The principle of “an eye for an eye” found in the Code of Hammurabi of ancient Babylonian origin has been understood by anthropologists and other social scientists as being a peculiar characteristic of human social interaction for centuries. Although it may seem that we are the only species of life that have an affinity towards abiding by this rather barbaric and unmerciful rule of nature, a recent research study conducted by scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute have found a similar merciless relationship between fig plants and their primary insect pollinators, wasps.

The researchers discovered that in exchange for the extremely important service of pollination provided by wasps to fig plants, the fig fruit offers the wasp a safe refuge for their still developing offspring.

However, when wasps do not keep up their end of the bargain by pollinating these plants, the fig trees ‘punish’ these ‘rebels’ by dropping the unpollinated fruit, killing the developing wasps inside.

Describing this unique relationship, Allen Herre, STRI staff scientists says, “ “This is really about the all-too-human theme of crime and punishment. We found that in actively pollinated fig species — when wasps expend time and energy to collect and deposit pollen– wasps that did not provide the basic service of pollination were sanctioned. However, in passively pollinated species — when the wasps do not need to make an effort to pollinate–sanctions were absent.”

Unique discoveries like these continue to amaze the scientific community with the level of sophistication often witnessed in seemingly simple life forms such as plants. More than anything else, my work here at greenseedling.com over the past couple of years has increased my appreciation for not only plants, but for all other species of life on earth as well.

Discussion Question: Given your knowledge of evolution, how do you think this particular relationship developed and what are its consequences?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100114143513.htm
Scientific Article: http://jnason.eeob.iastate.edu:8080/NasonLab/publications/pdf-folder/nason_et_al_1998.pdf