Insect collecting device for collecting overwintering insects

Abstract

The invention discloses an insect collecting device for collecting overwintering insects. The insect collecting device comprises an insect trapping chamber (3), louver blade structures (31) are arranged on the periphery of the insect trapping chamber, an incubator (71) is arranged in the insect trapping chamber, an air heater (72) is arranged in the incubator, an insect collecting funnel (8) is arranged at the bottom of the insect trapping chamber, an insect collecting bottle (9) is assembled at a lower opening of the insect collecting funnel, and the insect collecting bottle (9) is connected with the air heater (72). The inner space of the insect trapping chamber is communicated with an insect collecting bottle through an insect gathering funnel; and liquid is contained in the insect collecting bottle. Based on the instinct habit that overwintering insects tend to the warm microenvironment, the warm environment is used for luring the insects to come to the position near the insect collecting device, then the insects are captured through a trap (insect collecting bottle) arranged in the insect luring chamber, and therefore the overwintering insects are collected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an insect collection device, and more particularly to an insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects. Background Technology

[0002] Insects are an important component of ecosystems, and research on their population dynamics, species diversity, and behavioral habits is of great significance. Overwintering is a critical stage in the life cycle of insects in temperate and frigid regions, directly affecting the population explosion base for the following year. Therefore, the monitoring and research of overwintering insects is crucial, whether for the green control of agricultural pests or for biodiversity surveys and the protection of rare species.

[0003] Currently, conventional insect collection methods mainly include light trapping based on insect phototaxis, scent trapping based on food odors, and physical interception methods such as Marshall nets and trap cups based on the random movement paths of insects. These methods show good results during the insect's active seasons (spring, summer, and autumn). Existing winter insect surveys mostly rely on manual digging or bark stripping, which is inefficient and makes it difficult to obtain behavioral data on insects' autonomous selection of overwintering sites. In addition, the harsh conditions and high labor costs of winter field research result in relatively scarce survey data on winter insects, and insufficient understanding of the overwintering habits, locations, and survival strategies of many species. Observations have shown that some overwintering insects instinctively seek relatively warm microenvironments, such as building crevices, under tree bark, and under rocks, to withstand the severe cold. Current technologies lack collection equipment that can actively simulate "warm shelters" and combine them with all-weather behavioral recording. Therefore, developing a collection device that utilizes heat induction, combines the principle of darkroom traps, and can adapt to both aerial and ground environments is key to solving the challenges of winter insect monitoring.

[0004] In summary, the current problem is:

[0005] 1) Currently, conventional insect collection methods do not utilize insects' thermotropism to collect insects, nor do they have collection devices for overwintering insects.

[0006] In addition, there are some minor issues, as follows:

[0007] 2) Existing technology cannot continuously record the overwintering behavior and timing (entry into hibernation / emergence from hibernation) of insects. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects. This insect collection device uses a warm environment to attract and capture insects, thereby achieving the collection of overwintering insects.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] An insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects includes an insect-attracting chamber with louvered sides. An incubator containing an air heater is located inside the chamber. An insect-gathering funnel is located at the bottom of the chamber, and an insect-collecting bottle is attached to the lower opening of the funnel. The interior space of the chamber is connected to the insect-collecting bottle via the funnel. The insect-collecting bottle contains an insect-collecting solution.

[0011] Furthermore, the incubator is made of transparent material and is equipped with a monitoring camera inside.

[0012] Furthermore, the insect collection device also includes a temperature sensor and a temperature controller. The temperature controller is installed outside the insect-attracting chamber, and the temperature sensor is installed inside the insect-attracting chamber. The temperature controller can control the start and stop of the air heater based on the ambient temperature data detected by the temperature sensor, so that the ambient temperature matches the set temperature.

[0013] Furthermore, the insect collection device is also equipped with an insect guide slope that extends from the ground to the louvered structure of the insect-attracting chamber.

[0014] Furthermore, the inner surface of the insect-infested funnel is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene paint.

[0015] Furthermore, the insect collection device is also equipped with a temperature and humidity recorder.

[0016] Furthermore, the insect-collecting device is also equipped with a solar panel and a lithium battery pack, which are used to provide power to the insect-collecting device.

[0017] Furthermore, the insect-attracting chamber is provided with a compartment, and the lithium battery pack is disposed in the compartment.

[0018] Furthermore, the insect collecting bottle is made of transparent material.

[0019] Furthermore, the air heater is suspended at the center of the warm box.

[0020] The insect collection device of the present invention for collecting overwintering insects has the following main advantages over the prior art:

[0021] Based on the instinctive habit of overwintering insects to seek warm microenvironments, the warm environment is used to lure insects to the vicinity of the insect collection device, and then the traps (collection bottles) set in the insect-attracting chamber are used to capture the insects, thereby achieving the collection of overwintering insects. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the insect-guiding slope provided for the insect-collecting device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following provides further details on specific embodiments of the present invention:

[0025] This embodiment provides an insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects. The feature of this insect collection device is that it utilizes the thermotropism of insects to achieve insect collection.

[0026] See Figure 1 The main body of the insect collection device in this embodiment is an insect-attracting chamber 3, which is made of dark PVC board.

[0027] The insect-attracting chamber 3 is designed in the form of a louvered box, that is, the insect-attracting chamber 3 is surrounded by louvered structures 31, so that insects outside can enter the interior of the insect-attracting chamber 3 through the louvered structures 31.

[0028] A large roof 1 is provided on the top of the insect-attracting chamber 3, which can protect the entire insect-attracting chamber 3 from wind and rain.

[0029] The top cover 1 extends outward by 15cm and is inclined at 30°.

[0030] Inside the insect-attracting chamber 3 is a warm box 71, which is made of transparent material to form a transparent sealed box. Inside the warm box 71 is a conventional air heater 72 (such as a common air heater on the market), which is suspended in the center of the warm box 71 by a rope.

[0031] Then, a temperature sensor 73 and a temperature controller 74 are also provided for the air heater 72. The temperature controller 74 can set the temperature and control the start and stop of the air heater 72 based on the ambient temperature data detected by the temperature sensor 73, so that the temperature of the interlayer between the warm box 71 and the insect-attracting chamber 3 is maintained at about 5°C higher than the outside ambient temperature. The combination of the air heater 72, the temperature sensor 73 and the temperature controller 74 essentially functions as a heating and air conditioning system.

[0032] In this embodiment, both the temperature controller 74 and the temperature sensor 73 are installed on the insect-attracting chamber 3. The temperature controller 74 is installed outside the insect-attracting chamber 3, and the temperature sensor 73 is installed inside the insect-attracting chamber 3.

[0033] The function of the entire incubator 71 is to heat the air inside the insect-attracting chamber 3, thereby creating a warm air environment inside the insect-attracting chamber 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, the air inside the insect-attracting chamber 3 is not directly heated by the air heater 72, but rather heated through the incubator 71. The advantage of this method is that:

[0035] On the one hand, it can keep the temperature around the incubator 71 as constant as possible, and prevent heat loss from being too fast due to strong winds or other weather conditions;

[0036] On the other hand, insects that enter the insect-attracting chamber 3 cannot enter the incubator 71, thus ensuring that the devices installed in the incubator 71 are not harmed by insects (including the air heater 72 and the monitoring camera 6, which will be mentioned later).

[0037] In addition, a monitoring camera 6 is installed inside the incubator 71 to monitor the condition inside the insect-attracting chamber 3. Since the incubator 71 is transparent, the monitoring camera 6 can monitor the entire interior of the insect-attracting chamber 3 without blind spots.

[0038] To address the power supply issue for the various electrical components in the insect-collecting device, the device is also equipped with a solar panel 2 and a lithium battery pack 5, which provides power to these components. The lithium battery pack 5 can store excess electricity from the solar panel 2, or it can be used to ensure continued operation of the equipment when the solar panel 2 provides insufficient power.

[0039] A compartment is provided in the insect-attracting chamber 3, specifically located below the top cover 1. The lithium battery pack 5 is placed in this compartment. The bottom plate of the compartment is a heat insulation board to prevent heat from the warm box 71 from entering the compartment where the lithium battery pack 5 is located.

[0040] The solar panel 2 is mounted on the top cover 1.

[0041] To facilitate the recording of temperature and humidity data around the insect collection device, a conventional temperature and humidity recorder 4 is installed below the top cover 1. This recorder is used to record precise ambient environmental data, which can clarify the environmental conditions for insects entering and exiting hibernation, and can be analyzed in conjunction with the insect collection data. Placing the temperature and humidity recorder 4 below the top cover 1 also reduces the risk of damage to the recorder 4 from environmental factors such as rainfall or sunlight.

[0042] The insect-attracting chamber 3 is also equipped with a conventional temperature and humidity recorder 4, which is used to record accurate data of the surrounding environment. This data can be used for joint analysis with insect collection data.

[0043] An opening is provided at the bottom of the insect-attracting chamber 3, and an insect-gathering funnel 8 is provided for the opening. An insect-collecting bottle 9 is provided below the insect-gathering funnel 8. The large opening of the insect-gathering funnel 8 is sealed and fitted at the opening at the bottom of the insect-attracting chamber 3, and the small opening of the insect-gathering funnel 8 is sealed and fitted together with the bottle mouth of the insect-collecting bottle 9.

