Research Trends, Literature-Reported Occurrence Patterns, and Ecological Implications of Tuta absoluta in Agroecosystems of South China Karst

Biological invasions by non-native pest species can threaten agricultural production, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. Tuta absoluta is a destructive invasive pest of tomato and other solanaceous crops. This review analyzed 97 eligible records published between 2010 and 2025 from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS), combining scientometric analysis with systematic synthesis to examine research trends, reported occurrences, and potential ecological impacts. In South China, karst rocky desertification restoration zones are important for food production and ecological recovery, but their fragile environments may increase vulnerability to pest invasion. The results show a steady increase in related publications, with research themes shifting from field investigation and chemical control toward habitat suitability assessment, invasion mechanisms, ecological effects, and sustainable management. Literature-reported occurrences of T. absoluta in South China karst show a spatially heterogeneous distribution, with records concentrated mainly in parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. Available evidence strongly supports direct crop damage and indicates potential ecological risks associated with increased pesticide inputs and non-target effects, whereas broader links with vegetation decline, soil processes, microbial changes, and agroecosystem degradation remain insufficiently validated. Future studies should strengthen standardized monitoring, fine-scale risk assessment, direct field validation of proposed ecological pathways, and locally adapted ecological management strategies.