Exploring the Dynamic Invasion Pattern of the Black-Headed Fall Webworm in China: Susceptibility to Topography, Vegetation, and Human Activities.

Simple Summary: In recent years, the damage inflicted upon vegetation by the fall webworm (FWW), Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiidae), has escalated globally. The black-headed fall webworm has extensively invaded regions in Europe and Asia. In China, scholars have conducted extensive research on the fall webworm. However, there has been limited research on the dynamics of invasion by the black-headed form of the fall webworm and the comprehensive interplay of various factors affecting its spread. Therefore, this study focuses on the dynamics of invasion by the black-headed form of the fall webworm and the combined influence of various factors affecting its spread. The plan is to map the invasion road map of Autumn Dictyophora melanocephala since its introduction into China and summarize the effects of terrain, vegetation, and human factors on the temporal and spatial changes of the species. The fall webworm (FWW), H. cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiidae), is an extremely high-risk globally invasive pest. Understanding the invasion dynamics of invasive pests and identifying the critical factors that promote their spread is essential for devising practical and efficient strategies for their control and management. The invasion dynamics of the FWW and its influencing factors were analyzed using standard deviation ellipse and spatial autocorrelation methods. The analysis was based on statistical data on the occurrence of the FWW in China. The dissemination pattern of the FWW between 1979 and 2022 followed a sequence of "invasion-occurrence-transmission-outbreak", spreading progressively from coastal to inland regions. Furthermore, areas with high nighttime light values, abundant ports, and non-forested areas with low vegetation cover at altitudes below 500 m were more likely to be inhabited by the black-headed FWW. The dynamic invasion pattern and the driving factors associated with the fall webworm (FWW) provide critical insights for future FWW management strategies. These strategies serve not only to regulate the dissemination of insects and diminish migratory tendencies but also to guarantee the implementation of efficient early detection systems and prompt response measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]