Jack, master or both? The invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis performs better than a native coccinellid despite divergent trait plasticity

The plasticity of performance traits can promote the success biological invasions and therefore, precisely estimating trait reaction norms help to predict establishment persistence introduced species in novel habitats. Most studies focus only on a reduced set rarely include variability that may be vital predicting success. Here, using split-brood full-sib design, we acclimated globally invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis native co-occurring competing Cheilomenes lunata cold, medium warm temperature regimes, measured critical thermal limits, life-history traits, starvation resistance. We used conceptual framework “Jack, Master or both” test predictions regarding differences these two species. C. had higher resistance upper tolerance than H. . By contrast, for preoviposition period, fecundity adult emergence from pupae. combined responses, transport duration propagule pressure size populations established site following scenarios. Although initially during transport, more individuals survived all simulated environments due particular, fecundity. Despite an increased mortality scenario, given sufficient size, successfully established. This study underscores how combination multiple strongly influence potential into environments.