Distribution scenario of two species of green bugs Brachynema germarii and Nezara viridula (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae) in Kerman Province

In order to determining of the distribution models and potential areas of two heteropteran green bugs, namely Brachynema germarii and Nezara viridula, the Maximum Entropy model (Maxent) was used to predict their potential distribution in 11 climates of Kerman province. Nezara viridula is known as the important pest of cotton as well as for vegetables and cucurbits. Brachynema germarii is a well-known pest of pistachio trees, which transmits fungi and causes stigmatomycosis. Distribution model was obtained using seven environmental predictors and presence records. The accuracy of distribution models was also evaluated by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value. According to the Jackknife test, the annual mean temperature and the mean diurnal range were the most contributing bioclimatic variables in B. germarii and N. viridula distribution modeling. The results showed that dry climate with cool winters and warm to very warm summer in the northern and central parts of the Kerman province were suitable for occurrence of B. germarii. Species distribution model of N. viridula showed its suitable distribution in dry climates with mild to cool winters and very warm summers, in the southern of Kerman province. The AUC values, based on training data, were 0.81 for B. germarii, 0.90 for N. viridula confirming the high accuracy of Maxent in predicting the distribution model of the two stink bugs.