Predicting the Potential Suitable Area of the Invasive Ant Linepithema humile in China under Future Climatic Scenarios Based on Optimized MaxEnt

Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is one of “100 the world’s worst invasive alien species” listed by International Union for Conservation Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Although native to South America, this ant has spread worldwide via international trade. Currently, L. not been found in China, if it invades might pose a potential risk invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, human livelihoods. Based on 2432 global occurrence records ten bioclimatic variables, optimized MaxEnt model was used predict suitable areas China. We analyzed important variables affecting areas, determined changes under future climatic scenarios. Our results indicated that mean temperature coldest quarter (Bio11), precipitation (Bio19), wettest (Bio8), warmest (Bio18) were most variables. Under current scenarios, area China 80.31 × 104 km2, which mainly located Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Yunnan, Hubei. climate scenarios over coming decades, showed an overall increase shift higher latitudes, invasion will change. findings provide theoretical guidance early warning monitoring