Bemisia tabaci is an important pest of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide and comprises a complex of cryptic species. In China, the introduction of the two invasive cryptic species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED), has considerably affected the ecological niche of the native cryptic species. Based on occurrence records obtained through eld surveys and high-resolution environmental data, ecological niche models were established to predict the distribution of invasive and native cryptic species of B. tabaci in China using the MaxEnt model. The models showed that the suitable range, the important environmental variables affecting the distribution of the cryptic species, and the adaptation range of the main environmental variables related to them were different. The ndings of this study showed that the B. tabaci species complex possesses a complex ecological niche. The distribution range and niche breadth of the invasive cryptic species exceeds that of the native cryptic species in the order of MED > MEAM1 > China1 > Asia1. There are different degrees of niche overlap and range overlap among the different cryptic species. This study, therefore, revealed the differences in the distribution and ecological niche of the invasive and native cryptic species of B. tabaci in China. The ndings of this study contribute to the ecological knowledge of B. tabaci, which will be useful in the development of prevention and control strategies for this pest in China. Key Messages1. Bemisia tabaci is a species complex composed of many cryptic species, including two invasive cryptic species, MED and MEAM1
Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) are two invasive cryptic species of the Bemisia tabaci species complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) that cause serious damage to agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. To explore the possible impact of climate change on their distribution, the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used to predict the potential distribution ranges of MEAM1 and MED in China under current and four future climate scenarios, using shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), namely SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5, over four time periods (2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100). The distribution ranges of MEAM1 and MED were extensive and similar in China under current climatic conditions, while their moderately and highly suitable habitat ranges differed. Under future climate scenarios, the areas of suitable habitat of different levels for MEAM1 and MED were predicted to increase to different degrees. However, the predicted expansion of suitable habitats varied between them, suggesting that these invasive cryptic species respond differently to climate change. Our results illustrate the difference in the effects of climate change on the geographical distribution of different cryptic species of B. tabaci and provide insightful information for further forecasting and managing the two invasive cryptic species in China.
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