Cotton Mealybug Phenacoccus Solenopsis Research Articles

Green synthesis and bioefficacy screening of new insect growth regulators as eco-friendly insecticides against the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis.

Overcoming or reducing the majority of difficulties caused by the use of common pesticides requires the use of developed, secure, unique and selective organic compounds. Due to their clear mechanism of action on pests and lower poisonousness towards vertebrates than conventional insecticides, juvenile hormone analogues as an example of insect growth regulators appear promising. Thus, a unique set of pure insect growth regulators has been synthesized. The structure of these synthesized compounds, which were related to the most well-known insect growth regulator insecticides, was confirmed by elemental and contemporary spectroscopic investigations (IR, UV, 1 H-NMR, 13 C NMR, and Dept 135 spectrum). Under laboratory conditions, the effectiveness of a chemically newly synthesized products was tested against the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, and compared with Fenoxycarb as a reference insecticide. Compound 7 was discovered to be more effective than the other synthetic compounds, with LC50 values of 0.907 mg/L for adult female P. solenopsis and 0.377 mg/L for third instar nymphs. Furthermore, this results concluded that the adult female's stage of P. solenopsis was less sensitive to the checked treatments as matched to the third instar nymphs.

Multidimensional climatic niche conservatism and invasion risk of Phenacoccus solenopsis.

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis, a globally invasive insect, is listed as a national quarantine pest in agriculture and forestry, which seriously threatens biological safety of China. Niche conservatism is a key assumption of species distribution model. An evaluation of the applicability of using ecological niche models to assess the invasion risk of cotton mealybug, and further optimizing model complexity, are of both theoretical and practical significance. Based on 706 occurrence records and key bioclimatic variables, we used n-dimensional hypervolume niche analysis method to quantify the climatic niche hypervolumes of this pest in both native and invasive sites, and further tested the niche conservatism hypothesis. MaxEnt model parameters were optimized to predict the invasion risk of the mealybug under current and future climate scenarios in China. The results showed that four climatic variables (annual mean temperature, mean temperature of wettest quarter, mean temperature of warmest quarter, and precipitation of driest quarter) were the key climate factors affecting the distribution of cotton mealybug. Compared with native climatic niche (hypervolume volume, HV=40.43), the niche hypervolume of cotton mealybug in the invasive areas was significantly reduced (HV=6.04). Niche contraction (the net differences between the amount of space enclosed by each hypervolume was 0.84) explained 98.8% of niche differentiation, whereas niche shift (the replacement of space between hypervolumes was 0.01) contributed less than 2%. The direction of climatic niche contraction of the pest in different invasive areas was not exactly consistent. The default parameters of MaxEnt model were unreliable (ΔAICc=14.27), and the optimal parameter combination was obtained as follows: feature combination was linear-quadratic-hinge-product and regularization multiplier was 0.5. The most suitable habitats of cotton mealybug were concentrated in the south of Huaihe River-Qinling Mountains line, and the north-central provinces contained a large area of low suitable habitat. The increase of suitable habitat was not significant at the end of 21 century (SSP1-2.6: 1.7%, SSP5-8.5: 0.7%). The multidimensional climatic niche of P. solenopsis was highly conservative. The species distribution model was suitable for analyzing its invasion risk. The northward spread was obvious, and climate change had less impact on the pest.

Field evolved insecticide resistance in the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis and its direct and indirect impacts on the endoparasitoid Aenasius arizonensis

