Question

The insects Blastophaga grossorum is associated with the pollination of which plant?
A. Mango
B. Ficus
C. Paddy
D. Nelumbium

Answer 1

Hint: Blastophaga grossorum also known as Blastophaga genes. It is a wasp species with blastophaga genus. It pollinates the ficus plant with the help of olfactory senses. Due to pollination of these plants, it is found in the region where the fig species plants are grown more. They lead to the concept of fig –wasp mutualism.

Complete answer:
Blastophaga grossorum is a wasp species with genus Blastophaga. These species are found more where the figs are grown including the southern Europe and mediterean seas.
Blastophaga commonly pollinate the ficus. Each species of ficus are specially pollinated by particular fig species. So, this type of pollination is called fig-fig wasp pollination.
It is a co-evolutionary relationship emerging from years.
The fig wasp uses the fig as a nest, lays eggs and breeds over there, where fig uses wasp as a pollinate and this method is called as fig and fig pollination.
It commonly pollinates the common fig that ficus carica, where without nest these wasp breed for a few weeks.
They pollinate through their olfactory senses. In B. pfsense species the olfactory stimuli are used to pollinate the eggs or receive the wasp’s egg.
After coming out from syconium, the wasp usually searches for the fig flower to deposit their eggs.
There are various species that pollinate the mango that include insects, wasp, bees and even ants.
Paddy are self pollinated, the pistil and stamens are present in the same flowers.
Nelumbium is pollinated by beetles. Though it grows in water it is not pollinated by water.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Wasps are very small approximately 2mm in length where males are smaller than females.
Wasps are free living; they live only for a few weeks or days. Balstophaga grossorum is a wasp species. They are also known as Blastophaga genes. They commonly pollinate the common fig. Without the nest also, they stay in the fig for a few weeks. A specific species of wasp is pollinated by a specific variety of fig. So, this pollination is called fig-wasp pollination.