Dipterous Insect Attracting Device And Trap Using Said Device

Abstract

The present invention provides a dipterous insect attracting device comprising a container, a wick coupleable to the container configured to diffuse an attractant composition arranged in the container by capillarity, and a cap coupled to the container closing same, the cap being configured to collapse or swell; wherein the attracting device is configured to be arranged in an activated position suitable for diffusing the attractant composition through the wick and to be arranged in a deactivated position in which the attractant composition is not diffused through the wick, wherein the cap is configured to collapse or swell as the attractant composition is diffused through the wick. A trap for capturing dipterous insects using the dipterous insect attracting device is also provided. Furthermore, an attractant composition indicated for attracting dipterous insects is provided.

Claims

1. A dipterous insect attracting device, comprising: a container provided with an upper opening and a lower opening arranged in a base of the container, the container being configured to contain an attractant composition, with the container being impermeable to the attractant; a wick coupleable to the base in fluid communication with the lower opening, configured to diffuse the attractant composition by capillarity; a cover coupleable to the base, the cover being configured to secure the wick in the base, such that the attractant composition can only be diffused through the wick, with the cover being impermeable to the attractant composition; and a cap coupled in a leak-tight manner to the upper opening of the container closing same, with the cap being impermeable to the attractant composition, the cap being configured to collapse or swell; wherein the attracting device is configured, for when the container contains the attractant composition, to be arranged in an activated position suitable for diffusing the attractant composition through the wick, and to be arranged in a deactivated position in which the attractant composition is not diffused through the wick, wherein the cap is configured to collapse or swell as the attractant composition is diffused through the wick.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container is rigid and wherein the impermeable material of the container is selected from a list consisting of a polymer material impermeable to the attractant composition, wherein the material is selected from the list consisting of polyethylene, high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene, copolymers of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(styrene-acrylonitrile), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and mixtures thereof.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is invertible such that, in the deactivated position, the attractant composition is not in contact with the wick, wherein the attractant composition is deposited or moved away from the lower opening, and in the activated position, the device is tipped such that the attractant composition comes into contact with the wick, such that the attractant composition is oriented or deposited towards the base, leaving the container through the lower opening, being diffused through the wick.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cap is coupled to the upper opening by heat sealing, by means of snap-fitting, or by means of screwing.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cap is flexible and of the cap is selected from a list consisting of a polymer material impermeable to the attractant composition, wherein the material is selected from the list consisting of polyethylene, high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene, copolymers of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(styrene-acrylonitrile), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and mixtures thereof.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wick is flexible and is coupled through the cover to the base such that respective free ends thereof remain, wherein the attractant composition is diffused without dripping along the free ends of the wick.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the wick is manufactured with a material comprising yarns which in turn comprise fibers of a material selected from the list consisting of cotton, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cover consists of a flexible sheet arranged in the base sealing in a leak-tight manner the opening and a portion of the wick, such that the attractant composition can only flow through the wick.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a layer comprising a contact insecticide, wherein the layer is arranged at least partially on an outer surface of the container.

10. A trap for dipterous insects, characterized in that it comprises the dipterous insect attracting device according to claim 1.

11. The trap for dipterous insects according to claim 10, comprising: a trapping chamber confined by a cover coupleable to the chamber, wherein the trapping chamber comprises: at least one inlet suitable for allowing the entry of dipterous insects, and at least one contact insecticide, wherein an inner wall of the trapping chamber is at least partially coated with the contact insecticide.

12. The trap according to claim 11, wherein the inlet is provided with a blocking part configured to block the exit of the dipterous insects out of the trapping chamber and/or to prevent the entry of larger non-target dipterous insects that are not of the target size, into the trapping chamber.

13. The trap according to claim 1, wherein the trapping chamber comprises a plurality of inlets arranged on walls of the trapping chamber and/or wherein the inlet is circular, such that the blocking part is a diametrically arranged rib.

