Ficus Obliqua - Ecology

Ecology

The Double-eyed Fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) eats the fruit of Ficus obliqua, steadily depositing fruity detritus on the ground. The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is another parrot that consumes the fruit and disperses the seeds; other Australian bird species include the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius), Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia phasianella), Rose-crowned Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus regina), Wompoo Fruit-dove (P. magnificus), Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca), Topknot Pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus), Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina), Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina novaehollandae), Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus), Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti), Green Catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris), Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), and Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii). The tree is an important food source for the western Polynesian species the Many-coloured Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus perousii) and Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove (P. porphyraceus), and has been recommended for amenity planting in Tonga for these birds. The Spectacled Flying Fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) and Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) also eat the fruit.

Leaves of Ficus obliqua serve as a food source for the larvae of the butterfly species the Common Crow (Euploea core), the No-brand Crow (Euploea alcathoe), and the Geometer Moth species Scopula epigypsa. The thrips species Gynaikothrips australis feeds on the underside of new leaves of F. obliqua, as well as F. rubiginosa and F. macrophylla. As plant cells die, nearby cells are induced into forming meristem tissue. A gall results and the leaves become distorted and curl over. The thrips remain in the galls at night and wander about in the daytime before returning in the evening, possibly to different galls about the tree. The thrips begin feeding when the tree has flushes of new growth, and the life cycle is around six weeks. At other times, thrips reside on old leaves without feeding or pupate sheltered in the bark.