Global Potential Geographical Distribution of the Southern Armyworm (Spodoptera eridania) under Climate Change

Simple Summary The invasion of Spodoptera eridania and the damage it has caused to crop systems in recent years has raised concerns about its potential risks. In this study, we aimed to map the invasion risk of S. eridania worldwide based on an optimized MaxEnt model. The results indicated the suitable habitat concentrated in southern North America, South America, western Europe, central Africa, southern Asia, and eastern Oceania. Under climate change, suitable habitats for S. eridania will expand and shift to higher latitudes in the future. Countries without S. eridania invasion but that are at invasive risk, such as the European Union, Southeast Asian countries, and Australia should take appropriate quarantine measures to prevent the entry of this pest. The southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), a polyphagous crop pest native to tropical America, has been found in Africa (2016) and India (2019), causing defoliation and damage to the reproductive structures of cassava, soybean, and tomato. The damage caused by this pest to crop systems has raised concerns regarding its potential risks. Therefore, we predicted the potential geographical distribution of S. eridania under climate change conditions using 19 bioclimatic variables based on an optimized MaxEnt model. The results showed that annual precipitation (bio12), mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10), and precipitation of the driest month (bio14) were important bioclimatic variables influencing the potential distribution. The prediction showed that the suitable habitat area was approximately 3426.43 x 10(4) km(2), mainly concentrated in southern North America, South America, western Europe, central Africa, southern Asia, and eastern Oceania. In response to global climate change, suitable habitats for S. eridania will expand and shift to higher latitudes in the future, especially under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. Because of the current devastating effects on crop production, countries without S. eridania invasion, such as the European Union, Southeast Asian countries, and Australia, need to strengthen phytosanitary measures at border ports to prevent the introduction of this pest.

Automated summary

This study mapped the global invasion risk of the South American armyworm using an optimized MaxEnt model. The results identified suitable habitats mainly in southern North America, South America, western Europe, central Africa, southern Asia, and eastern Oceania. With climate change, suitable habitats for the armyworm will expand and shift to higher latitudes. Countries without current invasion but at risk, such as the European Union, Southeast Asian countries, and Australia, should strengthen phytosanitary measures to prevent its introduction.