Supplementary materials for A prioritization scheme for managing terrestrial invasive invertebrate species in South Africa

This study develops and applies a weighted prioritization scheme to identify and rank alien invertebrate species requiring urgent management action. Using a framework adapted from existing models, 30 invertebrate species were assessed against six criteria: invasion status, range of occurrence, ability to spread, dispersal capacity, feasibility of control, and impact severity. Each criterion was weighted to reflect ecological and management relevance, producing a total prioritization score for each species. Results highlighted Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly), and Euwallacea fornicatus (polyphagous shot hole borer) as among the highest-risk species due to their widespread distribution, high dispersal ability, and significant ecological and economic impacts. Conversely, species such as Clogmia albipunctata and Gryllodes sigillatus ranked lower, reflecting limited distribution and manageable impacts. Notably, the scheme also identified data-deficient species, underscoring research gaps in invasion biology. This prioritization framework offers a transparent, replicable, and adaptable tool for guiding invasive invertebrate management, informing national biodiversity policy and aligning with global biosecurity objectives.