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Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Pulse Blue Butterfly (Lampides boeticus), Pest of Legume Crops, in Response to Climate Change
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Wetland Center, National Institute of Ecology, Changnyeong 50303, Republic of Korea
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Department of Smart Agriculture Systems, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
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Department of Smart Agriculture Systems Machinery Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2025, 16(8), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080826
Submission received: 7 July 2025
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Revised: 4 August 2025
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Accepted: 5 August 2025
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Published: 8 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)
Simple Summary
Lampides boeticus, commonly known as the pulse blue butterfly, is a significant pest of legume crops. Its habitat is shifting as a direct consequence of climate change, which necessitates an assessment of its potential future distribution. This study investigated the potential distribution of L. boeticus using MaxEnt, random forest, and ensemble models. The predicted distributions aligned well with the species’ recorded occurrences. Results showed that climate change is projected to broaden its habitat, an effect primarily driven by the minimum temperature of the coldest month as shown in variable contribution. As a tropical and subtropical species, it is assumed that cold temperatures are the main factor limiting its habitat range. The models predict that the species’ potential range will overlap with major pulse cultivation areas, regardless of climate change. This finding underscores the urgent need to establish a sustainable pest management strategy for this pest.
Abstract
The potential distribution of the pulse blue butterfly, Lampides boeticus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), was determined using MaxEnt, random forest, and ensemble models. The results indicate that most tropical, subtropical, and some temperate regions are suitable habitats. Climate change is projected to expand the species’ habitat northward in the Northern Hemisphere. Predicted distributions aligned well with the known occurrence records for the species. The minimum temperature of the coldest month was the climatic variable that most strongly influenced the distribution of L. boeticus. As a tropical and subtropical species, it is assumed that cold temperatures are the main factor limiting its habitat range. Because the potential distribution of this pest covers major pulse cultivation areas under both current and future climate scenarios, these findings highlight the urgent need for developing a sustainable pest management strategy.
