Prediction of suitable distributions of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in China with analysis of bio-climatic matching

It is urgent to study on potential distribution area of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), because it is an important invasive and quarantine pest in china. The pivotal bio-climatic matching value of R. ferrugineus output from CLIMEX model was interpolated into GIS analysis. After overlay analysis of matching value map and host map, the prediction distribution of the pest was improved. The results indicated that R. ferrugineus can widely distribute in south area from Qinling Mountain and the high risk area is involved with Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Taiwan and Hongkong, etc… Analysis of bio-climatic matching provides an applied way for potential distribution area of R. ferrugineus in China, and the results adapted to the actual distribution. South China, East China and West-South China are the crucial quarantine and control area.