Deutschland.