Scott Salom

Courses Taught

• ENT 5264 Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds (odd years –spring semester)
• FREC 4514 Forest and Tree Pest Management (fall semester every year) Co-Instructor is Carrie Fearer (FREC)

Research Program

We work on integrated pest management of forest insect and weed pests. Our focus has leaned toward non-native invaders, and within the context of IPM, our projects are focused on the development, implementation, and assessment of classical and augmentative biological control programs.    Below are two principal programmatic areas we focus our research and operational efforts on:

• THE HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID (HWA), causing large-scale decline and mortality of eastern and Carolina hemlocks – we study, rear, release, and evaluate impacts of imported HWA predators.
• TREE OF HEAVEN (TOH), a noxious weed that displaces native vegetation in disturbed settings and serves as a critical host of spotted lanternfly – we evaluate the use of a native fungus and deploy it as an experimental bioherbicide. We also study restoration of sites where TOH is removed.  We have a weevil imported from China as a potential BC agent, maintained in quarantine, currently being vetted through the permitting process of USDA.

Currently Funded Project Titles

Hemlock woolly adelgid

• Biological Studies and Field Releases of HWA Specialist Predators Leucopis spp. Silver Flies.  (Salom - PI). Funding Source: USDA Forest Service (2021-2024)
• Mass Rearing of Laricobius spp. and Leucopis spp., Specialist Predators of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. (Salom - PI). Funding Source: USDA Forest Service. (2021-2026)
• Field and biological studies of Laricobius species with emphasis on the subterranean portion of their life cycle. (Salom - PI). Funding Source: USDA Forest Service (2020 – 2025)
• Impact Assessment of the Coastal Strain of Laricobius nigrinus on HWA Density and Hemlock Health: Phase 3 of a Cooperative Effort.  (Salom - PI). Funding Source: USDA Forest Service (2019-2024)
• On-line Database Monitoring and Evaluating Releases and Recoveries of all Non-native Predators of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.  (Dodd PI, Salom co-PI). Funding Source: USDA Forest Service (2019-2024)

Tree of Heaven

• Testing a naturally occurring bioherbicide against the invasive tree of heaven, a preferred host for spotted lanternfly. (Salom - PI).   Funding Source:  Virginia Agricultural Council (2022-2024)
• Restoration of Ailanthus Stands Following Their Removal With a Bioherbicide. (Salom and Barney PIs).  Funding Source: Virginia Department of Forestry (2021-2025)
• Registration of Verticillium nonalfalfae to control tree-of-heaven. (Salom and Baudoin, PIs).  Funding Source: BioProdex Inc (2021-2025)

Staff

Ryan Mays (rymays@vt.edu)

Aryanna James (aryannaj@vt.edu)

Mary Hoffman (mhoffma@vt.edu)

Students

Olivia Andrews -Ph.D. student since fall 2021 (okandrews21@vt.edu)

Timothy Shively – Ph.D. student in SPES since fall 2021 co-advised with Dr. Jacob Barney (tshively@vt.edu)

Past Students (Project title and Honors and Awards They Received While Affiliated with Virginia Tech)

Chris Fettig (M.S. 1996) - Current Position: Research Entomologist and Team Leader, USDA Forest Service, Pacific  S.W. Res. Sta., Davis, CA (email: cfettig@usda.gov Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/about/people/cfettig)

Thesis Title: Development and evaluation of trapping studies for Hylobius pales (Herbst) and Pissodes nemorensis Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Virginia Christmas tree plantations.

Awards and Honors: Recipient, President’s Prize Award for outstanding student presentation at the 42^nd Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Dallas, TX.

Don Grosman (Ph.D. 1996) - Technology Advancement Manager, Arborjet, Inc.  99 Blueberry Hill Rd., Woburn, MA (e-mail: dgrosman@arborjet.com)

Dissertation Title: Southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis. Zimm. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae): quantitative analysis of chiral semiochemicals.

