Abstract
This invention discloses an artificial habitat site for beneficial insects. The habitat is made by stacking grooved bricks on top of one another to create cavities or tunnels for insects to nest, shelter, or overwinter. The bricks are made from durable and reusable materials that are easy to maintain and sanitize.
Claims
1. A method of forming an artificial habitat for beneficial insects, said habitat consisting of stacked specially shaped ceramic bricks, said method comprising the steps of: providing a clay body; extruding, molding, casting, pressing, or milling said clay body into specially shaped bricks; and kiln firing said specially shaped bricks into ceramic bricks, wherein each brick includes a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, where the first side and second side each have a plurality of half-cylindrical recesses, the first side has a plurality of projections, and the second side has a plurality of recesses such that when two bricks are arranged together each half-cylindrical recess on the first side and a respective one of the half-cylinder recess on the second side form a full, cylindrical tunnel to provide a habitat for insects, and the plurality of projections on the first side each fit into a respective one of the plurality of recesses on the second side thereby preventing lateral movement of the bricks with respect to one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 is a detailed front perspective view showing an embodiment of a plurality of prismatic bricks in assembled position with furrows aligned to form artificial habitat sites.
(3) FIG. 2 is a front view showing one of the prismatic brick embodiments used in constructing the artificial habitat.
(4) FIG. 3 is showing the top of one of the prismatic brick embodiments used in constructing the artificial habitat.
(5) FIG. 4 is a detailed front perspective view showing one of the prismatic brick embodiments used in constructing the artificial habitat.
(6) FIG. 5 is showing the side of one of the prismatic brick embodiments used in constructing the artificial habitat.
(7) FIG. 6 is showing the top of an alternate embodiment of the prismatic brick with countersunk furrow opening.
(8) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the prismatic brick with downward angled furrows.
DRAWING—REFERENCE NUMERALS
(9) 10 brick 11 furrows, grooves 12 cavity, tunnel, hole, habitat site 13 front face 14 back face 15 top face 16 bottom face 17 countersunk furrow entrance at front face 18 angled furrows 19 projections 20 recessions
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(10) Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, the present invention provides an artificial habitat for beneficial insects. The artificial habitat in FIG. 1 is generally made up of a plurality of bricks stacked on top of one another, as shown in FIG. 1.
(11) When the bricks (10) are stacked together, as shown in FIG. 1, the furrows (11) on adjacent bricks align to form a cavity or tunnel (12) to be used as an artificial habitat site. Furrows (11) have an open end on the front face (13) extending toward the back face (14). While the furrows (11) can extend from the front face (13) to the back face (14), the preferred furrow embodiment terminates short of the back face (14) for better protection from the environment, pests, and predators, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 7. While there can be any number of furrows (11) in a variety of arrangements, FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 depict 4 furrows (11) on the top face of the bricks (15) and 4 furrows (11) on the bottom face of the brick (16). Different widths of furrows (11) can be used in the same bricks (10) as to form habitats desirable to a variety of beneficial insects. While the furrows (11) can be any desirable widths, the preferred widths range from 3/32″ to ⅜″ in diameter, to attract beneficial insects. While the furrow cross-sections (11) can be curved or polygonal, FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 show a curved embodiment. The furrow end at the front face can be countersunk (17), as shown in FIG. 6 widening the entrance to facilitate a landing space for insects. The furrows can be angled down toward the front face of the bricks (18) to facilitate drainage, as shown in FIG. 7.
(12) The bricks can take a variety of shapes, such as cylindrical or prismatic, as shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 7. While the dimensions of the bricks can vary, the preferred embodiment should be such that the length of the furrows (11) are 3″ to 6″ in length. The bricks (10) can have a plurality of projections (19) on the top face (15), and a plurality of corresponding recessions (20) on the bottom face (16). Such that when the bricks are stacked, as shown in FIG. 1, the projections (19) fit into the recessions (20) and prohibit lateral movement. There can be any number of corresponding projections (19) and recessions (20), FIG. 2 through FIG. 7 depict 6 projections (19) on the top face of the bricks (15) and 6 recessions (20) on the bottom face of the bricks (16). While the projections (19) and recessions (20) can be any corresponding, interlocking shapes, FIG. 2 through FIG. 7 depict a hemisphere shape.
(13) In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the bricks that stack together to form the artificial habitat are produced by extruding, molding, casting, pressing, or milling a clay body into the specially shaped bricks. Then kiln firing said bricks into ceramic.
(14) The bricks are then stacked on top of one another, as shown in FIG. 1, and placed outside in the desired beneficial insect habitat site. In each of these embodiments described above, accessibility is provided for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance.
