
Justin B. Runyon
Research Entomologist
Montana State University Campus
1648 South 7th Avenue
Bozeman
Montana
United States
59717-2780
Phone: 406-312-9054
Fax: 406-994-5916
Contact Justin B. Runyon
Current Research
Justin's research focuses on plant-insect chemical ecology. His current research includes: (1) understanding the role floral scent plays in plant-pollinator interactions and how environmental stressors alter scent and pollinator attraction, (2) examining tree chemistry to understand host selection and resistance to bark beetles, and (3) exploring chemically-mediated interactions between invasive plants and herbivores.
Justin also has projects on assessing “pollinator-friendliness” of native plants for restoration, determining management and disturbance effects (e.g., bark beetle outbreaks) on pollinators, and the taxonomy and biodiversity of long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
Research Interests
Chemistry plays a critical role in most species interactions and underpins community structure and function. I seek to understand chemistry's function in the World and exploit it to better manage and restore ecosystems. One example is the chemical interactions between bark beetles and trees. Our work revealed that host-searching mountain pine beetles are repelled by volatiles emitted by Great Basin Bristlecone pine (but strongly attracted to odors from other pine species). Understanding what it is about this blend of odors that repels beetles could allow development of new strategies for managing this important forest insect. Another example is biological control, the only tool capable of managing widespread exotic plant invasions. However, some biological control agents obtain approval and are released, but fail to impact weed populations. A better understanding of the interactions between biocontrol agents and their invasive host plants is needed to identify the factors which promote or limit successful biocontrol. My approach is to apply the chemical ecology of plant-herbivore interactions to classical biological control of weeds - two fields which have largely progressed independently to date. Chemistry plays a central role in determining ecological outcomes between plants and insects and should provide information that can be used to better predict which potential agents are most likely to be effective.
Past Research
1. Chemical Ecology of interactions between parasitic plants, their host plants, and insect herbivores. 2. Biological control and chemical ecology of the tritrophic system consisting of the wheat stem sawfly, host plants, and natural enemies. 3. How bark beetle attack alters tree chemistry and how this affects flammability to better predict and manage wildfires. 4. exploiting sagebrush chemistry to improve restoration.
Why This Research is Important
This research will better position us to devise and apply management to address important issues including invasive plants, pollinators, and bark beetles. It will also advance our basic understanding of the ecology of plant-insect interactions.
Education
- University of Virginia's College at Wise, VA, B.S. Biology and Mathematics 1998
- Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, M.S. Entomology 2001
- Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Ph.D. Entomology 2008
Awards & Recognition
- Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, 2014
This is "the highest honor that the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Ag Alumni Society present to select alumni who have achieved notable professional achievements and brought distinction to themselves, the college, and the University." - Kavli Fellow, 2014
Invited to participate in the Kavli Frontiers of Science symposiumin Medan, Indonesia in June 2014. This is the premiere activity within the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for distinguished young scientists. - Deputy Chief's Early Career Scientist Award , 2012
This honor was awarded "in recognition of your outstanding research productivity and your impacts on science including your major efforts in science delivery." Received February 2013 in Washington D.C. - Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering (PECASE) , 2012
This is "the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers". Received April 2014 in Washington D.C.
Featured Publications & Products
- Runyon, Justin B.; Gray, Curtis A.; Jenkins, Michael J. 2020. Volatiles of high-elevation five-needle pines: Chemical signatures through ratios and insight into insect and pathogen resistance.
- Burkle, Laura A.; Runyon, Justin B. 2019. Floral volatiles structure plant-pollinator interactions in a diverse community across the growing season.
- Jamieson, Mary A.; Burkle, Laura A.; Manson, Jessamyn S.; Runyon, Justin B.; Trowbridge, Amy M.; Zientek, Joseph. 2017. Global change effects on plant-insect interactions: The role of phytochemistry.
- Burkle, Laura A.; Runyon, Justin B. 2016. Drought and leaf herbivory influence floral volatiles and pollinator attraction.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Birdsall, Jennifer L. 2016. Costs of induced defenses for the invasive plant houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.) and the potential importance for weed biocontrol.
- Birdsall, Jennifer L.; McCaughey, Ward; Runyon, Justin B. 2012. Roads impact the distribution of noxious weeds more than restoration treatments in a lodgepole pine forest in Montana, U.S.A.
- Jenkins, Michael J.; Runyon, Justin B.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Page, Wesley G.; Bentz, Barbara J. 2014. Interactions among the mountain pine beetle, fires, and fuels.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Mescher, Mark C.; De Moraes, Consuelo M. 2006. Volatile chemical cues guide host location and host selection by parasitic plants.
