Pleistodontes froggatti can only reproduce in the syconia of its host species, the Moreton Bay Fig, Ficus macrophylla.

Ficus macrophylla is native to southeast Queensland, eastern New South Wales and Lord Howe Island, and has been planted widely across the world.

[6] Pleistodontes froggatti was first recorded in New Zealand in 1993, a 3,000 km (1,900 mi) journey from its nearest range in Australia.

After establishing in New Zealand, P. froggatti spread rapidly, making use of widely planted populations of Moreton Bay figs.

[3] The arrival of the wasp led to prolific production of fruits containing many small seeds adapted for dispersal by birds.