INSECT TRAP

Abstract

The invention applies to an insect trap with a planar or curved, light-colored outflow surface for generating a weak airflow emanating from the outflow surface, with a device for holding, trapping, and/or killing the attracted insects, wherein at least one dark contrast spot is formed on the outflow surface. According to the invention, at least one device for increasing the attraction effect of the insect trap is arranged on the light-colored outflow surface, which device has a dark, sharp, in particular straight edge and/or corner and/or a dark, planar surface arranged at least largely vertically on the outflow surface.

Claims

1. An insect trap (1, 10) for generating a weak airflow (4) emanating from the outflow surface (3), comprising: a device for holding, trapping, and/or killing the attracted insects with a planar or curved, light-colored outflow surface (3), wherein at least one dark contrast spot (7) is formed on the outflow surface (3), and at least one attraction device (11) for increasing an attraction effect of the insect trap that is arranged on the light-colored outflow surface (3), where the attraction device (11) has a dark, sharp, straight edge (16) and/or corner and/or a dark, planar surface arranged at least largely vertically on the outflow surface.

2. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 1 wherein at least one dark contrast spot (7) is a dark intake duct (6), and wherein the attraction device (11) is arranged to be adjacent to the intake duct (6) on the light-colored outflow surface (3).

3. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 2, wherein the attraction device (11) is formed by a dark surface, which is arranged largely perpendicular to the light-colored outflow surface (3) and which has an upper sharp, straight edge, which is arranged at least largely parallel to the light-colored outflow surface (3).

4. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 2, wherein the device (11) is cube-shaped, wherein at least one lateral face of the cuboid faces the intake duct (6) and has a dark outer surface.

5. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 1 wherein the at least one dark contrast spot (7) is a dark intake duct (15) and wherein the intake duct (15) has a polygonal cross section and forms the attraction device (11) for increasing the attraction effect of the insect trap.

6. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 5 wherein the intake duct (15) comprises a first and a second lateral face with the first lateral face having a height greater than the second lateral face wherein the lateral faces are located opposite each other.

7. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 6, wherein at least the inner sides of the first and second lateral faces are dark.

8. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 6 wherein the inner sides of the first and second lateral faces are each a different dark shade.

9. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 8 wherein the inner sides of the first lateral face is darker than the inner sides of the second lateral face.

10. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 7 wherein the inner sides of the first and second lateral faces are each a different dark shade.

11. The insect trap (1, 10) of claim 8 wherein the inner sides of the first lateral face is darker than the inner sides of the second lateral face.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0021] In the following passages, the attached figures further illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages. The size ratios of the individual elements in the figures do not necessarily reflect the real size ratios. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in relation to other elements to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a known insect trap according to the prior art.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of an insect trap according to the invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an insect trap according to the invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 compares the catch rate of an insect trap according to the known prior art of FIG. 1 with the catch rates of the insect traps according to the invention as shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The same or equivalent elements of the invention are designated by identical reference characters. Furthermore and for the sake of clarity, only the reference characters relevant for describing the respective figure are provided. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples of the embodiments of the apparatus or of the method according to the invention are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a known insect trap 1 according to the prior art. The insect trap 1 comprises an approximately hollow cylindrical collection container 2 for accommodating the attracted and captured insects. Arranged as a top cover on the collection container 2 is a planar or, as the case may be, a slightly curved, light-colored outflow surface 3. A weak, even, upwardly directed airflow 4 emanates therefrom. This extensive, weak, even airflow 4 is particularly luring for many insects, in particular for mosquitoes or the like. The airflow 4 at a flow velocity S4 is generated by at least one air blower 5, for example, which is arranged below the outflow surface 3. Furthermore, the effect of the airflow 4 can be intensified by warmth and/or by addition of further attractants, in particular of chemical attractants.

[0028] The outflow surface 3 can additionally be provided with a glue and/or an insecticide such that insects which land on the outflow surface 3 are immediately trapped and/or killed.

[0029] Moreover provided is an intake duct 6. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, this intake duct 6 is, in particular, formed as a dark contrast spot 7 on the outflow surface 3. The intake duct 6 is used, for example, for suctioning in ambient air 8 at a flow velocity S8. In this instance, the flow velocity S8 of the ambient air 8 intake is significantly higher than the flow velocity S4 of the airflow 4 emanating via the outflow surface 3. In particular, it can be provided that only one single air blower 5 is used for the intake of the ambient air 8 and for generating the emanating airflow 4.