- Pearson, Dean E.; Ortega, Yvette K.; Runyon, Justin B.; Butler, Jack L. 2016. Secondary invasion: The bane of weed management.
- Borkent, Art; Brown, Brian V.; Adler, Peter H.; Amorim, Dalton de Souza; Barber, Kevin; Bickel, Daniel; Boucher, Stephanie; Brooks, Scott E.; Burger, John; Burington, Zelia L.; Capellari, Renato S.; Costa, Daniel N. R.; Cumming, Jeffrey M.; Curler, Greg; Dick, Carl W.; Epler, John H.; Fisher, Eric; Gaimari, Stephen D.; Gelhaus, Jon; Grimaldi, David A.; Hash, John; Hauser, Martin; Hippa, Heikki; Ibanez-Bernal, Sergio; Jaschhof, Mathias; Kameneva, Elena P.; Kerr, Peter H.; Korneyev, Valery; Korytkowski, Cheslavo A.; Kung, Giar-Ann; Kvifte, Gunnar Mikalsen; Lonsdale, Owen; Marshall, Stephen A.; Mathis, Wayne N.; Michelsen, Verner; Naglis, Stefan; Norrbom, Allen L.; Paiero, Steven; Pape, Thomas; Pereira-Colavite, Alessandre; Pollet, Marc; Rochefort, Sabrina; Rung, Alessandra; Runyon, Justin B.; Savage, Jade; Silva, Vera C.; Sinclair, Bradley J.; Skevington, Jeffrey H.; Stireman, John O., III.; Swann, John; Thompson, F. Christian; Vilkamaa, Pekka; Wheeler, Terry; Whitworth, Terry; Wong, Maria; Wood, D. Monty; Woodley, Norman; Yau, Tiffany; Zavortink, Thomas J.; Zumbado, Manuel A. 2018. Remarkable fly (Diptera) diversity in a patch of Costa Rican cloud forest: Why inventory is a vital science.
Publications
- Fettig, Chris; Hood, Sharon; Runyon, Justin; Stalling, Chris. 2021. Bark beetle and fire interactions in western coniferous forests: Research findings.
- Audley, Jackson P.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Steven Munson, A. ; Runyon, Justin B.; Mortenson, Leif A.; Steed, Brytten E.; Gibson, Kenneth E.; Jørgensen, Carl L.; McKelvey, Stephen R.; McMillin, Joel D.; Negrón, Jose F. 2021. Dynamics of beetle-killed snags following mountain pine beetle outbreaks in lodgepole pine forests.
- Finch, Deborah M.; Butler, Jack L.; Runyon, Justin B.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Kilkenny, Francis F.; Jose, Shibu; Frankel, Susan J.; Cushman, Samuel A.; Cobb, Richard C.; Dukes, Jeffrey S.; Hicke, Jeffrey A.; Amelon, Sybill K. 2021. Effects of Climate Change on Invasive Species.
- Poland, Therese M.; Juzwik, Jennifer ; Rowley, Allen ; Huebner, Cynthia D.; Kilgo, John C.; Lopez, Vanessa M.; Olson, Deanna H.; Pearson, Dean E.; Progar, Robert ; Rabaglia, Robert ; Rothlisberger, John D.; Runyon, Justin ; Sing, Sharlene E. 2021. Management of Landscapes for Established Invasive Species.
- Foote, Gabriel ; Fettig, Christopher ; Ross, Darrell ; Runyon, Justin ; Coleman, Tom ; Gaylord, Monica ; Graves, Andrew ; McMillin, Joel ; Mortenson, Leif ; Mafra-Neto, Agenor . 2020. A biodegradable formulation of MCH (3-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one) for protecting Pseudotsuga menziesii from Dendroctonus pseudotsugae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) colonization.
- Foote, Gabriel ; Foote, Nathaniel ; Runyon, Justin ; Ross, Darrell ; Fettig, Christopher J. 2020. Changes in the summer wild bee community following a bark beetle outbreak in a Douglas-fir forest.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Trilling, Jared A.; Munson, A. Steven; Mortenson, Leif A.; Steed, Brytten E.; Gibson, Kenneth E.; Jørgensen, Carl L.; McKelvey, Stephen R.; McMillin, Joel D.; Audley, Jackson P.; Negron, Jose F. 2020. Changes in understory vegetation including invasive weeds following mountain pine beetle outbreaks.
- Malone, Shealyn C.; Weaver, David K.; Seipel, Tim F.; Menalled, Fabian D.; Hofland, Megan L.; Runyon, Justin B.; Trowbridge, Amy M. 2020. Herbivore-induced volatile emissions are altered by soil legacy effects in cereal cropping systems.
