Education

• B.Sc. in Soil and Crop Science and Entomology from Texas A&M University – 2018
• M.Sc. in Entomology from Texas A&M University – 2021
• Ph.D. in Entomology from Texas A&M University – 2025

Published Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts

1. Eyer, PA., Helms, A.M., Moran, M.N. et al. Reduced Cuticular Hydrocarbon Production in a Unicolonial Population of the Ant, Nylanderia fulva, Is Associated with Low Desiccation Resistance in its Invasive Range. J Chem Ecol 51, 78 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-025-01635-w

2. Alwedyan, M; Helms, AM; Grunseich, J.M.; Brewer, M, Cotton Fleahopper Herbivory on Cotton Squares Induces Plant Volatile Emissions that Repel Conspecifics. Journal of Chemical Ecology 51, 58 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-025-01612-3

3. Grunseich, J.M.; Huang, P.-C.; Bernal, J.S.; Kolomiets, M.V. Western corn rootworm resistance in maize persists in the absence of jasmonic acid. Planta 261, 6 (2025).

4. Huang, P.-C.; Yuan, P.; Grunseich, J.M.; Taylor, J.; Tienebo, E.O.; Pierson, E.; Bernal, J.S.; Kenerley, C.M.; Kolomiets, M.V. Trichoderma virens and Pseudomonas chlororaphis Differentially Regulate Maize Resistance to Anthracnose Leaf Blight and Insect Herbivores When Grown in Sterile versus Non-Sterile Soils. Plants (2024), 13(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091240

5. Russavage, E.M.; Hewlett, J.A.; Grunseich, J.M.; Szczepaniec, A.; Rooney, W.L.; Helms, A.M.; Eubanks, M.D.; Aphid-Induced Volatiles and Subsequent Attraction of Natural Enemies Varies among Sorghum Cultivars. Journal of Chemical Ecology (2023), 40, 262-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-024-01493-y

6. Huang, P.-C.; Grunseich, J.M.; Berg-Falloure, K.M.; Tolley, J.P.; Koiwa, H.; Bernal, J.S.; Kolomiets, M.V. Maize OPR2 and LOX10 Mediate Defense against Fall Armyworm and Western Corn Rootworm by Tissue-Specific Regulation of Jasmonic Acid and Ketol Metabolism. Genes (2023), 14, 1732. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14091732

7. Aguirre, N.M., Grunseich, J.M., Lima, A.F., Davis, S.D. & Helms, A.M. Plant communication across different environmental contexts suggests a role for stomata in

volatile perception. Plant, Cell & Environment, 46, 2017–2030. (2023) https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14601

8. Lima, A.F., Aguirre, N.M., Carvalho, G.A., Grunseich, J.M., Helms AM., Penaflor. Effects of neonicotinoid seed treatment on maize anti-herbivore defenses vary across plant genotypes. J Pest Sci (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-023-01641-5

9. Bernal, J.S., Helms, A.M., Fontes-Puebla, A.A., DeWitt, T.J., Kolomiets, M.V., Grunseich, J.M., . Root volatile profiles and herbivore preference are mediated by maize domestication, geographic spread, and modern breeding. Planta 257, 24 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-022-04057-0

10. Wright, C., Helms, AM., Bernal JS., Grunseich, JM., Medina, R.F., Aphelinus nigritus Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) Preference for Sorghum Aphid, Melanaphis sorghi (Theobald, 1904) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Honeydew Is Stronger in Johnson Grass, Sorghum halepense, Than in Grain Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, Insects 14(1), 10, (2023) https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010010

11. Thompson, M.N., Grunseich, J.M., Marmolejo, L.O., Aguirre, N.M., Bradicich, P.A., Behmer, S.T., Suh, C.P., Helms, A.M. Undercover operation: Belowground insect herbivory modifies systemic plant defense and repels aboveground foraging insect herbivores. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, (2022) https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.1033730

12. Rivera-Vega, L.J.; Grunseich, J.M.; Aguirre, N.M.; Valencia, C.U.; Sword, G.A.; Helms, A.M. A Beneficial Plant-Associated Fungus Shifts the Balance toward Plant Growth over Resistance, Increasing Cucumber Tolerance to Root Herbivory. Plants. 11, 282. (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030282

13. Grunseich, J.M., Aguirre N.M., Thompson M.N., Ali J.G., Helms AM. Chemical Cues from Entomopathogenic Nematodes Vary Across Three Species with Different Foraging Strategies, Triggering Different Behavioral Responses in Prey and Competitors. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 47, 822-833 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-021-01304-8

14. Walsh EM, Khan O, Grunseich J, Helms AM, Ing NH and Rangel J Pesticide Exposure During Development Does Not Affect the Larval Pheromones, Feeding Rates, or Morphology of Adult Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Queens. Front. Ecol. Evol. 9:681506. (2021) doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.681506

15. Grunseich, J.M., Thompson, M.N., Hay, A.A., Gorman, Z., Kolomiets, M.V., Eubanks, M.D., Helms A.M. Risky roots and careful herbivores: Sustained herbivory by a root-feeding herbivore attenuates indirect plant defences. Functional Ecology. 34,1779–1789 (2020). https://doi. org/10.1111/1365-2435.13627

16. Grunseich, J.M., Thompson, M.N., Aguirre, N.M., Helms A.M. The Role of Plant-Associated Microbes in Mediating Host-Plant Selection by Insect Herbivores. Plants. 9, 6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010006