Bean caterpillar egg hatching and larva feeding device

Abstract

This invention provides a device for hatching and rearing soybean hawk moth eggs and larvae. Specifically, the device includes a hatching cage base, an egg distribution plate above the hatching cage base, larval climbing posts, a larval feeding platform, and a larval feeding chamber. This invention also provides a method for rearing soybean hawk moth larvae using this device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of agricultural breeding. Specifically, the present invention provides a device for hatching Clanis bilineata Walker eggs and raising larvae, and a corresponding usage method. Background Art

[0002] Clanis bilineata Walker belongs to the genus Clanis in the family Sphingidae of the order Lepidoptera in the class Insecta. It is a holometabolous insect, and its entire life cycle includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larva has five instars, and the mature larvae of the fifth instar overwinter in the soil. Because its larvae have rich nutritional value and unique flavor, they are called "Dou Dan" and are eaten in many regions of China. In particular, Guanyun County, Jiangsu Province, is famous for producing and eating Dou Dan. "Guanyun Dou Dan" has become a famous snack and local business card in this area and is an essential delicacy for locals to entertain guests.

[0003] In recent years, as a distribution base for Dou Dan breeding, acquisition, and sales, Guanyun has an annual trading volume of more than 10,000 tons and an annual output value of hundreds of millions of yuan. It not only solves the employment problem of some surplus labor but also energizes the local economy. However, due to the high requirements of Dou Dan for food and environment, currently, it can only be farmed by covering the fields with nets while planting soybeans, and its production capacity is relatively low. Moreover, when using soybeans to raise Dou Dan, it can usually be put on the market from early August to late September. Although using greenhouse greenhouses can advance the market time of Dou Dan to late May, its production capacity and price are relatively high.

[0004] To effectively solve this problem, intensive breeding of Dou Dan using artificial feed can not only produce more Dou Dan in a limited space, improve production efficiency, and solve the employment problem but also solve the year-round supply of Dou Dan and meet the increasing market demand. However, during the growth process of Dou Dan larvae, they often entangle or kill each other to death in a limited space, seriously reducing the yield during the breeding process.

[0005] In summary, there is still a lack of an intensive breeding method in this field that can effectively improve the breeding yield of Dou Dan. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an intensive breeding method that can effectively improve the breeding yield of Dou Dan.

[0007] In the first aspect of the present invention, a device for hatching Clanis bilineata Walker eggs and raising larvae is provided. The device includes:

[0008] An incubation cage base;

[0009] An egg distribution plate located above the base of the hatching cage;

[0010] The larvae climbing post plate is provided with one or more evenly distributed larvae climbing posts, and the larvae climbing post plate is located on the base of the hatching cage, so that the larvae climbing posts penetrate the egg evenly distributed plate.

[0011] The larval feeding platform is mounted on top of the larval climbing column;

[0012] The larval feeding chamber comprises one or more grid units and is disposed above the larval feeding platform.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the device further includes a ventilation window; the ventilation window is disposed above the larval feeding chamber, and the ventilation window includes a plate-like structure and one or more ventilation holes located on the plate-like structure.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the larval feeding platform includes a mesh structure and fixed crossbeams and fixed longitudinal beams for securing the mesh structure.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the fixed crossbeams and fixed longitudinal beams together divide the mesh structure into one or more feeding units, and the feeding units correspond to the mesh units of the larval feeding chamber.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the hatching cage base, the egg distribution plate, the larva climbing column, the larva feeding platform, the larva feeding chamber, and the ventilation window together constitute the rearing box.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for rearing larvae of the bean hawk moth (Clanis bilineata Walker), the method comprising the steps of:

[0018] (1) After assembling the bean hawk moth egg distribution board and larval climbing column, place them on the base of the hatching cage, and then put bean hawk moth eggs in each grid.