Awards and Honors: Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid Research Award (1993); VT Grad Res. Assoc. Res. Grant (1994); James Grayson Scholarship for Outstanding Ph.D. student in Department of Entomology (1996)

Gabriella Zilahi-Balogh (Ph.D. 2001 and (Res Scientist - 2001-03) – Retired Entomologist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Kelowna, BC. Canada (email: gzilahib@gmail.com)

Dissertation Title: Biology of Laricobius nigrinus Fender (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and its evaluation as a potential biological control agent of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae)

Awards and Honors: James Grayson Scholarship for Outstanding Ph.D. Student in Department of Entomology (2000); Honorable mention student paper competition Joint Ent. Soc of Canada/Ent. Soc of America Annual Meeting (2000); Ph.D. Research Award, VT Chapter of Sigma Xi (2002); J. H. Comstock Award for Eastern Branch - Entomological Society of America (2002); Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, Dept. of Entomology, VT (2009)

Corey Broeckling (M.S. 2002) - Director, Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO.  (e-mail: cbroeckl@lamar.colostate.edu)

Thesis Title: The Role olfaction plays in host finding for two specialist predators of hemlock woolly adelgid

Awards and Honors: President's Prize for Student Paper Competition in the Ecology/Behavior Section at the National Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (2001)

Holly Gatton (M.S. 2005) – Formerly employed with the Forest Entomology Lab @ Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA  (e-mail: hgatton@vt.edu)

Thesis Title: Biology and host-range testing of Laricobius kangdingensis sp. n. (Coleoptera:  Derodontidae), a newly discovered predator of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Homoptera: Adelgidae)

Ashley Lamb Galloway (Ph.D. 2005) and (Post-doctoral Associate - 2005-10) Assistant Professor of Biology, Dept. of Mathematics and Sciences, Roane State Community College, Harriman, TN (e-mail: gallowayab@roanestate.edu)

Dissertation Title:  Evaluating the suitability of Laricobius nigrinus Fender [Coleoptera: Derodontidae] as a biological control agent for hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand [Hemiptera: Adelgidae]

Awards and Honors: Honorable Mention for Student Paper Competition in the Biological Control Section of the National Meeting of the Entomol. Soc. of Amer. (2001); Asa Fitch Award (Outstanding M.S. student) Annual Eastern Branch - Entomological Society of America (2002); Served two consecutive terms as President of the Virginia Tech Entomology Graduate Student Alwood Society (2002-04); Awarded the Gene A. and Ina Mae James graduate student tuition scholarship (2003); James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Entomology (2005)

Robbie Flowers (Ph.D. 2006) - Forest Health Program Manager / Entomologist, USDA Forest Service, FHP, PNW Region, Bend OR (e-mail: robbie.flowers@usda.gov)

Dissertation Title:  Competitive interactions among two specialist predators and a generalist predator of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae.

Awards and Honors: 2nd Place in Student Poster Competition at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Branch - Entomological Society of America (2005); Served as President of the Virginia Tech Entomology Graduate Student Alwood Society (2005-06); James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Entomology (2006); Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, Dept. of Entomology (2008)

Grace Lim (Ph.D. 2007) – Part-time science writer and former editor for Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. (e-mail: gracetabithalim@gmail.com)

Dissertation Title:  Enhancing the potential of the weaver ant as a biological control agent of the mahogany shoot borer.

Awards and Honors: Kozstarab Award for Systematics, Dept. of Entomology (2007); 2nd place Award in College and Life Sciences Category.  Virginia Tech Graduate Student Assembly Research Symposium (2007)

David Mausel (Ph.D. 2007) – Regional Entomologist, S&P Forestry, Forest Health and Economics, Eastern Region – USDA Forest Service, Milwaukee, WI, (e-mail: david.mausel@usda.gov)

Dissertation Title:  Release and monitoring of Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) for biological control of the hemlock woolly adelgid in the eastern US

Awards and Honors: James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Entomology (2007); Ph.D. Research Award, Virginia Tech Chapter – Sigma Xi (2008); Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, Dept. of Entomology (2018)