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) an invasive mealybug on cotton is primarily controlled by conventional insecticides. An endoparasitoid Aenasius arizonenesis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a potential biocontrol agent of this pest. We assessed the susceptibility in field populations of P. solenopsis and A. arizonensis to commonly used insecticides: profenofos, imidacloprid and thiodicarb. Reproductive traits of the parasitoid and Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) parameters viz., Reduction coefficient, Descriptive analysis, Risk Index (RI), Selectivity ratio and Hazard quotient were measured to assess the direct and indirect effects of these insecticides on the parasitoid. Probit analysis revealed heterogeneity in the insecticide resistance development for both the cotton mealybug and its parasitoid. The field populations of P. solenopsis exhibited resistance to profenofos (18.87–59.86 folds) and thiodicarb (20.07 folds) and susceptibility to imidacloprid. Development of resistance to profenofos was observed in field populations of A. arizonensis. Exposure to lethal doses of imidacloprid and profenofos caused a reduction in parasitization (19–23%) and adult emergence (62–69%) of the parasitoid. Profenofos, thiodicarb and imidacloprid were found to be hazardous, non-selective and harmful to the endoparasitoid, A. arizonensis. There is an urgent need for optimizing insecticide applications for sustainable management of this invasive mealybug in cotton.

Oviposition and developmental performances of the gregarious hyperparasitoid Cheiloneurus nankingensis in relation to host age

Native generalist hyperparasitoids may not take long to exploit non-native parasitoids as hosts. The gregarious obligate hyperparasitoid Cheiloneurus nankingensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recently found in China as a new species to science and it attacks the non-native parasitoid Aenasius arizonensis, which is a potential biocontrol agent accompanying its host the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis during the invasion into Asia from North America. To determine the developmental strategy of this hyperparasitoid in relation to host age, we exposed A. arizonensis at varying ages developing in solenopsis mealybugs to hyperparasitism by C. nankingensis females. We found that female hyperparasitoids tapped their antennae with decreasing frequency and duration on middle-aged hosts compared to the younger and older ones. Female hyperparasitoids decreased the frequency of ovipositor insertion into middle-aged hosts compared to the younger and older ones, while the total duration of ovipositor insertion overall increased with host age. The probability of hyperparasitism success to production of offspring adults showed a dome-shaped curve with host age with a plateau between host ages of about 5 and 10 days. Realized brood was large around the age of 5 days and declined with younger and older hosts. Egg-to-adulthood time did not vary with host age. Sex ratio stayed alike around 0.3 (male proportion in a brood) across host ages. Body size and longevity of offspring adults did not vary with host age. Our results suggest that while a wide range of ages of A. arizonensis larvae are susceptible to hyperparasitism by C. nankingensis the middle-aged larvae are of higher quality.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE, HOST STAGE PREFERENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF RHYNOCORIS FUSCIPES (FAB.) (HETEROPTERA: REDUVIIDAE) FOR TWO COTTON PESTS

ABSTRACT Considering the indispensable role of reduviid predators in ecofriendly pest management programme, the relationship between a predatory reduviid, Rhynocoris fuscipes, and three prey species viz., red cotton bug Dysdercus koenigii Fab. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and rice flour moth Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), were scrutinized and studied to determine the influence of host species on biology, host stage preference and biological control efficiency under laboratory conditions. Rhynocoris fuscipes completed nymphal stage in 41 days when feeding on C. cephalonica, 45 on D. koenigii, and 50 days on P. solenopsis. Adult longevity, fecundity and egg viability were higher in C. cephalonica fed category and the lowest on P. solenopsis. Life table parameters were in favor of C. cephalonica. Third instars of D. koenigii were favored by third and fourth instars of the predator. Fifth instars and adults of the predator had chosen fourth and fifth instars of D. koenigii, respectively. All instars of predator preyed on adults of P. solenopsis. It is observed that the reduviid responded to increased D. koenigii and P. solenopsis density with type II functional response. Positive interactions distinctly imply that there is a salutary effect on the pest as well. Keywords: Biocontrol; cotton pests; comparative biology, life table; Rhynocoris fuscipes, Functional response

Isolation and characterization of a novel cripavirus, the first Dicistroviridae family member infecting the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis.

