Insect Factory -

About Us

Insect Factory is an independent research and extension company. Focused on integrated pest management, conservation, and biosecurity, we work with various pests and beneficial species in Botswana and abroad to “Manage Pests Better.”
We believe healthy ecosystems are fundamental to our future
Our mission is to improve the health of people and natural and agricultural ecosystems through excellent science, communication and innovative thinking. In partnership with our many collaborators, we strive to make our mission a reality.
Under the leadership of our Directors, Prof Graham Hall and Ms Lesego Phuthego, Insect Factory is an established research and extension provider. We deliver a range of services through discrete activities, training workshops, outreach and laboratory-based and farm-based activities.

Our expertise spans entomology, statistics, ecology, conservation, community engagement, species surveillance, scientific communication, and agricultural extension. Through innovative research and persistence, we use safe and biological methods to address insect pest chemical resistance and implement surveillance techniques, while converting our findings into real-world applications.

Meet the Team

Managing Director – Ms Lesego Phuthego

Managing Director of Insect Factory Proprietary Limited, bringing a wealth of expertise and experience to the role. Holding an MPhil in Food Science and a Bachelor’s degree in the same field, Lesego has a deep understanding of scientific principles and their application to sustainable practices.With over five years of experience in grants management and three years of project management, Lesego possesses a strong foundation in coordinating complex initiatives, securing funding, and ensuring project goals are met effectively.
This experience is invaluable in driving Insect Factory’s mission of promoting eco-friendly and sustainable pest management solutions. As Managing Director, Lesego is responsible for overseeing the company’s strategic direction, ensuring operational excellence, and fostering partnerships that align with the organization’s commitment to environmentally sustainable practices. Her leadership and expertise in food science and project management enable Insect Factory to innovate in the field of integrated pest management while delivering value to clients and contributing to global conservation efforts.

Principal Entomologist – Prof Graham Hall

A graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. He has been an entomologist in Australia and elsewhere working on numerous insect pests and beneficial insects including dung beetles, sheep blowflies, Screw-worm flies and Integrated Pest Management projects. Throughout these endeavours, Graham and his co-researchers have generated almost AU$ 60 million of external grants for research projects.
Graham is the Principal Entomologist of Insect Factory and undertakes consultancies and ethical research of insects and has consulted on insect management in several countries. In addition, he is the author or co-author of over 100 scientific manuscripts, including co-author of the first-ever book on the management and control of agricultural insect pests in Botswana.
He also undertakes consultancies with numerous vegetable, fruit and broadacre farmers in using integrated insect management techniques. He also curates the largest collection of Botswana insects assembled for research and conservation purposes.
Throughout his career, Graham has always adopted a collaborative approach, and with farmers strives to put the culture into agriculture’ through practical and sustainable practices – for example, enhancing biological processes and minimizing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.