Gregg Henderson, the Paul K. Adams Professor of Urban Entomology at the LSU AgCenter, was named the recipient of the 2012 Recognition Award in Urban Entomology from the Entomological Foundation.

The award, which is sponsored by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., recognizes and encourages outstanding Extension, research, and teaching contributions in urban entomology. It was presented on Nov. 12 at the the 60th annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in Knoxville, Tenn.

Henderson has conducted research on various urban pests of economic importance, such as ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, ticks and fleas. However, his main research focus is on termites, especially Formosan subterranean termites.

The award cited his involvement in developing baits, monitors and new insecticides, and in testing termiticides from industry. In addition, Henderson’s outreach projects include presentations, home inspections and insect identification, sometimes talking to homeowners regarding delusory parasitosis, a form of psychosis where people have a delusional belief that they are infested with parasites, or “bugs,” when none are present.

In addition to research and outreach, Henderson teaches graduate and undergraduate courses and participates in a three-week summer course for Louisiana pest control operators.

He has been invited to present at 33 professional meetings, several universities and more than 200 trade and professional meetings. He also has published more than 100 refereed papers, written four book chapters and written more than 75 other articles spanning a diversity of research from the very basic to the very applied.

Henderson’s work has resulted in 20 patents, and he has been awarded over $6.5 million in grants. In addition, he has garnered several professional awards and recognitions. One of his favorite awards was winning the first Editor’s Choice Award for outstanding paper of the year in American Entomologist in 2008.

Henderson joined the faculty of the LSU AgCenter in 1990 and was named the Paul K. Adams Professor of Urban Entomology in 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Rutgers University, his master’s degree in entomology from Washington State University and his doctorate in entomology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.