Brian Eisenback (Ph.D. 2008) - Associate Professor of Biology, Chair of the Area of Scientific Learning, Milligan University, TN 37682  (e-mail: BMEisenback@milligan.edu)

Dissertation Title:  Prey-mediated effects of imidacloprid on Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and Sasajiscymnus tsugae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), two predators of hemlock woolly adelgid

Awards and Honors: 1st place award for Poster Presentation at the Annual Meeting of Eastern Branch - Entomological Society of America (2006); James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Entomology (2008); Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, Dept. of Entomology (2016)

Heather Story (M.S. 2010) - Technician, Baton Rouge Pest Control, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA. (e-mail: derodontidae22@gmail.com)

Thesis Title:  Assessing performance and compatibility of three Laricobius species as predators of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae

Nathan Herrick (Ph.D. 2011) – Research  Associate, Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (e-mail: nherrick@ksu.edu ) 

Dissertation Title: Quarantine evaluation of Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold) (Coleopetra: Curculionidae), a potential biological control agent of tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima in Virginia, USA

Awards and Honors: Cunningham University Fellowship (2006-08)

Gina Davis (Ph.D. 2011) - Coeur d'Alene Office Group Leader, Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service, Coeur d'Alene, ID (e-mail: gina.davis@usda.gov)

Dissertation Title:  Post-release evaluation of Laricobius nigrinus for the biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid in the eastern United States

Awards and Honors: President's Prize for 1st place oral presentation in the Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity Section at Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (2009); Watkins Family Scholarship (2010); Co-recipient of Kozstarab Award for Systematics, Dept. of Entomology (2011)

Amy Kelley (Snyder) (M.S. 2011) - Project Manager for the Plant-Microbe Interfaces Scientific Focus Area for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory; a member of the Biosciences Division and the Molecular and Cellular Imaging Group., City of Oak Ridge, TN (e-mail: amys186@gmail.com)

Thesis Title:  Assessing Eucryptorrhynchus brandti as a potential carrier for Verticillium albo-atrum from infected Ailanthus altissima

Awards and Honors: 2nd Place in M.S. poster competition at 5th North American Forest Insect Work Conference (2011)

Ligia Cota Vieira (Ph.D. 2013) - Research Scientist, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, NYU Abu Dhabi, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology.(e-mail: lcotavieira@gmail.com)

Dissertation Title:  Pre-release evaluation of Laricobius osakensis Montgomery and Shiyake (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), a potential biological control agent for the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), in the eastern United States

Awards and Honors: Ph.D. Research Award, VT Chapter of Sigma Xi (2012); James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Entomology, VT (2013); Outstanding Doctoral Student, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, VT (2013); Roger F. Anderson Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Southern Forest Entomology - Sponsored by the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference (2013)

Melissa Fischer (Ph.D. 2013) - Forest Entomologist, USDA Forest Service, FHP Region 6, Westside Service Center, Mount Hood N.F. (e-mail: Melissa.Fischer@usda.gov)

Dissertation Title:  Evaluation of hybridization among three Laricobius species, predators of hemlock woolly adelgid, (Adelgidae)

Awards and Honors: NSF Scholarship in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) (2010-2013); David R. Spence Tuition Scholarship (2011-2012); GSA Graduate Research Development Program Grant (2012); Glady and Clarence Hill Travel Scholarship (2013)

Anne Jones (M.S. 2013) - Post-doctoral Researcher, Dept of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech (e-mail: annej@vt.edu)

Thesis Title:   Fitness and physiology of the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, in relation to the health of the eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis

Awards and Honors: Hill Travel Scholarship (2013); James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding M.S. Student, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech 2013); Asa Fitch Award for Outstanding M.S. student for the Entomological Society of America – Eastern Branch (2014)

Katlin Dewitt (Mooneyham) (M.S. 2015) - Forest Health Specialist, VA Dept. of Forestry, Charlottesville, VA (e-mail: Katlin.mooneyham@dof.virginia.gov)

Thesis Title:  Release-recovery in the field and reproductive success in the lab of Laricobius osakensis (Coleopera: Derodontidae) a biological control agent for the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae

Awards and Honors: Cyrus H. McCormick Graduate Scholarship; James Grayson Scholarship 1^st place award for outstanding M.S. student in the Department of Entomology (2016).