A new virus belonging to the family Dicistroviridae was identified in the hibiscus-infesting cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis. Using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) on an Illumina HiSeq platform, a single contig of the complete genome sequence was assembled. The authenticity of the sequence obtained by HTS was validated by RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing of the amplicons, which was also employed for the 3' untranslated region (UTR). The 5' UTR was sequenced using a rapid amplification of cDNA ends kit. A large segment encompassing the whole genome was amplified by RT-PCR using viral RNA extracted from mealybugs. A whole-genome nucleotide sequence comparison showed 89% sequence identity to aphid lethal paralysis virus (ALPV), covering a short segment of 44 bp. Pairwise amino acid sequence comparisons of the protein encoded by open reading frame (ORF) 2 with its counterparts in the GenBank database, showed less than 40% identity to several members of the genus Cripavirus, including ALPV. Phylogenetic analysis based on the deduced amino acid sequence of the ORF 2 protein showed that the new virus grouped with members of the genus Cripavirus. The intergenic region (IGR) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) showed the conserved nucleotides of a type I IGR IRES and had two bulge sites, three pseudoknots, and two stem-loops. Virus morphology visualized by transmission electron microscopy demonstrated spherical particles with a diameter of ~30 nm. This virus was the only arthropod virus identified in the sampled mealybugs, and the purified virus was able to infect cotton mealybugs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a Dicistroviridae family member infecting P. solenopsis, and we have tentatively named this virus Phenacoccus solenopsis virus (PhSoV).

Biological Activity of some Synthetic Cyanoacetamide Derivatives against some Cotton Pests

The continuous searching for new compounds that more effective is very important in the pest control field. That is because of the resistance in many pests to several pesticides. In the search for new biologically active compounds, extensive research is based on the synthesis of heterocyclic molecules. In this work, three new cyanoacetamide derivatives were synthesized and confirmed by IR spectra, mass spectra and elemental analysis. These compounds were; (1): 2-cyano-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl) acetamide, (2): (E)-2-cyano-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(methylthio)-3-(phenylamino) acrylamide and (3): 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile. They were tested as active ingredients against the 3rd instar larvae of cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd) and the adult stage of cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis under laboratory conditions. Based on the mortality percentages and LC50 values, all compounds had high toxicity against Phenacoccus solenopsis after 48 hours of treatment. While the second compound was more toxic against Spodoptera littoralis compared with other both compounds that had a very low toxicity.

Rapid and strong population genetic differentiation and genomic signatures of climatic adaptation in an invasive mealybug

AbstractAimA growing number of studies suggest that adaptation of invasive species plays key roles in their successful establishment in novel environments. However, adaptation of invasive species to climatic conditions remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to understand the population genetic structure produced by the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis invasion and to identify preliminary signals of selection during its range expansion.LocationChina.MethodsWe examined genetic structure of 11 populations across China using SNPs, microsatellites and a segment of mitochondrial cox1 gene. ADMIXTURE, STRUCTURE and DAPC were used to infer population genetic structure; the dispersal routes were reconstructed by the DIYABC; SNPs potentially related to climate adaptation were identified by using four populations differentiation methods and three environmental association methods.ResultsStrong genetic differentiation was found among populations with FST values ranging from 0.097 to 0.640 based on SNPs. Populations located at the northern expansion edge exhibited the highest genetic differentiation and the lowest genetic diversity. Demographic analyses indicated that all populations were introduced from a single source population with small effective size and low recent gene flow. RDA analysis showed that climatic variables explained a higher proportion of genetic variance (43%) compared to population structure variables (15%). The top climatic variables associated with genetic differentiation were precipitation of the mean temperature of warmest quarter, mean temperature of driest quarter and isothermality. Genes related to climate candidate SNPs were mainly enriched to pathways of development, energy and xenobiotic metabolisms.Main conclusionsWe found that extremely rapid and strong population genetic differentiation among populations appears to have developed after introduction in the cotton mealybug. Our study points to rapid neutral evolution and suggests possible climatic adaptation despite low genetic diversity in this invasive species.

Laboratory selection, cross-resistance, and estimations of realized heritability of indoxacarb resistance in Phenacoccus solenopsis (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae).

Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis is a pest of cotton, vegetables, ornamentals, and medicinal plants. In many parts of the world P. solenopsis has been managed by integration of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical methods, but in Pakistan the use of insecticide sprays has resulted in the development of resistance to some insecticides. In this study indoxacarb resistance was investigated by selecting a P. solenopsis population under laboratory conditions for many generations. The cross-resistance potential of indoxacarb resistance with other chemistries and the realized heritability of indoxacarb resistance were also evaluated. A field population of P. solenopsis selected with indoxacarb for 27 generations had a 25 623.17-fold resistance level. The highly indoxacarb resistant population showed very high cross-resistance to spinosad and very low cross-resistance to bifenthrin and chlorpyrifos. The mean estimated h2 of resistance to indoxacarb was only 0.04. The number of generations predicted for the development of ten-fold indoxacarb resistance at a constant h2 =0.04 against selection intensities of 10% and 95% were 346 and 36 (slope=3.18), 237 and 25 (slope=2.18) and 128 and 13 (slope=1.18). However, at a constant slope=1.18 and selection intensities of 10% and 95%, the same increase in indoxacarb resistance occurred after 128 and 13 (h2 =0.04), 103 and 11 (h2 =0.05), and 86 and 9 (h2 =0.06) generations. This study revealed that P. solenopsis has a very high resistance to indoxacarb as a result of laboratory selection. Thus, resistance to this insecticide in the field may also occur. Indoxacarb resistance can be minimized by rotating it with bifenthrin and/or chlorpyrifos due to its very low cross-resistance to these insecticides and by avoiding its rotation with Spinosad, which has very high cross-resistance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

De novo characterization of Phenacoccus solenopsis transcriptome and analysis of gene expression profiling during development and hormone biosynthesis

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis is a devastating pest of cotton causing tremendous loss in the yield of crops each year. Widespread physiological and biological studies on P. solenopsis have been carried out, but the lack of genetic information has constrained our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind its growth and development. To understand and characterize the different developmental stages, RNA-Seq platform was used to execute de-novo transcriptome assembly and differential gene expression profiling for the eggs, first, second, third instar and adult female stages. About 182.67 million reads were assembled into 93,781 unigenes with an average length of 871.4 bp and an N50 length of 1899 bp. These unigenes sequences were annotated and classified by performing NCBI non-redundant (Nr) database, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), Gene ontology (GO), the Swiss-Prot protein database (Swiss-Prot), and nearest related organism Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) database. To get more information regarding the process of metamorphosis, we performed a pairwise comparison of four developmental stages and obtained 29,415 differentially expressed genes. Some of the differentially expressed genes were associated with functional protein synthesis, anti-microbial protection, development and hormone biosynthesis. Functional pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes showed the positive correlation with specific physiological activities of each stage, and these results were confirmed by qRT-PCR experiments. This study gives a valuable genomics resource of P. solenopsis covering all its developmental stages and will promote future studies on biological processes at the molecular level.

Emerging insect pests in Indian agriculture

One of the major challenges to humankind is threat to food security due to emerging and invasive pests. Increased global trade in agriculture has increased the chances of the introduction of exotic pests. Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink), cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), coconut mite (Aceria guerreronis Keifer), serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii Burgess) and tomato leaf miner [Tuta absoluta (Meyrick)] are some examples. Insect pests on an average are estimated to cause 15–20% yield losses in principal major food and cash crops. Pest whose status has been changing from minor to major or secondary to primary pest is termed as an emerging pest. Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) on cotton, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on vegetables and pulses, Spodoptera litura (F.) on vegetables, cotton and oilseeds, Pieris brassicae L. on crucifers, L. trifolii on vegetables and Atherigonia spp. on spring maize, have become increasingly severe during last decade. Increasing incidence of aphid complex, comprising of Sitobion avenae (F.), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) is now observed on wheat, barley and oat. Mites of the Eriophyiidae and Tetranychidae family have emerged as major pests of bean, brinjal, cotton, cucurbits, okra, apple, ber, citrus and mango in Northern India. Maruca vitrata Geyer has emerged as a predominant pest in recent years in all pigeonpea and cowpea growing areas of India causing up to 42% damage in cowpea in Andhra Pradesh. The invasive pest, coconut eriopyhid mite, Aceria gurrreronis Keiffer caused 64.16–89.42% nut infestation in at Thane, Maharashtra in 2014. During 2015–16 an epidemic of whitefly was noticed during August in the cotton growing areas of Haryana and Punjab (Kranthi, 2015). In this review the situation of emerging insect pests of crops is discussed along with the probable reasons for their changing pest status.

