Company Profile…Insect Science®: Semiochemical strategies for pest control

IPCadmin | February 18, 2026

For 25 years, Insect Science® has been at the forefront of South Africa’s semiochemical industry, delivering science-driven, Responsible Pest Management® solutions for commercial agriculture. Headquartered in Tzaneen and supported by a satellite office in Paarl, Insect Science specialises in helping farmers manage pests using nature’s own communication signals. This reduces growers’ reliance on conventional crop sprays and strengthens integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

Insect Science was built around a simple but ambitious idea: use insect behaviour to protect crops more intelligently. Today, that idea has grown into a full in-house ecosystem of research, product development, manufacturing, and farmer training that supplies growers across South Africa and beyond.

Borromean Rings illustrating how Research & Development, Manufacturing, and Technical Support work together to drive innovation at Insect Science. Image: Insect Science®

From field to finished product

Analytical chemistry in action: GC-EAD preparation using an insect antenna. Photo: Derius Erasmus

Insect Science’s strength lies not in a single breakthrough, but in the full scientific chain that lies behind every product. The process begins in the field, where the technical team works closely with farmers to identify economically important pests and understand the pressures growers face in real orchards and fields.

Back at headquarters, the research journey moves into advanced analytical chemistry. Using a GC-EAD instrument (where an insect antenna is connected to an electro-antennogram detector) Insect Science’s analytical chemist identifies the semiochemical compounds that insects naturally respond to. These chemical cues form the blueprint for new pheromones and attractants.

Insect Science’s synthesis laboratory.
Photos: Derius Erasmus

Once identified, our synthetic chemist reproduces these compounds for consistent use in lures, traps, and control technologies. Every new formulation undergoes multiple field trials across different regions, generating robust, real-world data before any product is submitted for regulatory approval. Only after registration does manufacturing move into full-scale production. This is all done in-house to ensure quality, traceability, and reliability.

This end-to-end capability is rare in the global semiochemical sector, and it ensures that farmers receive tools that are not only scientifically validated but also practical and effective under local conditions.

A leading range of monitoring and control solutions

Insect Science® is well known for its extensive range of lures – the backbone of its monitoring technologies – but its innovation extends beyond monitoring tools to include effective pest management solutions based on disruption or attraction methods.

X-Mate® Mating disruption

X-Mate® C.G.O. for citrus flower moth management applied in a lemon orchard. Photo: Insect Science®

A species-specific control method that disperses a high concentration of synthetic pheromone into the orchard, causing non-competitive mating disruption leading to disorientated male moths so they cannot locate females.

Last Call™ Attract-and-kill

This precision method uses a species-specific semiochemical attractant combined with a small amount of contact insecticide to lure the target insect and eliminate it upon contact.

These products are not applied directly to the edible crop, nor is it systemic in nature, leaving no residue on harvested fruit. They are rain-fast and, being species-specific, do not harm beneficial insects. This makes them easy to integrate into IPM programmes for sustainable pest control.

These technologies form a crucial part of Responsible Pest Management®, allowing farmers to reduce chemical use without compromising crop protection.

Serving diverse high-value crop sectors

Across citrus, avocado, table grapes, berries, macadamia nuts, stone fruit, tomatoes, roses, grains and more, Insect Science provides tailored semiochemical tools backed by technical guidance and field support.

Monitoring traps are optimised for specific pests, crops, and environments, including the McPhail Trap for fruit flies. Photo: Insect Science®

The Delta Trap® for Lepidoptera. Photo: Insect Science®

Originally known for its specialisation in moth pheromones, Insect Science has broadened its research horizon. Its recent identification of the attractant for the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei) marks a significant step into the complex world of sucking insects – a direction that will shape many of its future innovations.

Quality, responsibility, and industry leadership

Insect Science follows rigorous quality standards and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring consistency across research, production, and product support. The company is committed to continuous improvement, constantly refining its processes to enhance reliability, efficiency, and customer value. Insect Science is also an active member of the South African Bioproduct Organisation (SABO) and CropLife South Africa, contributing to national industry standards and promoting responsible use of biological and semiochemical products.

In 2025, Insect Science was named Koppert’s preferred semiochemical supplier globally, strengthening international collaboration and reinforcing its reputation as a trusted industry leader.

Collaboration as a catalyst for innovation

Insect Science’s strength lies in its collective expertise. Scientists, applied entomologists, chemists, product developers, and manufacturing teams work side-by-side – an integrated structure that speeds up innovation and ensures that technologies are grounded in both scientific accuracy and agricultural practicality.

This collaborative model extends beyond Insect Science itself. Insect Science actively seeks partnerships with organisations, distributors, and research groups that share its commitment to responsible agriculture.

As demand grows for residue-free, sustainable pest management solutions, Insect Science is expanding its reach. Insect Science already serves multiple African countries and is advancing registration and partnership projects in Brazil, Türkiye, Egypt, Spain, and Morocco.

With Responsible Pest Management® as its guiding vision, Insect Science aims to shape a future where growers can protect crops more effectively while preserving the ecological balance that agriculture depends on.

From foundational research to final application, Insect Science continues to prove that the smallest chemical signals can lead to some of the biggest advances in sustainable farming.