A convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm.

Abstract

This application provides a convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for the fall armyworm, relating to the field of insect cultivation. It includes: a chamber with an opening on one side, a first light-transmitting surface on the top, and ventilation holes on the side walls; a door hinged to the opening side of the chamber, with a second light-transmitting surface on its surface and an operating opening on the second light-transmitting surface; a switch mechanism on the door for opening or closing the operating opening; a planting tray inside the chamber for planting host plants; and a lighting mechanism on the top of the chamber, providing light to the interior of the chamber through the first light-transmitting surface. This application reduces the frequency of human intervention and enables the fall armyworm to reproduce autonomously throughout its entire life cycle from egg to adult.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of insect breeding technology, and in particular to a convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm populations. Background Technology

[0002] The fall armyworm, a major migratory agricultural pest globally, has posed a serious threat to crops such as corn and rice since its invasion of my country in 2019. It is characterized by its high reproductive capacity, wide host range, and rapid development of pesticide resistance. Establishing stable experimental populations is fundamental for conducting research on its biological characteristics, monitoring pesticide resistance, and developing control technologies.

[0003] Currently, traditional indoor artificial breeding devices for fall armyworm generally have significant drawbacks:

[0004] (1) The nutrient supply of the host plant (such as corn seedlings) is difficult to sustain, and the seedlings need to be replaced or the feed needs to be supplemented frequently. This not only increases the complexity of operation, but also makes it easy for larval development to be interrupted or adult mating and egg-laying behavior to be hindered due to environmental disturbances.

[0005] (2) Existing devices mostly adopt a split structure. Eggs, larvae and adults need to be manually transferred to different containers at each developmental stage, which cannot achieve closed-loop support for the life cycle. Moreover, the open design is easily contaminated by external insects or causes adults to escape.

[0006] (3) The environmental control components such as lighting and ventilation of traditional devices are not sufficiently coordinated with the breeding space, making it difficult to simulate natural ecological conditions and resulting in low population reproduction efficiency.

[0007] The aforementioned problems present researchers with practical difficulties in maintaining the fall armyworm population, including cumbersome host plant management, poor life cycle continuity, and high environmental control costs. These challenges severely restrict the progress of basic research and control technology development for the fall armyworm. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a highly efficient breeding device that can achieve long-term stable nutrient supply from host plants, autonomous cycling throughout the entire life cycle, and environmental control, in order to overcome existing technological bottlenecks and provide crucial support for the research and control of the fall armyworm. Utility Model Content

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this application provides a convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm populations, enabling the fall armyworm to autonomously cycle through its entire life cycle from egg to adult, reducing the frequency of human intervention, simulating its natural habitat, improving breeding efficiency, and lowering operating costs.

[0009] The technical solution provided in this application for a convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm populations adopts the following approach:

[0010] A convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm, comprising:

[0011] The cabin has an opening on one side, a first light-transmitting surface on the top, and ventilation holes on the side walls.

[0012] The hatch is hinged to the opening side of the cabin and has a second light-transmitting surface on its surface, with an operating port on the second light-transmitting surface.

[0013] A switching mechanism, located on the hatch, is used to open or close the operating port;

[0014] A planting tray, located inside the cabin, is used to grow host plants;

[0015] The lighting mechanism is located on the top of the cabin and provides illumination to the interior of the cabin through the first light-transmitting surface.

[0016] Furthermore, the lighting mechanism includes spaced-apart lamp tubes and lamp holders, with the lamp tubes supported on the top of the cabin by the lamp holders.

[0017] Furthermore, multiple lamps are spaced apart along the top surface of the cabin.

[0018] Furthermore, a protective cover is provided on the top of the cabin, which covers the entire lighting mechanism.

[0019] Furthermore, the protective cover is made of a transparent material.

[0020] Furthermore, the cabin is designed as a cube with its opening on the front side, and mesh is provided on its left, right and rear sides, with the mesh openings serving as ventilation holes.