Kenton Sumpter (M.S. 2016) – Entomologist II, MD Dept of Agriculture (e-mail: kenton.sumpter@maryland.gov) 

Thesis Title:  Evaluating a potential area-wide IPM Strategy for managing hemlock woolly adelgid in the eastern United States

Awards and Honors: President’s Prize (1^st place) for Graduate Student 10-minute paper competition, 2016 Joint Meeting of the International Congress of Entomology and Entomological Society of America. 

Ariel Heminger (M.S. 2017) – Biological Scientist, USDA, APHIS, Rockville, MD. (e-mail: arielh@vt.edu)

Thesis Title:  Establishment of Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) in Virginia and assessment of its impact on hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae), throughout the eastern U.S.

Awards and Honors: Alwood Extension Award at the M.S. Level (2017)

Molly Darr (Ph.D. 2017) - Assistant Professor and Extension Forester, Washington State University NWREC (email: molly.darr@wsu.edu)

Dissertation Title:  Biological studies and evaluation of Scymnus coniferarum Crotch, a predator of hemlock woolly adelgid from western North America

Awards and Honors:  The Gladys and Clarence Hill Travel Scholarship (2014); GSA Travel Fund (2014); GSA Graduate Research Development Program Grant (2014 and 2015); Co-recipient of the Entomology Department’s Alwood Extension Award (2016); 1^st Place Oral Presentation Award -  7^th Ann. Forest Res. and Environ. Conserv. Graduate Res. Symp. @Virginia Tech (2015); President’s Prize (1^st place) for Graduate Student 10-minute paper competition for the Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting (2015); James Grayson Scholarship Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student (3^rd place), Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech  (2017); Roger F. Anderson Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Southern Forest Entomology - Sponsored by the Southern Forest Insect Work Conference (2017)

Holly Wantuch (Ph.D. 2017) - Entomologist/Eugene Field Office Coordinator Oregon Dept of Agriculture, Plant Protection & Conservation Programs (email: hawantuch@oda.state.or.us) 

Dissertation Title:   The natural history and predator complex of the native pine bark adelgid (Pineus strobi) Hartig in southwestern Virginia

Awards and Honors:  William T. Steel, Jr. Tuition Scholarship, Fall, 2016

Ashley Toland (M.S. 2018) - Eradication Entomologist, Integrated Pest Prevention and Management Program, Oregon Department of Agriculture. (e-mail: atoland@oda.state.or.us) 

Thesis Title: Post-release establishment and supercooling point assessment of Laricobius osakensis, a predator of the hemlock woolly adelgid

Awards and Honors:  Watkins Family Tuition Scholarship 2017

Carrie Jubb (M.S. 2019) – Quarantine Officer, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech (email: cjubb@vt.edu). 

Thesis Title:  Evaluation of the establishment of predatory beetle, Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) in Virginia, and assessment of its impact on hemlock woolly adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) at release sites in the eastern U.S.

Awards and Honors:  2^nd place student presentation at 2019 Southern Forest Insect Work Conference.

Max Ragozzino (Ph.D. 2020) – Biocontrol Entomologist, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem Office, Salem, OR.  (e-mail: Mragozzino@oda.state.or.us)

Dissertation Title:  Influences of climate, competition, and novel hosts on parasitoids of emerald ash borer, and their establishment in Virginia and North Carolina

Awards and Honors:  Interfaces of Global Change - IGEP Fellow (2015-2020); CALS Dean Scholar Award (2015); Robert Bruce Massey Scholarship and the Celeste W. Reynolds Graduate Tuition Scholarships (2016-2017);  1^st place honors (3-way tie) at the First Annual Nutshell Games hosted by Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science; 1^st Place President’s Prize for Section P-IE, Forests at the  Entomological Society of America National Meeting (2019).