[0019] (2) Place the larval feeding platform on the larval climbing column, then assemble the larval feeding chamber on top and put the feed into the feeding chamber;

[0020] (3) Cover the larval feeding chamber with a ventilation window to raise the bean hawk moth larvae.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, step (1) further includes disinfecting the bean hawk moth eggs, egg distribution board, larval climbing post, and hatching cage base.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the soybean hawk moth eggs are disinfected with formaldehyde.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the egg distribution plate, larval climbing posts, and hatching cage base are disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or 84 disinfectant.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, step (3) further includes covering the larval feeding chamber with sterile absorbent paper before covering the ventilation window.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment, in step (3), the feeding is carried out at 25-30°C and 60-80% relative humidity.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment, in step (3), the feeding includes: after hatching, feeding the bean hawk moth larvae under the above conditions until they complete the larval stage development.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment, during the rearing process, the soybean hawk moth can molt into the second instar in 3-5 days, molt into the third instar in 7-10 days, and complete the entire larval stage development in 25-30 days, which is basically consistent with the larval stage of soybean moths feeding on conventional soybeans.

[0028] It should be understood that, within the scope of this invention, the above-described technical features of this invention and the technical features specifically described below (such as in the embodiments) can be combined with each other to form new or preferred technical solutions. Due to space limitations, they will not be described in detail here. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 The present invention provides a design drawing of a bean larvae hatching cage, which includes: (1) a hatching cage base ( Figure 1 A); (2) Eggs are evenly distributed on a plate ( Figure 1 B); (3) Larvae climbing the pillar ( Figure 1 (C1, C2); (4) Larval feeding platform with mesh ( Figure 1 D); (5) Larval feeding chamber ( Figure 1 E); (6) Ventilation window ( Figure 1 F);

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the assembly steps of the incubation cage of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This describes the feeding and consuming status of 1-2 year old beetle larvae in the feeding device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Through long-term and in-depth research, the inventors have developed a hatching and larval rearing device for the bean hawk moth. This device can effectively prevent the problems of entanglement and cannibalism among bean hawk moth larvae during their growth, thereby effectively increasing the yield during larval rearing. Based on the above findings, the inventors have completed this invention.

[0033] the term

[0034] As used in this article, the term "bean hawk moth" (Clanis bilineata Walker) refers to the genus Clanis in the family Sphingidae of the order Lepidoptera. It is a holometabolous insect, with its entire life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larvae have five instars. In this article, the terms "bean hawk moth larva" and "bean moth" are used interchangeably, both referring to the bean hawk moth in its larval stage.

[0035] As used in this article, the term "young bean hawk moth" refers to 1st-2nd instar bean hawk moth larvae.

[0036] Bean hawk moth egg hatching and larval rearing device

[0037] This invention provides a device for hatching soybean hawk moth eggs and raising larvae, the various components of which are as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it consists of the following 6 components:

[0038] The incubation cage base can be an open box.

[0039] An egg distribution plate is located above the base of the hatching cage; the egg distribution plate is a flat plate with a grid.

[0040] The larvae climbing post plate is provided with one or more evenly distributed larvae climbing posts, and the larvae climbing post plate is located on the base of the hatching cage, so that the larvae climbing posts penetrate the evenly distributed egg plate.

[0041] A larval feeding platform is provided, mounted atop a larval climbing post, and is a semi-permeable structure allowing larvae to feed. In a preferred embodiment, the larval feeding platform includes a mesh structure and fixed crossbeams and longitudinal beams for securing the mesh structure. The fixed crossbeams and longitudinal beams together divide the mesh structure into one or more feeding units, and each feeding unit corresponds to a grid unit in the larval feeding chamber. The mesh opening diameter allows larvae to climb through and reach the larval feeding chamber.

[0042] The larval feeding chamber comprises one or more grid units and is disposed above the larval feeding platform.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a ventilation window; the ventilation window is disposed above the larval feeding chamber, and the ventilation window includes a plate-like structure and one or more ventilation holes located on the plate-like structure.

[0044] The device of the present invention is preferably an integrated structure. For example, the base of the hatching cage is an open box structure, with a cavity inside the open box capable of holding an egg distribution plate and a larval climbing post. The top has a connecting part for attaching a larval feeding platform. The larval feeding platform and the larval feeding chamber are interconnected to form a larval feeding assembly, and the larval feeding assembly has a connecting part for attaching a ventilation window, thereby forming a movable rearing box together.

