Abstract: Viteus vitifoliae Fitch, an invasive alien pest that originated from North America, can seriously threaten grape production in China. In this paper, the MaxEnt ecological niche model and GIS were used to analyze environmental variables that affect the distribution of this pest. Its potential distribution range and area in China were predicted. The predicted results were verified by the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve. The results suggested that V. vitifoliae has a wide potential distribution range in China. The eastern coastal region, Loess Plateau, and central areas of China are its primary suitable distribution regions, roughly from 100°E to 124°E, and from 24°N to 43°N. The potential invasive risk of V. vitifoliae is high in all major grape production provinces except Xinjiang. The potential distribution range of V. vitifoliae is far larger than its present distribution. There is great invasive expansion potential along with increased hazard to grape production. Air temperature, especially low temperature, is the key environmental variable affecting the potential distribution of V. vitifoliae, while the effects of moisture and soil texture are weaker than that of temperature. In reference to future global warming, the suitable distribution regions will likely shift from southern to northern China, and from lowaltitude to highaltitude areas.

Key words: ecological relocation, world heritage site, diachronic study, residents&rsquo, perceptions, Wulingyuan Scenic Area.