Global flows of insect transport and establishment: the role of biogeography, trade, and regulations

Aim: Non-native species are part of almost every biological community worldwide, yet numbers of species establishments have an uneven global distribution. Asymmetrical exchanges of species between regions are likely influenced by a range of mechanisms, including propagule pressure, native species pools, environmental conditions, and biosecurity. While the importance of different mechanisms is likely to vary among invasion stages, those occurring prior to establishment are difficult to account for. We used records of unintentional insect introductions to test 1) whether insects from some biogeographic regions are more likely to be successful invaders, 2) whether the intensity of trade flows between regions determines how many species are intercepted and how many successfully establish, and 3) whether the variables driving invasion success differ pre- and post-introduction.
Location: Canada, mainland USA, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, South Korea, South Africa.
Met...