[0021] Furthermore, the diameter of the vent hole is no greater than 0.5 mm.

[0022] Furthermore, the switching mechanism includes a mounting frame and a sliding baffle. The mounting frame is fixedly disposed on the second light-transmitting surface, the operating port is located inside the mounting frame, and the sliding baffle is slidably disposed inside the mounting frame.

[0023] Furthermore, the sliding baffle is made of a transparent material.

[0024] Furthermore, two handles are provided on each of the two opposite sides of the cabin.

[0025] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0026] 1. This application features a planting tray inside the cabin, allowing the cultivation of plants such as corn and rice. After hatching, the larvae directly feed on corn leaves, pupate in leaf axils or soil, and adult moths lay eggs on the surface of corn leaves or in the soil after emergence, thus achieving a closed-loop life cycle from egg to larva to pupa to adult. This eliminates the need for manual transfer of individuals at each developmental stage. The lighting device provides illumination to the plants in the planting tray through the first light-transmitting surface at the top of the cabin, maintaining the light duration required for normal plant growth. An operation port is provided to facilitate operations such as replenishing nutrient solution and adjusting seedling positions inside the cabin, reducing interference with the internal microenvironment and solving problems in existing technologies such as cumbersome host plant replacement, the need for manual transfer of fall armyworm at each developmental stage, and inconsistent environmental control.

[0027] 2. By setting the lighting mechanism to multiple spaced lamp tubes, this application can not only expand the illumination area and improve the uniformity of light distribution inside the chamber, but also reduce the possibility of fall armyworms gathering together, resulting in uneven egg-laying distribution or abnormal activity patterns; the spaced light source is closer to the natural light scattering state, reducing the difference between the laboratory and the field environment and improving the ecological applicability of the experimental results.

[0028] 3. This application sets the switch assembly as a sliding baffle and makes the sliding baffle a transparent material to block the operating opening and prevent adult insects from escaping from the operating opening. The sliding baffle makes it convenient for staff to open and close the operating opening, and its transparent material can avoid obstructing the view. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cabin according to an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Reference numerals: 1. Cabin; 11. First light-transmitting surface; 12. Mesh screen; 2. Cabin door; 21. Second light-transmitting surface; 22. Operating port; 3. Switching mechanism; 31. Mounting frame; 32. Sliding baffle; 4. Planting tray; 5. Lighting mechanism; 51. Lamp tube; 52. Lamp holder; 6. Protective cover. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0034] This application discloses a convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for the fall armyworm. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm includes:

[0035] The cabin 1 has an opening on one side, a first light-transmitting surface 11 on the top, and ventilation holes on the side walls.

[0036] The hatch 2 is hinged to the opening side of the cabin 1, and a second light-transmitting surface 21 is provided on its surface. An operation port 22 is provided on the second light-transmitting surface 21.

[0037] The switch mechanism 3 is disposed on the hatch 2 and is used to open or close the operation port 22;

[0038] Planting tray 4, located inside the cabin 1, is used to plant host plants and is made of aluminum alloy to improve durability;

[0039] The lighting mechanism 5 is located on the top of the cabin 1 and provides light into the cabin 1 through the first light-transmitting surface 11.

[0040] When cultivating fall armyworm, soil is filled into planting tray 4, and plants such as corn and rice are planted. After hatching, the larvae feed directly on the corn leaves and pupate in the leaf axils or soil. After emerging as adults, they lay eggs on the surface of corn leaves or in the soil, thus realizing a closed-loop life cycle of egg-larva-pupa-adult. There is no need to manually transfer individuals at each developmental stage. The lighting device provides light to the plants in planting tray 4 through the first light-transmitting surface 11 at the top of the chamber 1 to maintain the light duration required for normal plant growth. An operation port 22 is provided to facilitate the staff to replenish nutrient solution and adjust the position of seedlings inside the chamber 1, reducing interference with the microenvironment inside the chamber 1. This solves the problems of cumbersome host plant replacement, the need for manual transfer of fall armyworm at each developmental stage, and inconsistent environmental control in existing technologies.