[0045] The specific parameters of the device of this invention can be arbitrarily designed according to the size of the site, for example, increasing or decreasing the number of larval feeding chambers to adapt to different rearing scales. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the device can be designed in different sizes as needed. Alternatively, a suitable number of rearing boxes can be provided according to the rearing scale; such variations are all consistent with the general concept of this invention.

[0046] Methods for raising soybean hawk moth larvae

[0047] This invention also provides a method for raising bean hawk moth larvae, the method comprising:

[0048] The first step is to disinfect the bean hawk moth eggs with formaldehyde. All related equipment, including the egg distribution board and hatching cage base, should be disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or 84 disinfectant according to the instructions. Operators should wear masks and gloves during all related operations.

[0049] The second step is to assemble the sterilized egg distribution plate and larval climbing posts and place them on the base of the hatching cage. Figure 2 A) Place 1-2 eggs in each grid. After the larvae hatch, they will climb upwards along the pillar. Figure 2 B, red circle).

[0050] The third step is to place the feeding platform with a mesh screen on the larvae climbing post, then place the larvae feeding chamber on top of it, and put the feed into the feeding chamber. Figure 2 C).

[0051] Fourth step, cover with two layers of sterilized absorbent paper, and then cover the ventilation window ( Figure 2 D), and place it at 25-30℃ and 60-80% relative humidity.

[0052] Newly hatched larvae will automatically crawl onto the feed to eat. After feeding for 2-3 days, the larvae will change from their initial pale yellow to pale green. After 3-5 days, they will gradually begin to molt and enter the second instar. Figure 3 ).

[0053] Because the feeding method of the present invention allows the device to be placed in a greenhouse or other suitable conditions, and effectively reduces the mortality of bean hawk moth larvae, the method of the present invention can achieve a higher survival rate of bean hawk moth larvae compared to the prior art.

[0054] Compared with the prior art, the main advantages of the present invention include:

[0055] The device and corresponding breeding technology of the present invention can ensure that newly hatched larvae can directly feed on artificial feed, thereby solving the problem of larvae dying from entanglement or cannibalism after hatching, and laying a good foundation for the large-scale and intensive artificial breeding of bean weevils.

[0056] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Experimental methods in the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, are generally performed under conventional conditions or as recommended by the manufacturer. Unless otherwise stated, percentages and parts are by weight.

[0057] Example 1: Sow thistle egg incubation device and its installation

[0058] In order to achieve efficient artificial rearing of bean caterpillars and solve the problems of entanglement and cannibalism after hatching, and to enable them to autonomously locate and feed on specific artificial feed, this invention has developed a special bean caterpillar egg hatching device and a new technology for larvae to feed on specific artificial feed.

[0059] The design of the device, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device consists of the following 6 components:

[0060] (1) Hatching cage base ( Figure 1 A); (2) Eggs are evenly distributed on a plate ( Figure 1 B); (3) Larvae climbing the pillar ( Figure 1 (C1, 1C2); (4) Larval feeding platform with mesh ( Figure 1 D); (5) Larval feeding chamber ( Figure 1 E); (6) Ventilation window ( Figure 1 F).

[0061] When applicable, the device can be designed to different sizes to suit the usage environment.

[0062] Example 2: Soybean Weevil Rearing

[0063] The first step is to disinfect the bean hawk moth eggs with formaldehyde. All related equipment, including the egg distribution board and hatching cage base, should be disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or 84 disinfectant according to the instructions. Operators should wear masks and gloves during all related operations.

[0064] The second step is to assemble the sterilized egg distribution plate and larval climbing posts and place them on the base of the hatching cage. Figure 2 A) Place 1-2 eggs in each grid. After the larvae hatch, they will climb upwards along the pillar. Figure 2 B, red circle).

[0065] The third step is to place the feeding platform with a mesh screen on the larvae climbing post, then place the larvae feeding chamber on top of it, and put the feed into the feeding chamber. Figure 2 C).

