Abstract:  【Aim】 The objective of this research is to analyze and predict the potential geographical distributions of two important mirid predators Tytthus chinensis and Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, of rice planthoppers, and to study the effects of climatic factors on their potential geographical distribution. 【Methods】 Maximum entropy niche-based modeling (MaxEnt) was used to predict species geographical distributions based on maximum entropy. The distribution records of the two mirid species and a set of environmental predictor variables were used to model the suitable geographical distributions of the two species. 【Results】 The results showed that the principal geographical distribution areas of T. chinensis were Southeast China, East Asia, Southeast Asia and parts of the Indonesia or within the geographical biomes of the Oriental and Australia. The suitable distribution areas of C. lividipennis were relatively broader in comparison with those of T. chinensis. In addition to the distribution area of T. chinensis, C. lividipennis could possibly survive in Shandong, Hebei, Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces in China, and the Amazon region as well. The suitability of T. chinensis and C. lividipennis was found to be affected significantly by the precipitation in the warmest season and the mean diurnal range. Especially, the precipitation in the warmest season exceeding 500 mm and the mean diurnal range monthly below 10℃ are the more favorable conditions for the distribution of T. chinensis and C. lividipennis. 【Conclusion】 Our results revealed that the suitable distribution of these two predators is primarily affected by the precipitation in the warmest season and the mean diurnal temperature range monthly. This study provides some important evidence for successful biological control of the two mirids in these potential distribution regions.

Key words: Tytthus chinensis, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, distribution, habitat suitability analysis, environmental climate factors, MaxEnt model