The thrips species "Gynaikothrips australis" feeds on the underside of new leaves of "F. macrophylla", as well as those of "F. rubiginosa" and "F. obliqua". As plant cells die, nearby cells are induced into forming meristem tissue and a gall results and the leaves become distorted and curl over. 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. The species pupates sheltered in the bark. The thrips remain in the galls at night and wander about in the daytime and return in the evening, possibly to different galls about the tree.