- Audley, Jackson P.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Steven Munson, A. ; Runyon, Justin B.; Mortenson, Leif A.; Steed, Brytten E.; Gibson, Kenneth E.; Jørgensen, Carl L.; McKelvey, Stephen R.; McMillin, Joel D.; Negrón, Jose F. 2020. Impacts of mountain pine beetle outbreaks on lodgepole pine forests in the Intermountain West, U.S., 2004 2019.
- Burkle, Laura A.; Glenny, William R.; Runyon, Justin B. 2020. Intraspecific and interspecific variation in floral volatiles over time.
- Runyon, Justin . 2020. Invasive Species Science Update (No. 12).
- Gaskin, John F.; Espeland, Erin ; Johnson, Casey D.; Larson, Diane L.; Mangold, Jane M.; McGee, Rachel A.; Milner, Chuck ; Paudel, Shishir ; Pearson, Dean E.; Perkins, Lora B.; Prosser, Chadley W.; Runyon, Justin B.; Sing, Sharlene E.; Sylvain, Zachary A.; Symstad, Amy J.; Tekiela, Daniel R. 2020. Managing invasive plants on Great Plains grasslands: A discussion of current challenges.
- Ott, Daniel S.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Munson, A. Steven; Runyon, Justin B.; Ross, Darrell W. 2020. Physical and chemical characteristics of blue and Engelmann spruce relative to spruce beetle host selection and colonization.
- Runyon, Justin B. 2020. The Dolichopodidae (Diptera) of Montserrat, West Indies.
- Delphia, Casey M.; Runyon, Justin B.; O’Neill, Kevin M. 2019. Clear plastic bags of bark mulch trap and kill female Megachile (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) searching for nesting sites.
- Gray, Curtis A.; Runyon, Justin B.; Jenkins, Michael J. 2019. Great Basin bristlecone pine volatiles as a climate change signal across environmental gradients.
- Runyon, Justin . 2019. Invasive Species Science Update (No. 11).
- Runyon, J. B.; Pollet, M. . 2019. The genus Enlinia Aldrich in Chile (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), with the description of four new species.
- Runyon, Justin B. 2019. Two new species of Hurleyella Runyon and Robinson (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), with the first record from the Neotropics.
- Brown, Brian V.; Borkent, Art; Adler, Peter H.; Amorim, Dalton de Souza; Barber, Kevin; Bickel, Daniel; Boucher, Stephanie; Brooks, Scott E.; Burger, John; Burington, Zelia L.; Capellari, Renato S.; Costa, Daniel N. R.; Cumming, Jeffrey M.; Curler, Greg; Dick, Carl W.; Epler, John H.; Fisher, Eric; Gaimari, Stephen D.; Gelhaus, Jon; Grimaldi, David A.; Hash, John; Hauser, Martin; Hippa, Heikki; Ibanez-Bernal, Sergio; Jaschhof, Mathias; Kameneva, Elena P.; Kerr, Peter H.; Korneyev, Valery; Korytkowski, Cheslavo A.; Kung, Giar-Ann; Kvifte, Gunnar Mikalsen; Lonsdale, Owen; Marshall, Stephen A.; Mathis, Wayne; Michelsen, Verner; Naglis, Stefan; Norrbom, Allen L.; Paiero, Steven; Pape, Thomas; Pereira-Colavite, Alessandre; Pollet, Marc; Rochefort, Sabrina; Rung, Alessandra; Runyon, Justin B.; Savage, Jade; Silva, Vera C.; Sinclair, Bradley J.; Skevington, Jeffrey H.; Stireman, John O., III.; Swann, John; Thompson, F. Christian; Vilkamaa, Pekka; Wheeler, Terry; Whitworth, Terry; Wong, Maria; Wood, D. Monty; Woodley, Norman; Yau, Tiffany; Zavortink, Thomas J.; Zumbado, Manuel A. 2018. Comprehensive inventory of true flies (Diptera) at a tropical site.
- Glenny, William R.; Runyon, Justin B.; Burkle, Laura A. 2018. Drought and increased CO2 alter floral visual and olfactory traits with context-dependent effects on pollinator visitation.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Pollet, Marc . 2018. Enlinia Aldrich, 1933 of Mitaraka, French Guiana (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
- Runyon, Justin. 2018. Invasive Species Science Update (No. 10).