Assessing the combined toxicity of conventional and newer insecticides on the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis.

Reduced susceptibility to insecticides often results in failure of insect pest control and repetitive use of broad-spectrum insecticides, which could have detrimental effects on beneficial arthropods and surrounding agro-ecosystems. The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is a pest of worldwide importance that can be effectively controlled using a number of insecticides. This insect has developed resistance due to injudicious use and repeated exposure to insecticides throughout the year. The aim of the present study was to investigate the toxicity of the insecticides chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, spinosad, emamectin benzoate and indoxacarb tested either singly or in combination on laboratory susceptible (Lab-PK) and field population (Field Pop) of P. solenopsis. In the Field Pop, combination of chlorpyrifos with either spinosad or emamectin benzoate or indoxacarb showed a synergistic effect at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20. The combination of deltamethrin with either emamectin benzoate or indoxacarb at all ratios showed synergistic effect, while the combination of deltamethrin with spinosad at 1:1 and 1:20 ratios showed antagonistic effects and that at 1:10 ratio showed synergistic effect against Field Pop. The results of synergism experiments using piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) enzyme inhibitors, when combined with insecticides against the Field Pop, toxicities of all tested insecticides were significantly increased. The present study suggests that insecticide combinations and synergism could help achieve effective control of less susceptible populations of P. solenopsis. This would contribute to suitably managing resistance of this pest to insecticides with reduced negative impacts on the surrounding environment.

On the biology and thermal developmental requirements of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Egypt

This study evaluated the thermal requirements for development of the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis depending on different biological parameters on Okra leaves Abelmoschus esculentusat under two constant temperatures (20 and 30 °C) at (RH 65%, 12:12 h. light/dark). The effect of temperature on eggs was ineffective since it hatched shortly to first nymphal instars after deposition. While the tested temperature caused significant effects on nymphal durations, pupation rate (pre-male stage), females emergence %, pre-oviposition, longevity, post-oviposition periods and fecundity in females (egg deposition, ovisacs numbers and hatchability %). The thermal constant and developmental zero were calculated to be 7.29 °C and 79.9 degree-days (DDs) for eggs, 11.67 °C and 272.9 DDs for nymphal stages, 11.06 °C and 46.4 DDs for males and then 3.31 °C and 554.1 DDs for females, respectively. The duration of the life cycle was 65.6 ± 10.36 days at 20 °C; this was shortened to 35.51 ± 1.12 days at 30 °C. The thermal requirements to complete the insect development for one generation was 8.2 °C for the developmental zero and 774.1 DDs for the thermal constant. Based on the thermal requirements values, the average life cycle duration from January to December 2016 was 61.78 days and the number of annual generations was 7.143 when the average annual temperature was 23.29 °C.