[0066] Fourth step, cover with two layers of sterilized absorbent paper, and then cover the ventilation window ( Figure 2 D), and place it at 25-30℃ and 60-80% relative humidity.

[0067] Newly hatched larvae will automatically crawl onto the feed to eat. After feeding for 2-3 days, the larvae will change from their initial pale yellow to pale green. After 3-5 days, they will gradually begin to molt and enter the second instar. Figure 3 ).

[0068] Using this device and breeding technology, the hatching rate and survival rate of soybean caterpillar eggs can be effectively improved (from about 50% in conventional field breeding to over 90%). Their colonization and feeding on artificial feed lays a crucial technical foundation for large-scale artificial breeding of soybean caterpillars. Secondly, this technology can also provide insect sources for conventional field breeding, shortening the field breeding cycle and improving production efficiency.

[0069] The following table shows the results of a test conducted using a rearing device with 200 eggs, assuming a 100% hatching rate:

[0070]

[0071] Note: The survival rate of 1st instar larvae is calculated based on the number of larvae that successfully hatch, and the survival rate of 2nd instar larvae is calculated based on the proportion of surviving 2nd instar larvae to surviving 1st instar larvae.

[0072] Depending on the quality of the eggs, the hatching rate of each batch of insect eggs varies to some extent. However, the results show that the survival rate of the first-instar larvae successfully hatched in the device of this application and raised in the device of this invention reached more than 90%, while the survival rate of the second-instar larvae reached more than 95%, which is significantly higher than the low larval survival rate of only about 60% when the eggs are placed directly in the field.

[0073] All documents mentioned in this invention are incorporated herein by reference as if each document were individually incorporated by reference. Furthermore, it should be understood that after reading the foregoing teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to this invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for hatching eggs of the bean caterpillar (Chelides Clanis bilineata Walker) and rearing larvae, said device comprising: an incubator base; an egg uniform distribution plate located above the incubator base; a larva climbing column plate, wherein one or more larva climbing columns are uniformly distributed on the larva climbing column plate, and the larva climbing column plate is located above the incubator base so that the larva climbing columns penetrate the egg uniform distribution plate; a larva feeding platform, wherein the larva feeding platform is arranged on top of the larva climbing columns; a larva feeding chamber, wherein the larva feeding chamber comprises one or more grid cells, and the larva feeding chamber is arranged above the larva feeding platform.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The device further comprises a ventilation window, wherein the ventilation window is arranged above the larva feeding chamber, and the ventilation window comprises a plate structure and one or more ventilation holes on the plate structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The larva feeding platform comprises a gauze structure, and a fixed crossbeam and a fixed longitudinal beam for fixing the gauze structure.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The fixed crossbeam and the fixed longitudinal beam jointly divide the gauze structure into one or more feeding cells, and the feeding cells correspond to the grid cells of the larva feeding chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The incubator base, the egg uniform distribution plate, the larva climbing column plate, the larva feeding platform, the larva feeding chamber, and the ventilation window jointly constitute a rearing box.

6. A method of rearing larvae of the bean caterpillar (Cirphis notturna Walker) using the device as claimed in claim 2, characterized by, Clanis bilineata The method comprises the following steps: ​ (1) assembling the egg distribution plate and the larva climbing column, placing them on the incubator base, and then placing the eggs in each grid cell; (2) placing the larva feeding platform on the larva climbing column, assembling the larva feeding chamber above the larva feeding platform, and placing the feed in the feeding chamber; (3) covering the ventilation window above the larva feeding chamber to feed the larva.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, In step (1), the eggs, the egg distribution plate, the larva climbing column, and the incubator base are sterilized.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, In step (3), sterilized absorbent paper is placed on the larva feeding chamber before covering the ventilation window.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein, In step (3), the feeding is carried out at a temperature of 25-30°C and a relative humidity of 60-80%.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, In step (3), after hatching, the larvae are fed at a temperature of 25-30°C and a relative humidity of 60-80% until the larvae complete the larval stage development.

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