As climate changes and global trade volume increases, the spread of invasive alien species accelerates. Early prevention before occurrence is crucial for invasive pest control. Therefore, this study modeled the current and future potential distribution of the tomato leafminer(Tuta absoluta) (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), the most significant pest affecting tomatoes, in Korea. This pest primarily feeds on Solanaceae crops and can cause extensive damage, resulting in 50-100% loss of crops in greenhouses or fields. While previously unreported in Korea, it invaded China in 2017, indicating a potential threat to Korea. The potential distribution of the tomato leafminer in Korea under current and three future climate scenarios (SSP1-26, SSP3-70, SSP5-85) was predicted using the MaxEnt model. Additionally, elevation and land cover were incorporated as abiotic factors considering the ecological characteristics of the pest.

• Ji-won Jeong(Department of Plant Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea)
• Taechul Park(Department of Plant Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea)
• SoEun Eom(Department of Plant Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea)
• Jung-Joon Park(Department of Plant Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea)