Climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide are significant factors in ecological risk assessments, suggesting their consideration is required in predicting potential distribution of a invasive species. CLIMEX model is one of species distribution models (SDMs) and provides potential geographical distribution by focusing on climatic effect on species inhabitation. Most SDMs, such as Bioclim, Domain, GARP and MaxEnt, focus on relationship between the occurrences of the species and static environmental covariates, whereas CLIMEX model depends on limitations of species' geographical distribution and reactions to climatic variables at an appropriate temporal scale (called seasonal phenology). In this study, we described the basic concept of CLIMEX and reviewed previous applications. Also, we demonstrated the various utilization of CLIMEX differed by study purposes and methodology for analyzing the model.

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is categorized into the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Accordingly, the prediction of potential distribution of the red imported fire ant is demanded in order to provide the possibility of dispersion into new sites, and to identify vulnerable regions to be attacked. In general, species distribution model can predict potential distribution of a specific species, but most of them have used air temperature as the most important variable. However, red imported fire ant has life cycle under ground, requiring soil temperature for more reliable prediction of potential habitats. For this reason, this study was to insert soil temperature into CLIMEX, and to evaluate potential distribution of the red imported fire ant.

Prediction of the seasonal occurrence and potential distribution of agricultural pests has accomplished by software toolsimplementing species distribution models (SDMs). In this aspect, we used CLIMEX software to evaluate the seasonaloccurrence and potential distribution of Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), which is one of household mothsdamaging dried fruits in pantries. Based on the simulation, the beginning of period for suitable climate was predictedto be from mid-March to end-March, while it might be end in late October to early November. The peak time for P.interpunctella was ranged from early or mid-July to mid-August, but depended on local geography. When applying RCP8.5 climate change scenario, it was predicted that P. interpunctella would not occur due to intensive rainfall in July andAugust in 2060.