Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios

In this study, we predicted the global climatic suitability of <i>Tuta absoluta</i>, using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. We used species’ natural occurrence records in 1981–2024 and environmental variables in 1981–2010, reflecting near-current climate conditions, for modeling. The o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tai Gao, Rui Feng, Zibo Liu, Zengrong Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/2/185
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850081330829721600
author Tai Gao
Rui Feng
Zibo Liu
Zengrong Zhu
author_facet Tai Gao
Rui Feng
Zibo Liu
Zengrong Zhu
author_sort Tai Gao
collection DOAJ
description In this study, we predicted the global climatic suitability of <i>Tuta absoluta</i>, using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. We used species’ natural occurrence records in 1981–2024 and environmental variables in 1981–2010, reflecting near-current climate conditions, for modeling. The occurrence records used for modeling excluded the data from greenhouses and summer-only presence. The optimized MaxEnt models demonstrated an excellent predictive performance; Jaccard’s and Sørensen’s indices were greater than 0.8. Temperature, particularly the mean daily air temperature in February (tas2), was identified as the primary influencing factor. Projections based on five global climate models (GCMs) and four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) indicated an increasing risk of <i>T. absoluta</i> expansion. Under SSP126, the lowest-risk period (2011–2040) exhibited a 7.08% increase in suitable areas, while SSP370 during the highest-risk period (2071–2100) projected an 18.13% increase relative to near-current conditions. Model outputs underestimated the pest’s actual distribution, underscoring its invasive potential. We recommend stringent quarantine measures, particularly for artificial facilities that support overwintering, to mitigate future invasions. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to safeguard global tomato production against this invasive threat.
format Article
id doaj-art-a43508445eca4bcbadc8b6b7e54b0900
institution DOAJ
issn 2075-4450
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Insects
spelling doaj-art-a43508445eca4bcbadc8b6b7e54b09002025-08-20T02:44:46ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-02-0116218510.3390/insects16020185Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate ScenariosTai Gao0Rui Feng1Zibo Liu2Zengrong Zhu3College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaAcademy of Forestry Inventory and Planning, National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China, Beijing 100714, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaIn this study, we predicted the global climatic suitability of <i>Tuta absoluta</i>, using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling. We used species’ natural occurrence records in 1981–2024 and environmental variables in 1981–2010, reflecting near-current climate conditions, for modeling. The occurrence records used for modeling excluded the data from greenhouses and summer-only presence. The optimized MaxEnt models demonstrated an excellent predictive performance; Jaccard’s and Sørensen’s indices were greater than 0.8. Temperature, particularly the mean daily air temperature in February (tas2), was identified as the primary influencing factor. Projections based on five global climate models (GCMs) and four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) indicated an increasing risk of <i>T. absoluta</i> expansion. Under SSP126, the lowest-risk period (2011–2040) exhibited a 7.08% increase in suitable areas, while SSP370 during the highest-risk period (2071–2100) projected an 18.13% increase relative to near-current conditions. Model outputs underestimated the pest’s actual distribution, underscoring its invasive potential. We recommend stringent quarantine measures, particularly for artificial facilities that support overwintering, to mitigate future invasions. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to safeguard global tomato production against this invasive threat.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/2/185tomato leaf minerinvasive pestsclimate changepest management
spellingShingle Tai Gao
Rui Feng
Zibo Liu
Zengrong Zhu
Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios
Insects
tomato leaf miner
invasive pests
climate change
pest management
title Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios
title_full Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios
title_fullStr Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios
title_full_unstemmed Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios
title_short Modeling the Potential Climatic Suitability and Expansion Risk of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Under Future Climate Scenarios
title_sort modeling the potential climatic suitability and expansion risk of i tuta absoluta i meyrick 1917 lepidoptera gelechiidae under future climate scenarios
topic tomato leaf miner
invasive pests
climate change
pest management
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/2/185
work_keys_str_mv AT taigao modelingthepotentialclimaticsuitabilityandexpansionriskofitutaabsolutaimeyrick1917lepidopteragelechiidaeunderfutureclimatescenarios
AT ruifeng modelingthepotentialclimaticsuitabilityandexpansionriskofitutaabsolutaimeyrick1917lepidopteragelechiidaeunderfutureclimatescenarios
AT ziboliu modelingthepotentialclimaticsuitabilityandexpansionriskofitutaabsolutaimeyrick1917lepidopteragelechiidaeunderfutureclimatescenarios
AT zengrongzhu modelingthepotentialclimaticsuitabilityandexpansionriskofitutaabsolutaimeyrick1917lepidopteragelechiidaeunderfutureclimatescenarios