HR job title
- Assistant Professor
- Contact Info
- ORCiD
- 0000-0002-7430-5195
Helms, Anjel Assistant Professor
Positions
- Assistant Professor, Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
My current research is focused on understanding how chemical compounds mediate interactions among plants, insect herbivores, and herbivore natural enemies. More specifically, my lab is investigating how plants and insect herbivores use chemical information from their environment to assess their risk of attack.
- Overview
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- Research
- Teaching
- Works By Students
- Background
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Overview
Publications
selected publications
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academic article
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Thompson, M. N., Arriaga, J., Bradford, B. J., Kurian, R., Strozier, G., & Helms, A. M.
(2023).
Belowground insect herbivory induces systemic volatile emissions that strengthen neighbouring plant resistance aboveground. Plant, Cell and Environment.
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Aguirre, N. M., Grunseich, J. M., Lima, A. F., Davis, S. D., & Helms, A. M.
(2023).
Plant communication across different environmental contexts suggests a role for stomata in volatile perception. Plant, Cell and Environment.
46(7), 2017-2030.
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Lima, A. F., Aguirre, N. M., Carvalho, G. A., Grunseich, J. M., Helms, A. M., & Penaflor, M.
(2023).
Effects of neonicotinoid seed treatment on maize anti-herbivore defenses vary across plant genotypes. Journal of Pest Science.
1-14.
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Bernal, J. S., Helms, A. M., Fontes-Puebla, A. A., DeWitt, T. J., Kolomiets, M. V., & Grunseich, J. M.
(2022).
Root volatile profiles and herbivore preference are mediated by maize domestication, geographic spread, and modern breeding. Planta: an international journal of plant biology.
257(1), 24.
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Wright, C., Helms, A. M., Bernal, J. S., Grunseich, J. M., & Medina, R. F.
(2022).
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), 10-10.
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Lin, P., Paudel, S., Bin Zainuddin, N., Tan, C., Helms, A., Ali, J. G., & Felton, G. W.
(2022).
Low water availability enhances volatile-mediated direct defences but disturbs indirect defences against herbivores. Journal of Ecology.
110(11), 2759-2771.
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Blumenfeld, A. J., Eyer, P., Helms, A. M., Buczkowski, G., & Vargo, E. L.
(2022).
Consistent signatures of urban adaptation in a native, urban invader ant Tapinoma sessile. Molecular Ecology.
31(18), 4832-4850.
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Thompson, M. N., Medina, R. F., Helms, A. M., & Bernal, J. S.
(2022).
Improving Natural Enemy Selection in Biological Control through Greater Attention to Chemical Ecology and Host-Associated Differentiation of Target Arthropod Pests. Insects.
13(2), 160-160.
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Rivera-Vega, L. J., Grunseich, J. M., Aguirre, N. M., Valencia, C. U., Sword, G. A., & Helms, A. M.
(2022).
A Beneficial Plant-Associated Fungus Shifts the Balance toward Plant Growth over Resistance, Increasing Cucumber Tolerance to Root Herbivory. Plants.
11(3), 282-282.
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Nihranz, C. T., Helms, A. M., Tooker, J. F., Mescher, M. C., De Moraes, C. M., & Stephenson, A. G.
(2022).
Adverse effects of inbreeding on the transgenerational expression of herbivore-induced defense traits in Solanum carolinense. PLoS ONE.
17(10), e0274920-e0274920.
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Thompson, M. N., Grunseich, J. M., Marmolejo, L. O., Aguirre, N. M., Bradicich, P. A., Behmer, S. T., Suh, C., & Helms, A. M.
(2022).
Undercover operation: Belowground insect herbivory modifies systemic plant defense and repels aboveground foraging insect herbivores. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
10, 1033730.
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Lin, P., Chen, Y., Chaverra-Rodriguez, D., Heu, C. C., Zainuddin, N. B., Sidhu, J. S., ... Felton, G. W.
(2021).
Silencing the alarm: an insect salivary enzyme closes plant stomata and inhibits volatile release. New Phytologist.
230(2), 793-803.