[0044] More specifically, both the small opening of the insect-gathering funnel 8 and the mouth of the insect-collecting bottle 9 are provided with mating threads, and the mating threads of the two are matched. The two are assembled together by screwing together the mating threads.

[0045] The interior space of the insect-attracting chamber 3 is connected to the insect-collecting bottle 9 via the insect-gathering funnel 8.

[0046] The insect collection bottle 9 contains a liquid for collecting insects, which is defined as "insect collection liquid". When an insect falls into the insect collection liquid in the insect collection bottle 9, it cannot escape, thus achieving the purpose of collection.

[0047] The insect collection device of this embodiment is used and operates on the following principle:

[0048] As winter approaches and the weather gradually turns cold, insects instinctively seek out microenvironments that can buffer against drastic temperature changes and engage in physiological hibernation to survive the cold winter. These include places like soil or leaf litter, under tree bark, in tree cavities, in rock crevices, and in wall cracks.

[0049] The insect collection device of this embodiment utilizes this instinctive characteristic of insects. An air heater 72 is used to control the temperature inside the warm box 71 and further control the temperature inside the insect-attracting chamber 3, so that the air temperature is stabilized within a warm and suitable temperature range to attract insects to the insect collection device. Then, the insects will instinctively seek out warm gaps and enter the insect-attracting chamber 3 through the louvered structure 31. The insects that enter the insect-attracting chamber 3 then enter the insect-collecting bottle 9 through the insect-gathering funnel 8 and finally fall into the insect collection liquid inside the insect-collecting bottle 9, thereby achieving the collection of insect bodies.

[0050] It should be noted that,

[0051] The blades in the louvered structure 31 of the insect-attracting chamber 3 are set at an angle downwards to prevent insects from flying upwards smoothly. After flying into the narrow space and hitting the louvered structure 31, they can fall into the insect-gathering funnel 8 and enter the insect-collecting bottle 9.

[0052] Meanwhile, the insect collecting bottle 9 is made of transparent plastic. During the day, the insect-attracting chamber 3 is dark, while the insect collecting bottle 9 is transparent. As a result, driven by their phototaxis, insects will move toward the insect collecting bottle 9 and will eventually be collected in the insect collecting bottle 9.

[0053] In this embodiment, the insect collecting bottle 9 is a wide-mouthed bottle with a screw thread, which can periodically remove the collected insects and replace the new insect collecting bottle 9.

[0054] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the insect collection liquid contained in the insect collection bottle 9 is 95% ethanol, and a layer of glycerin is coated on the surface of the ethanol to prevent rapid evaporation and slow down moisture absorption. When the insects slide into the ethanol, they are quickly killed and preserved.

[0055] In other embodiments, the insect collection liquid contained in the insect collection bottle 9 can be determined according to actual needs.

[0056] To prevent insects inside the insect-collecting funnel 8 from crawling back into the insect-attracting chamber 3, the inner surface of the insect-collecting funnel 8 is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene paint, making the surface of the insect-collecting funnel 8 smooth and preventing insects from climbing and escaping.

[0057] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the insect-attracting chamber 3 is made of dark-colored PVC board, which passively absorbs solar heat during the day. At the same time, the interior is pitch black, and combined with the transparent insect-collecting bottle 9, insects enter and move downwards due to phototaxis, falling into the insect-collecting bottle 9.

[0058] The outer wall of the insect-attracting chamber 3 is rough, making it easy for insects to grasp and stay.

[0059] The insect-attracting chamber 3 is a rectangular louvered box measuring 30cm × 30cm × 40cm. The louvered slits serve as the insect-attracting entrance, approximately 5-8mm wide, angled inwards and downwards at 45°. The slits are wider at the outer edge and narrower at the inner edge, facilitating entry but hindering exit. When crawling out of the insect-attracting chamber 3, the insects' vision is blocked, and the force of gravity greatly reduces their chances of escape.

[0060] In this embodiment, the monitoring camera 6 has a wide-angle camera function, which can cover all parts of the insect-attracting chamber 3. The monitoring camera 6 is equipped with an infrared LED fill light, which makes it easy to clearly obtain video of insects entering in dark environments.

[0061] The surveillance camera 6 also features motion detection, enabling it to sense insect movement, track and record it, capture insect gathering and fighting behavior in complete darkness, and record the time insects enter the device. The recorded video is stored on a memory card, which is retrieved periodically when samples are collected.

[0062] The main innovative advantage of the insect collection device in this embodiment is:

[0063] 1) The first temperature-induced mechanism uses temperature as the core trapping factor. Based on the instinctive habit of overwintering insects to seek warm microenvironments, the temperature in the insect-attracting chamber 3 is increased by using the incubator 71 to attract insects to the vicinity of the insect collection device. Then, the traps (insect collection bottles 9) set in the insect-attracting chamber 3 are used to capture the insects, thereby realizing the collection of overwintering insects.

[0064] In addition, the insect collection device of this embodiment has other advantages, as follows:

[0065] 2) Highly efficient trapping: By using thermal gradient trapping, the capture rate of insects is significantly improved during the low-temperature season. Through internal monitoring, the aggregation behavior of insects before overwintering is captured and the time point of entering the overwintering period is recorded.

[0066] 3) Phenological monitoring: Accurately capture the time point when the first batch of insects awaken in spring (emergence from hibernation), and combine temperature and humidity data to analyze the "critical temperature for awakening insects";

[0067] 4) High specimen preservation quality: The use of a composite preservation solution of ethanol and glycerol is suitable for the humid winter environment and prevents the specimen from rotting or absorbing moisture;

[0068] 5) The device can also be set up in farmland to attract overwintering insects and reduce damage to farmland in the following year.

[0069] The insect collection device in this embodiment can be arranged in two ways:

[0070] First arrangement method:

[0071] See Figure 2 In order to enable insects that are active on the ground to enter the insect-attracting chamber 3, such as ground beetles and rove beetles, an insect-guiding slope 10 can be set up for the insect-attracting chamber 3. The insect-guiding slope 10 extends from the ground to the louvered structure 31 of the insect-attracting chamber 3. In this way, insects on the ground can slowly crawl into the insect-attracting chamber 3 along the insect-guiding slope 10.

[0072] Specifically, the insect-attracting chamber 3 is surrounded by a mound of soil or wooden planks to construct an insect-guided slope 10. The insect-guided slope 10 can be constructed on the forest floor in a sheltered location with a thick layer of fallen leaves.

[0073] It should be noted that setting insect guide slopes 10 on both sides of the insect collection device can also increase the overall stability. For example, using wooden boards to construct the insect guide slopes 10 on both sides of the insect collection device, with the upper end of the wooden boards abutting against the insect-attracting chamber 3 and the lower end of the wooden boards inserted into the ground, can increase the overall stability of the insect collection device.

[0074] The second arrangement method:

[0075] For insects that fly regularly, such as ladybugs, tea-winged bugs, overwintering wasps, and leaf beetles, the insect collection device of this embodiment can be hung on the sunny side of a tree trunk 1 to 1.5 meters above the ground, and the insect collection device can be firmly fixed to the tree trunk with nylon straps.

[0076] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects, characterized in that: The insect collection device includes an insect-attracting chamber (3). The insect-attracting chamber (3) is surrounded by a louvered structure (31). The insect-attracting chamber (3) is equipped with a warm box (71), and the warm box (71) is equipped with an air heater (72). The bottom of the insect-attracting chamber (3) is provided with an insect-gathering funnel (8). An insect collecting bottle (9) is fitted at the lower opening of the insect-gathering funnel (8). The interior space of the insect-attracting chamber (3) is connected to the insect-collecting bottle (9) via the insect-gathering funnel (8); The insect collection bottle (9) contains insect collection liquid.

2. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The incubator (71) is made of transparent material and a monitoring camera (6) is installed inside the incubator (71).

3. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insect collection device also includes a temperature sensor (73) and a temperature controller (74), the temperature controller (74) being installed outside the insect-attracting chamber (3) and the temperature sensor (73) being installed inside the insect-attracting chamber (3); The temperature controller (74) can control the start and stop of the air heater (72) based on the ambient temperature data detected by the temperature sensor (73) so that the ambient temperature matches the set temperature.

4. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insect collection device is also equipped with an insect guide slope (10), which extends from the ground to the leaf blade structure (31) of the insect-attracting chamber (3).

5. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the insect funnel (8) is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene paint.

6. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insect collection device is also equipped with a temperature and humidity recorder (4).

7. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insect collection device is also equipped with a solar panel (2) and a lithium battery pack (5), which are used to provide power to the insect collection device.

8. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 7, characterized in that: The insect-attracting chamber (3) is equipped with a compartment, and the lithium battery pack (5) is installed in the compartment.

9. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insect collection bottle (9) is made of transparent material.

10. The insect collection device for collecting overwintering insects according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air heater (72) is suspended in the center of the warm box (71).

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