14. Use of the device according to claim 9 for attracting and/or killing dipterous insects, including insects from the genus Drosophila, and from the species Drosophila suzukii.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be considered by way of illustration and not limitation, wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of the dipterous insect attracting device of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective view of the dipterous insect attracting device of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a view of the trap of the invention in which the attracting device is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] The first aspect of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, relates to a dipterous insect attracting device 1, comprising: [0041] a container 2 having an upper opening 21, at least one lower opening 22 arranged in a base 20 of the container 2, wherein the lower opening 22 is sealed by a cover 4 in turn coupleable to the container 2, wherein the container 2 is configured to contain an attractant composition 5, with the container 2 and the cover 4 being impermeable to the attractant composition 5; [0042] a wick 6 coupleable to the lower opening 22, configured to diffuse the attractant composition 5 by capillarity, wherein the cover 4 is configured to secure the wick 6 in the base 20, such that the attractant composition 5 can only be diffused through the wick 6; and [0043] a cap 3 coupled in a leak-tight manner to the upper opening 21 of the container 2 closing the upper opening 21, with the cap 3 being impermeable to the attractant composition 5, the cap 5 being configured to collapse or swell; [0044] wherein the attracting device 1 is configured, for when the container 2 contains the attractant composition 5, to be arranged in an activated position suitable for diffusing the attractant composition 5 through the wick 6, and to be arranged in a deactivated position in which the attractant composition 5 is not diffused through the wick 6, wherein the cap 3 is configured to collapse or swell in order to maintain a controlled dispensing of the attractant composition 5 through the wick 6 over time.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cap 3 is configured to swell and to thereby relieve the pressure inside the device 1 due to the expansion of the attractant composition 5 when at least a part of the composition evaporates. Otherwise, that is, when the pressure inside the device 1 is equal to or less than the atmospheric pressure, the cap 3 is configured to contract or collapse as the attractant composition 5 is dispensed in a controlled manner through the wick 6.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the cap 3 is coupleable to the container 2 through a lip arranged adjacent to the upper opening 21, preferably by a heat welding/sealing process.

[0047] As indicated above, the device comprises a wick 6 coupleable to the base 20 in connection with the lower opening 22, wherein the arrangement of the wick in the base 20 is carried out such that a portion of the wick 6 is exposed to the lower opening 22, so the attractant composition comes into contact with the wick 6 through the lower opening 22.

[0048] According to the foregoing, the cover 4 is coupled to the base 20 such that it seals the lower opening 22, fixing at least one segment of the wick 6 including the portion thereof which is in connection with the lower opening 22, with two free ends 61, 62 of the wick 6 remaining exposed, as seen in FIG. 1 in the preferred embodiment, i.e., without being fixed through the cover 4.

[0049] The technique used for fixing the cover 4 in the base 20 securing or fixing the segment of the wick 6 must be in such a way that does not prevent diffusion, i.e., the wick 6 should not be impermeable, so as to ensure the diffusion of the attractant composition 5 through the wick 6, i.e., there is no leakage through the lower opening 22 or through any other site, when the device 1 is in the activated position, when the composition diffuses by capillarity from the container to the free end of the wick where it evaporates completely.

[0050] In the preferred embodiment, the cover 4 consists of a polyethylene sheet which seals the wick 6 against the base 20, sealing the lower opening 22 according to the described teachings.

[0051] In another preferred embodiment of the device 1, the container 2 is a rigid container made of at least one impermeable polymer material selected from the list consisting of polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene, copolymers of polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), copolymers of polyethylene, copolymers of polypropylene, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and mixtures thereof. More preferably, it is selected from the list consisting of polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0052] The device 1 is configured such that, in the deactivated position, the container 2 is oriented towards the cap 3, so the attractant composition 5 is oriented or deposited towards the cap 3, whereas in the activated position, the container 2 is rotated, such that the attractant composition 5 is deposited or moved towards the base 20, causing the wick 6 to come into contact with the attractant composition 5.

[0053] As mentioned in the preceding lines, the wick 6 is suitable for releasing the attractant composition 5 by capillarity, preferably wherein the wick 6 is manufactured with a material provided with yarns comprising fibers of a material selected from the list consisting of cotton, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester.

[0054] In another preferred embodiment, the cover 4 comprises a material made of a sheet comprising an aluminum material and/or a sheet comprising a polymer material impermeable to the attractant composition 5, wherein in the case of the polymer material, it is selected from the list consisting of polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene, copolymers of polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), copolymers of polypropylene, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and mixtures thereof.

[0055] With respect to the materials of the cap 3, they are impermeable to the attractant composition and comprise a polymer material which is selected from the list consisting of polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene, copolymers of polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), copolymers of polypropylene, polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and mixtures thereof.

[0056] Alternatively, the cap 3 and/or the cover 4 are coupleable in their respective positions to the container 2, preferably by heat sealing, and/or by means of snap fitting, and/or by means of screwing. When the cap 3 and/or the cover 4 are coupleable in their respective positions to the container 2 by means of screwing, the cover 4 can be a stopper.

[0057] As mentioned above, when there is a negative pressure inside the device, i.e., vacuum formation, the cap 3 is capable of collapsing in order to withstand the vacuum pressure, balancing the internal pressure with the external pressure, maintaining the controlled dispensing of the attractant composition 5 through the wick 6.

[0058] On the other hand, when the pressure inside the device 1 increases due to, for example, an increase in room temperature which leads to the evaporation of at least a part of the attractant composition 5, the cap 3 expands or swells, whereby relieving the increase in pressure, maintaining the proper dispensing of the attractant composition 5. In another preferred embodiment of the device 1 of the first aspect, the container 2 has a dimension suitable for containing a volume of the attractant composition 5 of between 45 ml and 500 ml. More preferably, the container 2 has a volume of between 50 ml and 550 ml.

[0059] In another preferred embodiment, the device 1 is configured such that the lower part has a frustoconical shape to improve the release of the attractant 5 and to ensure that this release always takes place, although the device can be located slightly titled when it is in use in the field.

[0060] Therefore, as a result of the impermeability of the container 2, the cap 3, and the cover 4, as well as the configuration of the wick 6 and the tipping/activation system, the device 1 has the advantage of allowing the release or diffusion of the attractant composition 5 through the wick 6, allowing a controlled and/or sustained release over time that is, at the same time, effective and without wasting any attractant composition 5, where the controlled and sustained release can be maintained despite atmospheric changes.

[0061] In the deactivated position, the container 2 is arranged such that the attractant composition 5 is moved towards or leans against the cap 3, such that the portion of the wick 6 in connection with the lower opening 22 does not come into contact with the attractant composition 5. When the device 1 is tipped, i.e., the container 2 is rotated on itself sufficiently, the attractant composition 5 is oriented towards the base 20 of the container, coming into contact with the wick 6 for its diffusion, with the device 1 thereby being in the activated position. Performing the reverse process will be enough to transition to the deactivated position.

[0062] The wick 6 can be flexible or rigid and have a transverse area in any shape. In a preferred embodiment, the wick 6 is flexible and made of a material comprising yarns comprising fibers of a material selected from the list consisting of cotton, polyamide, and polyester, or any material suitable for diffusing the attractant composition 5 by capillarity according to the composition thereof as will be described in detail below. The wick 6 has the advantage of not causing the dripping of the attractant composition 5 but rather the sustained and controlled diffusion thereof over time.

[0063] In one embodiment, the device works very well for attracting Drosophila type dipterous insects, particularly Drosophila suzukii, with the attractant composition 5 being configured as an attractant solution 5 preferably formulated for attracting the Drosophila suzukii. In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the device 1 comprises an alcoholic composition arranged in the container 2.

[0064] Based on the foregoing, the device 1, particularly the container 2, is suitable for housing and releasing the attractant composition 5 the composition of which is based on alcohol and comprises attractant substances for attracting dipterous insects (Diptera), preferably for attracting Drosophila, and more preferably for attracting Drosophila suzukii (Matsamura).

[0065] In this exemplary embodiment, the term attractant composition 5 or attractant substance based on alcohol, also referred to as alcoholic attractant compositions, is understood to mean compositions essentially comprising an alcohol, at least one alcohol selected from the list comprising straight chain, branched, or cyclic C1-C10, preferably C1-C5, alcohols. Preferably, the alcoholic attractant composition 5 comprises an alcohol in a percentage by weight, % w/w, from 50-98%, preferably from 60-95%.

[0066] Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the device 1 comprises an attractant composition 5 contained in the container 2. More preferably, the attractant composition 5 comprise at least: [0067] an alcohol, preferably ethanol, and [0068] acetic acid

[0069] More preferably, in this exemplary embodiment of the device 1, the attractant composition 5 comprises at least: [0070] ethanol [0071] acetic acid and,

[0072] optionally: [0073] methionol and/or acetoin and/or putrescine, and/or ethyl acetate and/or diacetyl

[0074] wherein the concentration by weight of ethanol in the composition is in a % w/w range from 50-98%, preferably from 60-95%.

[0075] Alternatively, the outer surface of the container 2 can be completely or partially coated with a contact insecticide. As a result, when in use, the device 1 of the invention can be arranged in a working position by suitable means, for example, hanging from or close to a tree, such that dipterous insects, in the example Drosophila suzukii, are attracted by the attractant composition 5, and upon coming into contact with the outer surface of the container, the insects are covered in the insecticide and die. Therefore, the device of the first aspect would be suitable for attracting and killing dipterous insects, wherein in the exemplary embodiment, these dipterous insects are from the genus Drosophila, preferably from the species Drosophila suzukii.

[0076] The second aspect of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 3, relates to a trap 10 suitable for trapping and killing dipterous insects, wherein the trap 10 comprises: [0077] a trapping chamber 11 confined by a cover 12 that is coupleable to and removable from the chamber 11, wherein the trapping chamber 11 comprises: [0078] at least one inlet 13 configured for the entry of dipterous insects, and [0079] at least one contact insecticide (not shown) [0080] wherein an inner wall (not shown) of the trapping chamber 11 is at least partially coated with the contact insecticide; and [0081] the device 1 of the first aspect.

[0082] Another significant advantage of the invention lies in its simplicity and cost. In particular, the proposed solution does not require additional supporting elements for the device 1 or for the contact insecticide, since the trap 10 itself acts as a support for both. This drastically reduces the cost of use and facilitates its implementation for mass trapping and elimination of dipterous insects. It should be mentioned that, according to the invention, the inner wall of the trapping chamber 11 does not have to be completely coated with contact insecticide in order to cause the death of the insects and to solve the technical problem in question.

[0083] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the device 1 is in the activated position, so the attractant solution 5 is dispensed through the wick 6 for its diffusion. Inverting the trap 10 or inverting the device 1 within the location thereof inside the trap will be enough to transition to a deactivated position.

[0084] In another preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the trapping chamber 11 can have a conical, frustoconical, or cylindrical shape with an essentially round base to improve and facilitate insect collection and elimination.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment of the trap 10 of the second aspect, the contact insecticide can also be deposited on the walls of the cover 12, therefore the inner wall (not shown) of the cover 12 can also be at least partially coated with the contact insecticide.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment of the trap 10 of the second aspect, the cover 12 can be a removable cover, such that the trap 10 can be reused several times or can be emptied when there is a large number of captures.

[0087] In another preferred embodiment, the cover 12 is configured to be coupled to the confinement chamber 11 by means of pressure through a blocking system (not shown). Preferably, the blocking system can be a snap-fit system (releasable connection) or a rotation system. Even more preferably, the blocking system is a releasable connection system, wherein the cover 12 is configured with protrusions (not shown) that fit into an edge of the confinement chamber 11 by means of pressure. Alternatively, when the blocking system is by rotation, the cover 12 comprises a groove and the edge of the confinement chamber comprises a tooth-like protrusion suitable for fitting into the groove of the cover 12 by means of rotation of the chamber 11 and/or the cover 12, preferably in anticlockwise direction.

[0088] To trap dipterous insects, the trapping chamber 11 comprises at least one inlet 13 configured to allow dipterous insects to go into the trapping chamber 11. Preferably, the trap 10 comprises a plurality of inlets 13 arranged in the walls forming the trapping chamber 11, thereby facilitating the entry of dipterous insects into the trapping chamber 11 and increasing the number of captures per trap 10.