- Runyon, Justin B.; Capellari, Renato S. 2018. Palpi aplenty: New species in the Chrysotus longipalpus species group (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
- Pearson, Dean E.; Ortega, Yvette K.; Runyon, Justin ; Butler, Jack L. 2018. Secondary invasion re-redefined: The distinction between invader-facilitated and invader-contingent invasions as subclasses of secondary invasion.
- Runyon, Justin. 2017. Invasive Species Science Update (No. 9).
- Burkle, Laura A.; Runyon, Justin B. 2017. The smell of environmental change: Using floral scent to explain shifts in pollinator attraction.
- Runyon, Justin B. 2016. A dolichopodid hotspot: Montana's Milligan Creek Canyon.
- Rand, Tatyana A.; Morrill, Wendell L.; Runyon, Justin B.; Hoelmer, Kim A.; Shanower, Thomas G.; Littlefield, Jeffrey L.; Weaver, David K. 2016. Assessing phenological synchrony between the Chinese sawfly, Cephus fumipennis, its egg-larval parasitoid, Collyria catoptron, and the North American sawfly, Cephus cinctus: Implications for biological control.
- Finch, Deborah M.; Pendleton, Rosemary L.; Reeves, Matt C.; Ott, Jeffrey E.; Kilkenny, Francis F.; Butler, Jack L.; Ott, Jacqueline P.; Pinto, Jeremy R.; Ford, Paulette L.; Runyon, Justin B.; Rumble, Mark A.; Kitchen, Stanley G. 2016. Rangeland drought: Effects, restoration, and adaptation Chap. 8.
- Jaeger, Deidre M.; Runyon, Justin B.; Richardson, Bryce A. 2016. Signals of speciation: Volatile organic compounds resolve closely related sagebrush taxa, suggesting their importance in evolution.
- Pape, Thomas; Allison, Allen; Bickel, Daniel J.; Dikow, Torsten; Donegan, Thomas; Duszynski, Donald W.; El-Hawagry, Magdi S.; Evenhuis, Neal L.; Fautin, Daphne G.; Gaimari, Stephen D.; Gharali, Babak; Greenwalt, Dale E.; Kaiser, Hinrich; Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H.; Lamas, Gerardo; Lonsdale, Owen; Mah, Christopher; Marshall, Stephen A.; Meier, Rudolf; Ohl, Michael; Patterson, David J.; Penev, Lyubomir; Pentcheff, N. Dean; Pyle, Richard L.; Rubinoff, Daniel J.; Runyon, Justin; Tallowin, Oliver; Thorpe, Stephen; Nanjing, Bo Wang; Welter-Schultes, Francisco; Yanega, Douglas; Yang, Ding; Hangzhou, Gang Yao; Yeung, Norine W. 2016. Species can be named from photos.
- Giunta, A. D.; Runyon, Justin; Jenkins, M. J.; Teich, M. 2016. Volatile and within-needle terpene changes to Douglas-fir trees associated with Douglas-fir beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) attack.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Hurley, Richard L. 2015. A revision of the Nearctic species of Liancalus (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
- Dumroese, Kas; Luna, Tara; Richardson, Bryce A.; Kilkenny, Francis F.; Runyon, Justin B. 2015. Conserving and restoring habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse and other sagebrush-obligate wildlife: The crucial link of forbs and sagebrush diversity.
- Runyon, Justin B. 2015. Haromyia, a new genus of long-legged flies from Dominica (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
- Fettig, Christopher J.; Gibson, Kenneth E.; Jørgensen, Carl L.; Munson, Steven ; Negrón, Jose F.; Runyon, Justin B.; Steed, Brytten E. 2015. Impacts of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks on forest conditions in the Intermountain West.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Ivie, Michael A.; Evenhuis, Neal L. 2015. Liancalus Loew, 1857 and Scellus Loew, 1857 (Insecta, Diptera, DOLICHOPODIDAE): Proposed conservation of the names by designation of Dolichopus regius Fabricius, 1805 as type species for Anoplomerus Rondani, 1856 Case 3681.
- Gray, Curtis A.; Runyon, Justin B.; Jenkins, Michael J.; Giunta, Andrew D. 2015. Mountain pine beetles use volatile cues to locate host limber pine and avoid non-host Great Basin bristlecone pine.
- Page, Wesley G.; Jenkins, Michael J.; Runyon, Justin B. 2014. Spruce beetle-induced changes to Engelmann spruce foliage flammability.
- Gillette, Nancy E.; Wood, David L.; Hines, Sarah J.; Runyon, Justin B.; Negron, Jose F. 2014. The once and future forest: Consequences of mountain pine beetle treatment decisions.