[0030] For the purpose of better illustrating the three-dimensionality and, in particular, the form of the intake duct 6, the upper edge of the intake opening 9 is indicated by a dotted line. The illustration, however, gives no indication of the color design of the edge. Preferably, this edge is also dark and, in particular, forms no contrast with the remaining intake duct 6.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of an insect trap 10a according to the invention with a device 11 for increasing the attraction effect of the insect trap 10a. The insect trap 10a has an intake duct 6, which is formed as a first contrast spot 7-1 with a circular intake opening 9, as is known from the prior art. Furthermore, the insect trap 10a has a device 11 formed as a second contrast spot 7-2 for intensifying the attraction effect. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the device 11 is, for instance, cube-shaped and has dark, straight edges and an outer surface that is dark on all sides. In particular, the device 11 is formed by a black cuboid 12, which is arranged on the outflow surface 3, adjacent to the intake duct 6.

[0032] According to an alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated here, the cube-shaped device can have differently colored outer surfaces, where, in particular, the outer surface facing the intake duct 6 is designed to be dark and, in particular, delimited by dark sides with sharp, straight edges.

[0033] For the purpose of better illustrating the three-dimensionality and, in particular, the form of the intake duct 6 and of the device 11, the upper edge of the intake opening 9 and the sharp, straight edges of the device 11 are indicated by a dotted line. The illustration, however, gives no indication of the color design of the edges. Preferably, these edges are also dark and, in particular, form no contrast with the remaining intake duct 6 or, as the case may be, with the device 11.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an insect trap according to the invention 10b. This insect trap 10b has an intake duct 15 with a square cross section. In particular, the intake duct 15 forms both a contrast spot 7 and a device 11 for increasing the attraction effect. The dark, straight, upper edges 16 of the square intake opening 17, in particular, cause an increased attractiveness in comparison with a circular intake opening 9 according to the prior art from FIG. 1.

[0035] For the purpose of better illustrating the three-dimensionality and, in particular, the form of the intake duct 6, the edges of the intake duct 6 are indicated by a dotted line. The illustration, however, gives no indication of the color design of the edges. Preferably, these edges are also dark and, in particular, form no contrast with the remaining intake duct 6.

[0036] FIG. 4 compares the catch rate of an insect trap 1 according to the known prior art of FIG. 1 with the catch rates of the insect traps 10a, 10b according to the invention as shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0037] The experiments were conducted as field trials according to the following trial protocol: An insect trap of each type 1, 10a, 10b is erected in a trial area. In this context, two adjacent insect traps 1, 10a, 10b are spaced at least 30 meters apart. After a time period of 24 hours, the insect traps 1, 10a, 10b are emptied and the captured insects are counted. It is additionally possible to group and determine the various types of attracted insects.

[0038] The positions of the insect traps 1, 10a, 10b are subsequently rotated daily. That is to say that each insect trap is tested for a period of time of 24 hours in each position. When a complete rotation has been carried out, that is, when each insect trap 1, 10a, 10b has been in each trial position once, a new cycle of trials is started over again. This experimental set-up is also referred to as Latin square trial design. The number n relates to the number of trial days or, as the case may be, of repeat trials. Then, the average numbers of the captured insects are calculated. In this manner, position effects and time effects are averaged out. The different numbers for n result from the fact that it was not possible to evaluate all trial days for each type of trap, for instance, because the power supply for the corresponding trap had been temporarily interrupted, thus resulting in changed trial conditions such that it was not possible to compare the results.

[0039] The graphic illustration of FIG. 4 in each case shows the averaged number of captured mosquitoes in a period of time of 24 hours for each insect trap 1, 10b, 10a. While on average only approximately 75 mosquitoes were caught in a 24-hour period of time using an insect trap as known from the prior art according to FIG. 1, it was possible to capture 140 mosquitoes using an insect trap 10b according to FIG. 3 with an intake duct 15 with an angular cross section 17 in a period of time of almost 24 hours, and even approximately 150 mosquitoes using an insect trap 10a with an additional device 11 adjacent to the intake duct 6 according to FIG. 2 in a 24-hour period of time.

[0040] The trials thus show that the presence of a device for increasing the attraction effect of the insect trap, which has a dark, sharp, in particular straight edge and/or a dark, planar surface arranged at least largely vertically on the outflow surface, results in a significant increase of the attractiveness of the insect trap 10a, 10b. In this context it is largely irrelevant whether the intake duct itself is constructed such that it has a dark, sharp, in particular straight edge and/or a dark, planar surface arranged at least largely vertically on the outflow surface or whether the device for increasing the attraction effect of the insect trap is additionally arranged on the outflow surface.

[0041] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0042] 1 Insect trap [0043] 2 Collection container [0044] 3 Outflow surface [0045] 4 Airflow [0046] 5 Air blower [0047] 6 Intake duct [0048] 7 Contrast spot [0049] 8 Ambient air [0050] 9 Circular intake opening [0051] 10 Insect trap [0052] 11 Device for increasing the attraction effect [0053] 12 Cuboid [0054] 15 Intake duct [0055] 16 Dark, straight edge [0056] 17 Square intake opening [0057] S Flow velocity