Rachel Brooks (Ph.D. in SPES 2020) – Forest Health Scientist, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Forest Health and Resiliency Division, Olympia, WA.  (e-mail: Rachel.Brooks@dnr.wa.gov) 

Dissertation Title:  Biological control of the invasive Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven) in Virginia using naturally occurring Verticillium wilt fungi

Awards and Honors:  Interfaces of Global Change - IGEP Fellow (2016-2020); CALS Dean Scholar Award (2016); William T. Steele Jr., Gene and Ina Mae James, and Horace E. & Elizabeth Alphin Tuition Scholarships (2017-2018); 2nd place in the School of Plant & Environmental Sciences Graduate Research Symposium. (2018); 1^st place in the Graduate Student Paper Competition at the Potomac Division of the American Phytopathological Society of America (2019).

Brandon Turner (Online MS -OMALS 2020). VDACS-STS Survey Coordinator.  VA. Dept. of Ag. & Consumer Services. Christiansburg, VA. (email: brandon.turner@vdacs.virginia.gov)

Thesis Title:  Forest stand characteristics of Jefferson National Forest that observed gypsy moth defoliation from 2015-2019 in southwestern Virginia

Jeremiah Foley IV (Ph.D. 2021).  - Assistant Scientist II, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven CT. (email: Jeremiah.Foley@ct.gov)

Dissertation Title: Laboratory rearing, establishment, subterranean survivorship, and thermal requirements of Laricobius spp. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae), biological control agents released for Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae)

Awards and Honors:  Loke and Vicki Kok Graduate Fellowship; Second place (2017); PhD student competition, ESA National Meetings Section: Medical, Urban, & Vet. Ento. (MUVE) (2017); 2nd place, PhD student competition, ESA National Meetings Section: Biocontrol, Predators (2018); William T. Steele, Jr. Graduate Scholarship (2020); David R. Spence Scholarship (2020); Robert O’Neil Outstanding Ph.D. Student in Biological Control, ISBC Nearctic Division (2020); James M. Grayson Outstanding Ph.D. Student Runner-up, Virginia Tech Department of Entomology (2021); Roger F. Anderson Outstanding Student in Forest Entomology, SFIWC (2021).

Ashleigh Hillen (M.S. 2023).  - MFA Student, Radford University. Radford, VA.  (email: ashleigh.hillen@gmail.com)

Thesis Title: Studies on the subterranean activity of Laricobius spp. (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) using 3D X-ray analysis and three imidacloprid soil application techniques

Awards and Honors:   J.M. Grayson Scholarship Award MS. Level (2021); Graduate Research and Development Award (2022), Graduate and Professional Student Travel Award (2022), Ent Soc of America Professional Advance Career Training (2021-22)

Carrie Preston (Ph.D.  2023). -  Post-doctoral Research Associate, Oregon IPM Center @ Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.  (email: prestoca@oregonstate.edu)

Dissertation Title:  Impact of predation by Laricobius nigrinus (Coleoptera: Derodontidae) and Leucotaraxis spp. (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae) on Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) and Tsuga canadensis (Pinales: Pinaceae) tree health

Awards and Honors:   PhD Student Poster Competition - 2^nd place at the 2021 North American Forest Insect Work Conference, Reginald and Phyllis Nelson and David J. Spence Tuition Scholarships (2022), Co-recipient of James M. Grayson Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Virginia Tech Department of Entomology (2023); Roger F. Anderson Outstanding Student in Forest Entomology, SFIWC (2023).

A full list of Dr. Salom's publications can be found here.

Additional link to Scopus provides access to full pdf versions of most pubs found here.  This does require a sign in to Elsevier. 

Awards

• 2023 Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech
• 2022 Co-recipient of Team Award (Invasive Species Working Group) - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech
• 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
• 2009 A. D. Hopkins Award (presented to an individual with an outstanding record of service to Southern Forest Entomology) - Southern Forest Insect Work Conference
• 2008 Award for Excellence in Applied Research - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech
• 2008 Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management - Eastern Branch, Entomological Society of America
• 2004 Research Award of Merit – Virginia Tech Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta