Evaluation of Spatial Distribution of Pulse Blue Butterfly (Lampides boeticus), Pest of Legume Crops, in Response to Climate Change

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.