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Grunseich, J. M., Aguirre, N. M., Thompson, M. N., Ali, J. G., & Helms, A. M.
(2021).
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(10-11), 822-833.
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Marmolejo, L. O., Thompson, M. N., & Helms, A. M.
(2021).
Defense Suppression through Interplant Communication Depends on the Attacking Herbivore Species. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
47(12), 1049-1061.
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Eyer, P., Salin, J., Helms, A. M., & Vargo, E. L.
(2021).
Distinct chemical blends produced by different reproductive castes in the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes. Scientific Reports.
11(1), 4471.
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Eyer, P., Shults, P. T., Chura, M. R., Moran, M. N., Thompson, M. N., Helms, A. M., Saran, R. K., & Vargo, E. L.
(2021).
Divide and conquer: Multicolonial structure, nestmate recognition, and antagonistic behaviors in dense populations of the invasive ant Brachymyrmex patagonicus. Ecology and Evolution.
11(9), 4874-4886.
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Yip, E. C., Mik, I., Ulmer, J. M., Cherim, N. A., Townley, M. A., Poltak, S., ... Tooker, J. F.
(2021).
Giant polyploid epidermal cells and male pheromone production in the tephritid fruit fly Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Insect Physiology.
130, 104210-104210.
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Gale, C. C., Lesne, P., Wilson, C., Helms, A. M., Suh, C., & Sword, G. A.
(2021).
Foliar herbivory increases sucrose concentration in bracteal extrafloral nectar of cotton. PLoS ONE.
16(10), e0258836-e0258836.
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Walsh, E. M., Khan, O., Grunseich, J., Helms, A. M., Ing, N. H., & Rangel, J.
(2021).
Pesticide Exposure During Development Does Not Affect the Larval Pheromones, Feeding Rates, or Morphology of Adult Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Queens. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
9, 681506.
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Esquivel, J. F., Glover, J. P., Brewer, M. J., Helms, A. M., Ree, W. O., Shirley, X. A., & Bell, A. A.
(2020).
Expansion of Geographical Range and Plant Associations of Leptoglossus clypealis: a Potential Invasive Pest of Sorghum along the Texas Gulf Coast. SOUTHWESTERN ENTOMOLOGIST.
45(1), 1-15.
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Ray, S., Helms, A. M., Matulis, N. L., Davidson-Lowe, E., Grisales, W., & Ali, J. G.
(2020).
Asymmetry in Herbivore Effector Responses: Caterpillar Frass Effectors Reduce Performance of a Subsequent Herbivore. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
46(1), 76-83.
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Acevedo, F. E., Smith, P., Peiffer, M., Helms, A., Tooker, J., & Felton, G. W.
(2019).
Phytohormones in Fall Armyworm Saliva Modulate Defense Responses in Plants. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
45(7), 598-609.
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Helms, A. M., Ray, S., Matulis, N. L., Kuzemchak, M. C., Grisales, W., Tooker, J. F., & Ali, J. G.
(2019).
Chemical cues linked to risk: Cues from below-ground natural enemies enhance plant defences and influence herbivore behaviour and performance. Functional Ecology.
33(5), 798-808.
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Yip, E. C., Sowers, R. P., Helms, A. M., Mescher, M. C., De Moraes, C. M., & Tooker, J. F.
(2019).
Trade-offs between defenses against herbivores in goldenrod (Solidago altissima). Arthropod-Plant Interactions.
13(2), 279-287.
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Grunseich, J. M., Thompson, M. N., Aguirre, N. M., & Helms, A. M.
(2019).
The Role of Plant-Associated Microbes in Mediating Host-Plant Selection by Insect Herbivores. Plants.
9(1), 6-6.
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Castano-Duque, L., Helms, A., Ali, J. G., & Luthe, D. S.
(2018).
Plant Bio-Wars: Maize Protein Networks Reveal Tissue-Specific Defense Strategies in Response to a Root Herbivore. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
44(7-8), 727-745.
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Harth, J. E., Ferrari, M. J., Helms, A. M., Tooker, J. F., & Stephenson, A. G.
(2018).