[0089] In another preferred embodiment of the trap 10 of the second aspect, the inlet 13 is provided with a blocking part 14 configured to prevent the exit of dipterous insects out of the trapping chamber 11 once they have gone into the trapping chamber 11 and/or to prevent the entry of larger non-target insects other than those of target dipterous insects.

[0090] In another preferred embodiment of the trap 10 of the second aspect, the inlet 13 has a circular shape such that the blocking part 14 takes the form of a rib which goes through the inlet 13 diametrically in a circular form; wherein optionally the rib is oriented vertically.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the inlet 13 is formed in the walls of the trapping chamber 11 from a circular-shaped perforation such that the blocking part 14 takes the form of a rib which goes through the inlet 13 diametrically in the form of a circular perforation; wherein optionally the rib is oriented vertically.

[0092] In an even more embodiment, the inlet 13 is formed as a tubular body which is open at both ends and communicates the outside with the inside of the trapping chamber 11, wherein the body tubular projects from the walls of the trapping chamber 11. When the tubular body has a circular shape, the blocking part 14 takes the form of a rib which goes through the tubular body diametrically, wherein the rib is optionally oriented in a vertical manner in the tubular body.

[0093] Alternatively, the tubular body projects towards the outside of the trapping chamber 11 or towards the inside of the trapping chamber 11 or with portions oriented both towards the outside and towards the inside of the trapping chamber 11. When multiple inlets 13 according to this embodiment are provided, the projection of each of the tubular bodies from the walls of the trapping chamber will be according to any of the projections described above.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the trapping chamber 11 is opaque and/or the cover 12 is translucent or opaque. The trap 10 can be manufactured from polymer materials suitable for the preferred embodiment.

[0095] As mentioned, in an exemplary embodiment, the attractant composition 5 of the device 1 is particularly indicated for attracting Drosophila type dipterous insects, particularly Drosophila suzukii. Such exemplary embodiment can be implemented with the trap 10 described up until now for the mass attraction and capture of such dipterous insects. In that sense, contact insecticide is also formulated specifically to poison Drosophila suzukii.

[0096] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the attractant composition is a water-based solution which is likewise applicable to the device 1 and/or the trap 10, according to the described teachings mutatis mutandis.

[0097] A third aspect of the invention relates by way of example to an attractant composition 5 for Drosophila, preferably for Drosophila suzukii, i.e., a composition particularly conceived for attracting Drosophila suzukii, specifically an alcoholic attractant composition, essentially an alcohol, at least one alcohol selected from the list comprising straight chain, branched, or cyclic C1-C10, preferably C1-C5, alcohols. Preferably, the alcoholic attractant composition 5 comprises an alcohol in a percentage by weight, % w/w, from 50-98%, preferably from 60-95%.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, the attractant composition 5 of the third aspect, preferably suitable for attracting Drosophila suzukii, comprises at least: [0099] an alcohol, preferably ethanol [0100] acetic acid, [0101] optionally methionol, [0102] optionally acetoin and/or putrescine, and [0103] optionally ethyl acetate and/or diacetyl

[0104] In a more preferred embodiment, the attractant composition 5 of the third aspect comprises at least: [0105] ethanol [0106] acetic acid [0107] acetoin [0108] ethyl acetate [0109] optionally putrescine [0110] optionally diacetyl. and [0111] optionally methionol [0112] wherein the concentration by weight of ethanol in the composition is in a % w/w range from 50-98%, preferably from 60-95%.

[0113] In the more preferred embodiment, the attractant composition 5 of the third aspect consists of: [0114] ethanol [0115] acetic acid [0116] acetoin [0117] ethyl acetate [0118] wherein the concentration by weight of ethanol in the composition is in a % w/w range from 50-98%, preferably from 60-95%.

[0119] Unlike the state of the art in which the components are separated for reasons of incompatibility, these attractant solutions/compositions show a high effectiveness as attractants by providing a large number of captures.

[0120] The fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of the device of the first aspect for attracting and/or killing dipterous insects, wherein in particular embodiments these dipterous insects are from the genus Drosophila, preferably from the species Drosophila suzukii.