Mechanisms driving component Allee effects during invasions: using a biological control agent as model invader

1. A demographic Allee effect refers to increasing per capita population growth with abundance. It arises from component effects, which exist when some of individual fitness has a positive relationship density. Newly arrived populations tend be small, and their establishment success is influenced by various factors, including effects. Identifying mechanisms driving the relevance for understanding failure, developing strategies improving biological control conservation, managing invasions. 2. We utilised an invasive plant biocontrol agent, Neolema ogloblini , as model study effects experienced invading populations. investigated mating failure predator satiation two that could potentially drive in N. 3. released unmated adults onto isolated host patches using five release sizes evaluated status females after 3 weeks field. The probability being mated increased number males recovered increased, suggesting presence mating‐failure very small . Exclosures were used evaluate survival immatures group sizes, either or absence generalist predators. Results revealed high levels predation, but between larval size predators not verified. 4. Our identified relevant life‐history traits contributing demonstrates value agents models species invasion.