Corrigendum: Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus Infection Limits Establishment and Severity of Powdery Mildew in Wild Populations of Cucurbita pepo. Frontiers in Plant Science.
9, 1815.
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Helms, A. M., De Moraes, C. M., Trger, A., Alborn, H. T., Francke, W., Tooker, J. F., & Mescher, M. C.
(2017).
Identification of an insect-produced olfactory cue that primes plant defenses. Nature Communications.
8(1), 337.
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Ray, S., Gaffor, I., Acevedo, F. E., Helms, A., Chuang, W., Tooker, J., Felton, G. W., & Luthe, D. S.
(2015).
Maize Plants Recognize Herbivore-Associated Cues from Caterpillar Frass. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
41(9), 781-792.
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Pratt, R. B., Jacobsen, A. L., Ramirez, A. R., Helms, A. M., Traugh, C. A., Tobin, M. F., Heffner, M. S., & Davis, S. D
(2014).
Mortality of resprouting chaparral shrubs after a fire and during a record drought: physiological mechanisms and demographic consequences. Global Change Biology.
20(3), 893-907.
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Tooker, J. F., & Helms, A. M.
(2014).
Phytohormone dynamics associated with gall insects, and their potential role in the evolution of the gall-inducing habit. Journal of Chemical Ecology.
40(7), 742-753.
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Helms, A. M., De Moraes, C. M., Mescher, M. C., & Tooker, J. F.
(2014).
The volatile emission of Eurosta solidaginis primes herbivore-induced volatile production in Solidago altissima and does not directly deter insect feeding. BMC Plant Biology.
14(1), 173.
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Helms, A. M., De Moraes, C. M., Tooker, J. F., & Mescher, M. C
(2013).
Exposure of Solidago altissima plants to volatile emissions of an insect antagonist (Eurosta solidaginis) deters subsequent herbivory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
110(1), 199-204.
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Helms, A. M., Parker, V. T., Davis, S. D., Heffner, M. S., Shaver, A. R., Deroulet, A. C., ... Sayegh, E. T
(2007).
Chaparral Zonation in the Santa Monica Mountains: the Influence of Freezing Temperatures. Fremontia.
35, 12-15.
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Thompson, M. N., Arriaga, J., Bradford, B. J., Kurian, R., Strozier, G., & Helms, A. M.
(2023).
Belowground insect herbivory induces systemic volatile emissions that strengthen neighbouring plant resistance aboveground. Plant, Cell and Environment.
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conference paper
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Helms, A., De Moraes, C., Mescher, M., & Tooker, J.
(2016).
Exposure to a putative insect pheromone enhances the anti-herbivore defenses of its host plant. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.
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Helms, A., De Moraes, C., Mescher, M., & Tooker, J.
(2016).
Exposure to a putative insect pheromone enhances the anti-herbivore defenses of its host plant. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.
Research
principal investigator on
- Harnessing the chemical ecology of multitrophic interactions for plant health and protection awarded by National Institute of Food and Agriculture - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States) 2019 - 2024
- Investigating the indirect role beneficial nematodes play in plant protection against herbivores awarded by National Institute of Food and Agriculture - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States) 2020 - 2021
Teaching
teaching activities
- EEBL601 Physiological Ecology Instructor
- ENTO424 Insect Ecology Instructor
- ENTO485 Directed Studies Instructor
- ENTO491 Research Instructor
- ENTO616 Chemical Ecology Instructor
- ENTO681 Seminar Instructor
- ENTO685 Directed Studies Instructor
- ENTO689 Sptp: Chemical Ecology Instructor
- ENTO691 Research Instructor
Works By Students
chaired theses and dissertations
-
Grunseich, John Michael (2021-04). Olfactory Cues Mediate Multitrophic Interactions Among Cucumber Plants, Cucumber Beetle Larvae and Entomopathogenic Nematodes.
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Ecology, Pennsylvania State University - (State College, Pennsylvania, United States) 2015
Contact
first name
- Anjel
has last name
- Helms
mailing address
-
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Entomology
2475 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2475
USA
Other
- amhelms@tamu.edu