The endless invasions: Spatiotemporal patterns of non-native insects in China

Biological invasions have been defined as one striking indicator of the Anthropocene epoch, with more species being translocated beyond their native range by human activities. The inventory of non-native species in a region provides basic information for further exploration of biological invasions. We compiled a checklist of non-native insects in China and then analyzed their diversity at species level and invasion patterns. In total, 241 species of non-native insects were recorded in China, belonging to 8 orders and 181 genera. Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera were the top three largest orders. Asia and North America donated most species of non-native insects, with Oceania contributing the fewest. The spatial distribution of non-native insects showed a decrease from coastal areas to inland regions, and inland border regions of Yunnan and Xinjiang had more first records of non-native species. Additionally, the number of non-native insect species has increased exponentially since 1900. Non-native insects were most likely introduced into China by stowaway and by contaminant, with a preference for terrestrial ecosystem. The overview of non-native insects in China provides a comprehensive perspective on their invasion patterns, helping to elucidate the dynamics of non-native insects and contributing to a balanced understanding of their global patterns.