Why no BFF?

[Inflorescence]

I know where I am at, BFF larvae seem to partially dissolve in the fig and often don’t make it out when it is really hot outside. But I don’t think that necessarily means anything, because 1) I still lose the fig to BFF and am still aware of its presence, and 2) Other hot areas in other places are also affected by BFF.

I do think it is a matter of having enough fig trees to support BFF. I don’t think it will necessarily spread to many other parts of the USA because fig growing isn’t as popular except in certain areas and also amongst hobbiests.

Here is one map of wild fig trees. It is by no means comprehensive because I believe it is reliant on individuals reporting the trees and I don’t know if they update when trees are removed. Still, it gives an idea though.

 

[oat]

I know where I am at, BFF larvae seem to partially dissolve in the fig and often don’t make it out when it is really hot outside. But I don’t think that necessarily means anything, because 1) I still lose the fig to BFF and am still aware of its presence, and 2) Other hot areas in other places are also affected by BFF.

I do think it is a matter of having enough fig trees to support BFF. I don’t think it will necessarily spread to many other parts of the USA because fig growing isn’t as popular except in certain areas and also amongst hobbiests.

Here is one map of wild fig trees. It is by no means comprehensive because I believe it is reliant on individuals reporting the trees and I don’t know if they update when trees are removed. Still, it gives an idea though.


View attachment 17066

Same at my orchard. I’m more inland, so the air is much dryer than the coast and the sun is very strong. Once the trees realized that there are BFFs larvae in a fig tree tried to abort the fig by cutting off the supply of sap. Once the sap stopped, infected figs will dry out in a day. I think sometime the larvae died when that happens. This might curb the population down a bit, but there will always be a more suitable microclimate somewhere that kept them going though.

 

[SubmarinePete]

Same at my orchard. I’m more inland, so the air is much dryer than the coast and the sun is very strong. Once the trees realized that there are BFFs larvae in a fig tree tried to abort the fig by cutting off the supply of sap. Once the sap stopped, infected figs will dry out in a day. I think sometime the larvae died when that happens. This might curb the population down a bit, but there will always be a more suitable microclimate somewhere that kept them going though.

Maybe it is that simple—the fig dies quickly in the heat, and the ripening window is relatively short