Predicting invasion outcomes: Will preying mantids take over western Montana?

Fig. 4. Percentage abundance change for different species potentially affected by preying mantis invasions under four different projected scenarios of future mantid abundance. 

Invasive species management is most effective before invaders become widespread problems. Identifying these problematic species early in the invasion process facilitates management strategies that can save thousands to millions of dollars in impacts and management costs per invader.

Currently, we have few tools capable of predicting invader impacts. This study introduces a new online modeling tool for predicting impacts of introduced species using the case study of preying mantid invasions in western Montana grasslands.

This study introduces and demonstrates the application of a new online modeling tool for predicting impacts of introduced species. This tool allows managers and conservation practitioners to identify potentially problematic invaders early in the invasion process when management is most effective.

This is the first online modeling tool that allows managers to evaluate threats and potential impacts of newly introduced species using basic ecological data early in the invasion process.