Abstract: In order to understand the possible spread areas and harmful degree of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in China, a prediction of potential geographical distribution of B. xylophilus was conducted by using the maximum entropy(Maxent)ecological niche models and combining with geographic information system(ArcGis). The results showed that the potential distribution of B. xylophilus mainly concentrated in eastern China and southern China, and the southern parts of north China and north-east China and southwest China were middle or low suitable areas. The other parts of China were unsuitable areas. In suitable distribution areas, as long as pine host trees appeared, other environment condition would satisfied the occurance of the disease. Results of ROC(receiver operating characteristic curve)evaluation showed that training data of predicted suitable distribution areas by Maxent ecological niche models and AUC(areas under curve)of testing data were 0.987 and 0.986, respectively. The precision of prediction was extremely high. A jackknife test in Maxent showed that temperature was the most important environmental variable affecting the distribution of this pest species.