The fitness of the cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) is reduced after feeding on virus-infected Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) and Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMV), serious threats to economic crops and garden plants, have invaded southern China and widely infected Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Whether an inter-species connection has facilitated the invasion process is unclear. In this study the interaction between P. solenopsis and H. rosa-sinensis infected with CLCuMV was investigated in the laboratory. We observed that 1st and 2nd instar nymphs of P. solenopsis preferred to feed on healthy H. rosa-sinensis leaves, whereas 3rd instar nymphs and female adults had no preference between healthy and virus-infected H. rosa-sinensis leaves. The developmental time of each P. solenopsis developmental stage increased significantly after feeding on infected H. rosa-sinensis leaves (p < 0.05). In particular, the development time for 2nd instar female and male nymphs and 3rd instar female nymphs increased by approximately twofold. The generation time of female mealybugs increased from 25.84 d on healthy H. rosa-sinensis to 32.12 d when feeding on CLCuMV-infected H. rosa-sinensis, and the survival rate decreased from 71.04 % on healthy H. rosa-sinensis to 5.80 % on infected plants. Nymph survival was most affected by feeding on infected plants. Additionally, the fecundity of female mealybugs feeding on infected H. rosa-sinensis decreased by 47.8 %. Thus, feeding on CLCuMV-infected H. rosa-sinensis significantly decreased the biological fitness and invading and colonizing abilities of P. solenopsis.

Characterization of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) Resistance to Emamectin Benzoate: Cross-Resistance Patterns and Fitness Cost Analysis.

Cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) is a sucking pest of worldwide importance causing huge losses by feeding upon cotton in various parts of the world. Because of the importance of this pest, this research was carried out to select emamectin resistance in P. solenopsis in the laboratory to study cross-resistance, stability, realized heritability, and fitness cost of emamectin resistance. After selection from third generation (G3) to G6, P. solenopsis developed very high emamectin resistance (159.24-fold) when compared to a susceptible unselected population (Unsel pop). Population selected to emamectin benzoate conferred moderate (45.81-fold), low (14.06-fold), and no cross-resistance with abamectin, cypermethrin, and profenofos, respectively compared to the Unsel pop. A significant decline in emamectin resistance was observed in the resistant population when not exposed to emamectin from G7 to G13. The estimated realized heritability (h (2)) for emamectin resistance was 0.84. A high fitness cost was associated with emamectin resistance in P. solenopsis. Results of this study may be helpful in devising insecticide resistance management strategies for P. solenopsis.

Using district-level occurrences in MaxEnt for predicting the invasion potential of an exotic insect pest in India

Insect pests are a major threat to agricultural biosecurity across the world, causing substantial economic losses. Majority of the species distribution modeling studies use precise coordinates (latitude/longitude) of species occurrences in MaxEnt (or maximum entropy model). However, lack of precise coordinates of insect pest occurrences at national/regional level is a common problem for many countries including India. This is because of the limited resources, lack of nationally coordinated surveys, and growers/farmers’ privacy issues; district-level occurrences are commonly available (e.g., National Agricultural Pest Information System or NAPIS in the United States; http://pest.ceris.purdue.edu/). We demonstrated the use of MaxEnt to generate a preliminary, district-level map of the potential risk of invasion by an exotic cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in India. District-level occurrence data were integrated with bioclimatic variables (values averaged within districts) using MaxEnt. The MaxEnt model performed better than random with an average test AUC value of 0.86 (±0.05). Our model predictions matched closely with the documented occurrence of P. solenopsis in all nine cotton growing states, and also predicted suitable habitats in other districts across India. The greatest threat of P. solenopsis infestations were predicted in most districts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, southwestern Punjab, northwestern Rajasthan, and western Haryana. Precipitation of coldest quarter, temperature annual range, and precipitation seasonality were the strongest predictors associated with P. solenopsis distribution. Precipitation of coldest quarter was negatively correlated with P. solenopsis occurrence. Mapping the potential distribution of invasive species is an iterative process, and our study is the first attempt to model national-level risk assessment of P. solenopsis in India. Our results can be used for selecting monitoring and surveillance sites and designing local, regional and national-level integrated pest management policies for cotton and other cultivated crops in India. The maps of potential pest distributions are urgently needed by agriculture managers and policymakers. Our approach can be used in other countries that lack precise coordinates of insect pest occurrences and generate a preliminary map of potential risk because it may be too late to wait for the precise coordinates of pest occurrences to generate a perfect map.