[0041] Specifically, the chamber 1 is a cube with side dimensions of 30*40*50cm. Each side is constructed from an aluminum alloy frame. It has an opening at the front and a closed base at the bottom, made of metal plate. Nylon mesh 12 is fixedly installed on the left, right, and rear sides. The mesh openings of the mesh 12 serve as ventilation holes, allowing air circulation within the chamber 1. Furthermore, the mesh opening diameter of the mesh 12 is no greater than 0.5mm to prevent fall armyworms from escaping through the mesh. The first light-transmitting surface 11 at the top of the chamber 1 is made of 5mm thick tempered glass with a light transmittance ≥92%, facilitating the illumination mechanism 5 to provide light into the chamber 1.

[0042] The hatch 2 is sized to fit the cabin 1. One end of the hatch is hinged to the cabin 1 via two hinges, while the other end has a sliding latch. The latch engages with a socket on the cabin 1 to lock the hatch 2. When locked, the hatch 2 frame fits tightly against the cabin 1 frame, preventing the fall armyworm from escaping. The hatch 2 is framed with an aluminum alloy frame, and a second light-transmitting surface 21 is provided inside the frame. This second light-transmitting surface 21 is also made of 5mm thick tempered glass with a light transmittance of ≥92%, facilitating observation of the fall armyworm and plant growth inside the cabin 1. Alternatively, the first light-transmitting surface 11 and the second light-transmitting surface 21 can also be made of transparent acrylic sheets.

[0043] The operating port 22 is located at the center of the second light-transmitting surface 21. It is a circular hole with a diameter ranging from 5 to 10 cm. In this embodiment, the circular hole has a diameter of 7.5 cm.

[0044] Furthermore, refer to Figure 2 The switch structure includes a mounting frame 31 and a sliding baffle 32. The mounting frame 31 is a rectangular frame, glued and fixed to the second light-transmitting surface 21. The mounting frame 31 is divided into two halves along its vertical bisecting plane, and the operating port 22 is located at the center of one half of the mounting frame 31. The inner bottom wall and inner top wall of the mounting frame 31 are provided with sliding grooves, and the switch is slidably positioned within the grooves. By sliding the sliding baffle 32, the operating port 22 can be closed or opened by blocking or offsetting it. The height of the sliding baffle 32 is ≥15cm to facilitate complete coverage of the circular hole.

[0045] Furthermore, to avoid the sliding baffle 32 obstructing the view, the operating opening 22 is made of 5mm thick tempered glass. The gap between the sliding baffle 32 and the second light-transmitting surface 21 is no more than 0.5mm to prevent larvae from escaping through the gap.

[0046] Reference Figure 2The lighting mechanism 5 includes spaced-apart lamp tubes 51 and lamp holders 52. The lamp tubes 51 are full-spectrum LED lamps with a power of 15W / tube and a spectral range of 400-700mm. The lamp holder 52 is an inverted V-shaped bracket, which can improve the stability of the lamp tubes 51. The top of the lamp holder 52 has an arc-shaped groove for mounting the lamp tubes 51. The lamp tubes 51 can be stably embedded in the arc-shaped groove, ensuring a stable connection between the lamp tubes 51 and the lamp holder 52.

[0047] To improve the uniformity of the light source provided by the lighting mechanism 5, three sets of lamp tubes 51 and lamp holders 52 are arranged at intervals along the width of the chamber 1. This not only expands the illumination area and improves the uniformity of light distribution inside the chamber 1, but also reduces the possibility of fall armyworms gathering together, leading to uneven egg-laying distribution or abnormal activity patterns. The interval provision of light sources is closer to the natural light scattering state, reduces the difference between the laboratory and the field environment, and improves the ecological applicability of the experimental results.

