Discovery to application
We connect analytical chemistry, synthesis, behaviour and field ecology so that promising signals can be developed into practical pest-management tools.
Precision chemical ecology
Smarter pest management through semiochemicals.
SEMIOCHEMICA turns chemical ecology into practical, field-ready solutions for monitoring, management and environmentally responsible pest control.
Discovery
Identification
Development
Field validation
Applied crop systems
Field-ready semiochemical solutions
From pest management and monitoring to pollination support, SEMIOCHEMICA develops practical science for real agricultural systems.
Science-ledEvidence before assumptions
Application-focusedDesigned for practical use
Environment-consciousTargeted pest management
CollaborativeResearch and industry partnerships
About SEMIOCHEMICA
Deep expertise in semiochemicals, built for practical pest management.
SEMIOCHEMICA is a science-led company focused on the discovery, development and application of semiochemicals for precise, environmentally responsible pest management.
Our scientific foundation combines decades of experience in insect chemical ecology, pheromone chemistry, organic synthesis, analytical chemistry, behavioural biology and field ecology. This allows us to follow a chemical signal from discovery and identification through synthesis, behavioural validation, lure optimisation and field application.
Semiochemicals are chemical signals that transmit information between organisms. In pest management, these highly specific signals can be used for monitoring, mass trapping, mating disruption and other forms of behavioural manipulation. Their selectivity creates opportunities to reduce or complement conventional insecticide use while improving the precision of pest-control programmes.
SEMIOCHEMICA is built around translation: taking rigorous chemical-ecology research and converting it into practical tools. We work across the full development pathway, from the chemistry of behaviourally active compounds to field-ready applications for growers, researchers, pest-management programmes and commercial partners.
Our team brings experience from research programmes in New Zealand, Sweden, Europe and North America, with work spanning economically important and invasive pest species, pheromone identification, stereochemically pure synthesis, host-derived volatiles, trapping systems and integrated pest management.
Precision by design
Species-specific chemical signals can enable highly targeted monitoring and control strategies with lower impact on non-target organisms and the wider environment.
Built on collaboration
Our work integrates chemistry and biology, bringing together the expertise needed to solve complex semiochemical problems and move efficiently from laboratory evidence to field performance.
Applications in practice
Real systems. Real crops. Real pest-management contexts.
Our work spans crop pollination, orchard systems, pest monitoring and semiochemical applications from laboratory insight to field deployment.
What we do
End-to-end semiochemical services.
From first evidence to field application, each stage is designed around the biological question and the practical objective.
01
Semiochemical discovery
Study chemical signals associated with pest behaviour and identify promising candidates for monitoring or management.
02
Chemical identification & GC/MS
Interpret analytical evidence and support compound identification using GC/MS, retention data and reference standards.
03
Lure & dispenser development
Optimise blends, ratios, dose, release systems and formulation concepts for robust field performance.
04
Behavioural bioassays
Design and interpret laboratory or controlled-environment experiments to test attraction, repellency and behavioural response.
05
Field trials
Develop trials that measure performance under real conditions and convert results into clear development decisions.
06
Scientific consulting
Specialist advice for research programmes, product development, evidence review, experimental design and R&D strategy.
Featured product
Bring more pollinators to where they are needed.
XtraBee is a pollination-enhancement platform developed to attract and retain pollinators within treated crop areas, supporting more consistent pollinator activity where natural visitation is limiting.
The formulation uses food-grade materials and honey-origin chemical cues and is designed for practical point-source or sprayable application. It is intended for crops facing pollinator competition, complex pollination systems, or inadequate fruit set.
Pollination enhancer
Food-grade materials
Point-source & sprayable
Field-oriented application
Our approach
One connected development pathway.
1Define
Clarify the pest problem, biological system and development goal.
2Discover
Find the chemical and behavioural evidence that matters.
3Optimise
Refine blend, dose, delivery and experimental design.
4Validate
Test performance under representative field conditions.
5Apply
Translate evidence into practical pest-management use.
Where we add value
Specialist expertise where chemistry meets behaviour.
Semiochemical projects succeed when chemistry, biology and field reality are considered together. SEMIOCHEMICA is built around that intersection.
01Chemical ecology
02Pheromones & semiochemicals
03Analytical interpretation
04Behavioural experimentation
05Integrated pest management
06Research-to-application strategy
Scientific leadership
Experience across chemistry, ecology and application.
SEMIOCHEMICA combines complementary expertise in organic chemistry, insect chemical ecology, pheromone discovery and the translation of semiochemical science into practical pest-management solutions.
Organic chemistry · Semiochemicals
Prof. Rikard Unelius
Professor of Organic Chemistry
Rikard Unelius is an organic chemist with more than four decades of experience in pheromone research, pheromone biochemistry and applied chemical ecology. His work began with pheromone synthesis and later expanded into pheromone-binding proteins, stereoselective synthesis and the preparation of behaviourally active semiochemicals.
He has led and contributed to international projects on pest monitoring and control, including bark beetles, vectors of Chagas disease, pine weevils, mealybugs and invasive insect pests. Much of his research has focused on developing efficient syntheses of biologically active semiochemicals for use in integrated pest management.
His career has included research and academic positions at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Linnaeus University and research institutes in New Zealand. He has published 105 peer-reviewed papers and patents.
Pheromone chemistry
Stereoselective synthesis
Applied chemical ecology
Chemical ecology · Pest management
Dr Ashraf M. El-Sayed
Chemical Ecologist · Adjunct Professor
Ashraf M. El-Sayed is a chemical ecologist specialising in insect semiochemicals, with a focus on the identification, synthesis and application of pheromones for environmentally sustainable pest management. He is Director of The Pherobase and serves as Adjunct Professor at Linnaeus University, Sweden.
His research integrates analytical chemistry, behavioural biology and field ecology to understand chemical communication in insects and develop practical tools for monitoring, mass trapping, mating disruption and other forms of behavioural manipulation.
He has held senior research positions in New Zealand, Europe and North America, including Principal Scientist at Plant & Food Research. His work has contributed to pheromone identification for numerous economically important pests and to commercial pest-management technologies designed to reduce reliance on conventional insecticides.
He is also the founder and developer of The Pherobase, a globally used knowledge resource supporting research and applications in chemical ecology, agriculture and pest management.
Pheromone identification
Behavioural ecology
Sustainable pest management
Work with us
Tell us what you are trying to solve.
Whether you are interested in XtraBee, a new pheromone programme, chemical identification, lure development, behavioural testing or field validation, send us a short description of the challenge.
Emailinfo@semiochemica.com
LocationChristchurch, New Zealand
