Cage for containment and control of insects of the order Lepidoptera.

Description

5 Cage for containment and control of insects of the order Lepidoptera. Field of invention

[001] This utility model refers to a containment apparatus - cage - for insects of the order Lepidoptera, in order to keep these insects contained and out of the environment in which they may be found. Fundamentals of the invention

[002] The apparatus now claimed is a cage, manufactured with typical non-oxidizable steels and configured in such a way as to allow insects of the order Lepidoptera to enter said apparatus and remain there and deposit their eggs without being able to leave that confinement environment proposed by the apparatus.

[003] The said device can be made available in regions where these insects occur endemically, such as plantations or agricultural crops, thus acting as a natural controller of these insect populations, thereby favoring agricultural activities. State of the art

[004] On the control of Lepidoptera in agricultural production.

[005] Lepidoptera, popularly known as butterflies and moths, represent a group of insects with great diversity and a significant impact on agricultural production. Some species, classified as pests, cause considerable damage to crops, resulting in economic losses and affecting food security. Efficient control of these insects is crucial to ensure the productivity and sustainability of agriculture.

[006] Some known forms for these insects are: a. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) stands out as an effective strategy for controlling lepidopteran pests. This approach aims to prevent or reduce pest populations to tolerable levels, using a Petition 870250004379, dated 01 / 20 / 2025, page 5 / 19 / 5 combination of complementary methods, prioritizing ecological control measures and those with less environmental impact. b. Biological control uses natural enemies of lepidopteran pests for their management, such as predatory insects, parasitoids, and microbial pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, introduced into crops to suppress pest populations naturally and selectively. This technique offers several benefits, such as reducing the use of pesticides, increasing biodiversity, and promoting ecological balance. c. Crop rotation, which interrupts the life cycle of pests, hindering their proliferation. d. Planting traps that attract and capture adult moths, reducing the population in the crop. e. The elimination of host plants, which removes alternative food sources for the caterpillars. f. Soil management that reduces the availability of sites for pest pupae and hibernation. g. Chemical control, used judiciously and responsibly, following technical recommendations and aiming to minimize environmental impact. Insecticides specific to lepidopterans, with low toxicity to beneficial organisms and the environment, should be prioritized. The technical problem

[007] Although traps exist, as mentioned, for capturing and containing insects, objects of this utility model, these have the following disadvantages:

[008] Environmental impact: - Improper disposal of traps and captured insects can cause environmental impact, contaminating soil and water with pesticides or insect remains.

[009] Maintenance cost: - The installation, maintenance and monitoring of the traps may generate additional costs, especially on large properties. Petition 870250004379, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 6 / 19 / 5

[0010] Constant monitoring: - The efficient use of traps requires constant monitoring to empty and replenish them with attractants, which can be laborious and expensive, especially in large areas. Fundamentals of the invention

[0011] To overcome these limitations present in the state of the art, the cage that is the subject of this utility model privilege application was developed, which includes important features and innovations that address the problems presented by the state of the art.

[0012] In general terms, the present cage is entirely constructed of metallic materials, typically non-oxidizing steels, of the AISI304, AISI316 or similar class, having its structure welded and with a high degree of finish at the joints, and containing retention screens, also manufactured in non-oxidizing steel.

[0013] The high degree of finish of the metal structure favors the non-adhesion of insect eggs to this structure, which in general terms means that these eggs will not prosper into larvae and adult insects, since for this to happen, such eggs need to be fixed in a specific position.

[0014] The biological process, cited here and technically known as oviposition, is a crucial biological event for the perpetuation of the species. Moths deposit their eggs with extreme caution and precision, ensuring the best chances of survival for their future larvae. Female moths, guided by an innate instinct, seek specific locations that offer the best conditions for the development of the larvae. These locations vary according to the moth species, but generally include leaves of host plants, branches and twigs, and flowers and fruits.

[0015] The process described in the previous paragraph simply becomes unfeasible due to the use of the cage described in this privilege application.

[0016] Furthermore, because the cage is made of stainless steel, it can be placed in any environment, indoors or outdoors, where agricultural cultivation activity takes place, without the cage suffering any environmental damage; in other words, because the Petition 870250004379, dated 01 / 20 / 2025, page 7 / 19 / 5 Since this apparatus is constructed from non-oxidizable metallic material, this cage will have a long lifespan, not being discarded in a short period of time, and can be used in any environment or climate, with much more variation than any similar device manufactured from other materials already present in the state of the art, such as those manufactured from plastic materials, for example.

[0017] The monitoring apparatus has low maintenance costs and can be built or implemented in various dimensions to suit the characteristics of the crops for which the apparatus will be used. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] To facilitate a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are presented: Figure 01 presents an overview of the apparatus from a perspective of one possible way to implement it. Figure 02 shows a detailed view of the upper screen located on the apparatus. Figure 03 clearly shows the side, front, and front screens arranged in the apparatus. Figure 04 shows the apparatus from an internal view and highlights the casters used for transporting and moving the apparatus. Figure 05 shows the lower part of the apparatus, highlighting the lower screen of this cage. Figure 06 shows a detail of the side door for access to the cage. Figure 07 shows the metal structure of the apparatus. Detailed description of the invention

[0019] The apparatus is characterized by a structure (1) made of manufactured material, preferably non-oxidizable steel, equipped with a side access door (2) through which insects (3) enter and remain inside (4), attracted by baits Petition 870250004379, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 8 / 19 / 5 specific (5), which once inside said apparatus deposit their eggs (6) in its internal structures (4) which due to the characteristics of the apparatus’s construction materials and quality of finish do not allow these eggs (6) to adhere to this structure (1) and screens (7), thus detaching and depositing on the internal base of the apparatus (8) and thus not being able to evolve into larvae and consequently into adult insects, furthermore, said apparatus can be transported to its place of application by means of movement by having mobile casters (9) for such purpose.

[0020] Based on what is described in this document, and due to the non-evolution of the eggs of the insects shown here into their larval and adult stages, thus allowing for the effective population control of these insects in favor of agricultural activities related to this control process.

[0021] Based on the foregoing and as described, a request is made for the granting of a utility model patent for the present CAGE FOR CONTAINMENT AND CONTROL OF INSECTS OF THE ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. Petition 870250004379, dated 20 / 01 / 2025, page 9 / 19

Claims

CLAIMS 1. CAGE FOR CONTAINING AND CONTROLLING INSECTS OF THE ORDER LEPIDOPTERA, characterized by having a structure made of non-oxidizable steel, containing access and opening doors through which insects enter and remain, attracted by specific baits. Once inside the apparatus, they deposit their eggs in its internal structures, which, due to the characteristics of the apparatus's construction materials and quality of finish, do not allow these eggs to adhere to this structure. They detach and deposit themselves on the inner base of the apparatus, thus preventing their development into larvae and consequently into adult insects.

2. CAGE FOR CONTAINING AND CONTROLLING INSECTS OF THE ORDER LEPIDOPTERA, characterized as per claim 1 and by having movable casters for its transport to the application site. Petition 870250004379, dated 01 / 20 / 2025, page 10 / 19

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