- Littlefield, J. L.; Markin, G.; Kashefi, J.; de Meij, A.; Runyon, J. 2013. The release and recovery of Bradyrrhoa gilveolella on rush skeletonweed in southern Idaho.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Butler, Jack L.; Friggens, Megan M.; Meyer, Susan E.; Sing, Sharlene E. 2012. Invasive species and climate change (Chapter 7).
- Page, Wesley G.; Jenkins, Michael J.; Runyon, Justin B. 2012. Mountain pine beetle attack alters the chemistry and flammability of lodgepole pine foliage.
- Runyon, Justin B. 2012. The Nearctic species of Telmaturgus (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
- Runyon, Justin B. 2010. A new synonymy in Erebomyia (Diptera: Dolichopodidae).
- Runyon, Justin; Robinson, Harold. 2010. Hurleyella, a new genus of Nearctic Dolichopodidae (Diptera).
- Runyon, Justin B.; Mescher, Mark C.; Felton, Gary W.; De Moraes, Consuelo M. 2010. Parasitism by Cuscuta pentagona sequentially induces JA and SA defence pathways in tomato.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Mescher, Mark C.; De Moraes, Consuelo M. 2010. Plant defenses against parasitic plants show similarities to those induced by herbivores and pathogens.
- Hurley, Richard L.; Runyon, Justin B. 2009. A review of Erebomyia (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), with descriptions of three new species.
- Weaver, David K.; Buteler, Micaela; Hofland, Megan L.; Runyon, Justin B.; Nansen, Christian; Talbert, Luther E.; Lamb, Peggy; Carlson, Gregg R. 2009. Cultivar preferences of ovipositing wheat stem sawflies as influenced by the amount of volatile attractant.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Tooker, John F.; Mescher, Mark C.; De Moraes, Consuelo M. 2009. Parasitic plants in agriculture: Chemical ecology of germination and host-plant location as targets for sustainable control: A review.
- Runyon, Justin B. 2008. New species of long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from central Pennsylvania.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Mescher, Mark C.; De Moraes, Consuelo M. 2008. Parasitism by Cuscuta pentagona attenuates host plant defenses against insect herbivores.
- Runyon, Justin. 2008. Richard L. Hurley, 1934-2008.
- Runyon, Justin. 2008. The cingulum: A unique structure of some Dolichopodidae.
- Mescher, Mark C.; Runyon, Justin B.; De Moraes, Consuelo M. 2006. Plant host finding by parasitic plants: A new perspective on plant to plant communication.
- Weaver, David K.; Nansen, Christian; Runyon, Justin B.; Sing, Sharlene E.; Morrill, Wendell L. 2005. Spatial distributions of Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) and its braconid parasitoids in Montana wheat fields.
- Nansen, Christian; Weaver, David K.; Sing, Sharlene E.; Runyon, Justin B.; Morrill, Wendell L.; Grieshop, Matthew J.; Shannon, Courtney L.; Johnson, Megan L. 2005. Within-field spatial distribution of Cephus cinctus (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) larvae in Montana wheat fields.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Hurley, Richard L. 2004. A new genus of long-legged flies displaying remarkable wing directional asymmetry.
- Runyon, Justin B.; Hurley, Richard L. 2003. Revision of the Nearctic species of Nepalomyia Hollis ( Neurigonella Robinson) (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Peloropeodinae) with a world catalog.
- Daisy, Bryn H.; Strobel, Gary A.; Castillo, Uvidelio; Ezra, David; Sears, Joe; Weaver, David K.; Runyon, Justin B. 2002. Naphthalene, an insect repellent, is produced by Muscodor vitigenus, a novel endophytic fungus.
Research Highlights
Highlight | Title | Year |
![]() RMRS-2011-13 | Biological control of invasive plants Scientists are studying chemical ecology regarding the biocontrol of weeds and discovering that biocontrol insects affect weed chemistry in very ... | 2011 |
![]() RMRS-2014-118 | Drought Stress Changes Floral Scent and Reduces Pollinator Visitation Pollinators assist 80 percent of flowering plants in their reproduction, which accounts for much of the food ingested by humans and wildlife. Th ... | 2014 |
![]() RMRS-2016-248 | Sagebrush Scent Identifies Species and Subspecies Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is the dominant plant species across much of the western United States and provides critical habitat and fo ... | 2016 |
![]() RMRS-2016-199 | The Bane of Weed Management: Secondary Invasions Weed management can result in unintentional secondary invasion: an increase in non-target exotics following efforts to suppress targeted invasiv ... | 2016 |
![]() RMRS-2012-14 | Unwanted Side Effects of Roads Are Invasive Species Monitoring invasive plants is an important component of forest restoration | 2012 |