[0048] Since the lamp tube 51 is located at the top of the cabin 1, if it were exposed, it would easily accumulate dust, affecting the lighting quality, and would also be easily damaged. Therefore, a protective cover 6 is installed on the top of the cabin 1. The protective cover 6 is a truncated pyramid and can cover the entire lighting mechanism 5, reducing the space occupied by the device while protecting the lamp tube 51 inside. To facilitate observation of the interior of the cabin 1, the protective cover 6 is made of transparent material. In this embodiment, a lightweight transparent acrylic sheet is used.

[0049] Furthermore, the protective cover 6 is detachably connected to the cabin 1 by screws, which facilitates the replacement or repair of the lamp 51 when the internal lamp 51 is damaged.

[0050] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown, two handles are welded and fixed on both sides of the top of the cabin 1. The handles are made of ABS engineering plastic and are U-shaped to facilitate the indoor and outdoor handling of the cabin 1.

[0051] The specific steps for implementing a convenient indoor / outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to an embodiment of this application include:

[0052] Step 1: Place planting tray 4 on the base at the bottom of the container 1. Fill the planting tray 4 with moist soil and sow corn seeds. When the seedlings grow to the 3-4 leaf stage (about 10 days old), move the container 1 to the target site (indoor light incubator or outdoor ventilated place).

[0053] Step 2: Connect the power supply to lamp 51, set the illumination cycle to 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness, and the light intensity to 3000-5000 lux;

[0054] Step 3: Lay the corn leaves containing fall armyworm egg masses flat on the surface of the planting layer, or place them directly in the leaf axils of the corn seedlings inside compartment 1. Close compartment 2 and maintain the humidity inside the compartment at 60%-80%.

[0055] Step 4: After the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the corn leaves on their own. If nutrient solution needs to be added during this period, the operation port 22 can be opened through the sliding baffle 32 to spray the diluted foliar fertilizer onto the leaf surface. After the operation, the sliding baffle 32 should be reset.

[0056] Step 5: After the larvae mature, they pupate in the corn leaf axils or soil without the need for manual transfer. The soil depth (10cm) of the bottom planting layer of the ecological rearing chamber 1 meets the requirements for constructing the pupal chamber.

[0057] Step 6: After the adults emerge, hang oviposition paper (or use corn leaves directly) inside the chamber 1. Natural ventilation is provided through the mesh 12 to meet mating needs. Oviposition is observed daily through the first light-transmitting surface 11 and the second light-transmitting surface 21.

[0058] Step 7: When the corn seedlings grow to the 6-leaf stage (about 25 days old), open door 2, remove the old plants, and replace them with new 3-leaf stage corn seedlings (the planting layer can be reused and disinfected every 3 months).

[0059] Step 8: Regularly wipe the dust off the first light-transmitting surface 11, the second light-transmitting surface 21, and the surface of the lamp tube 51 to ensure light transmittance; check the mesh 12 for damage and replace it in time to prevent fall armyworm from escaping.

[0060] Through the above implementation methods, the device of this application can realize the autonomous reproduction of fall armyworm from egg to adult. A single chamber can support the continuous reproduction of 50-100 adults at a time, and the corn seedling replacement cycle is extended to more than 25 days, reducing the frequency of human intervention by 70% compared with traditional devices.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm, characterized in that, include: The cabin has an opening on one side, a first light-transmitting surface on the top, and ventilation holes on the side walls. The hatch is hinged to the opening side of the cabin and has a second light-transmitting surface on its surface, with an operating port on the second light-transmitting surface. A switching mechanism, located on the hatch, is used to open or close the operating port; A planting tray, located inside the cabin, is used to grow host plants; The lighting mechanism is located on the top of the cabin and provides illumination to the interior of the cabin through the first light-transmitting surface.

2. The Spodoptera frugiperda indoor and outdoor population portable propagation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lighting mechanism includes spaced-apart lamp tubes and lamp holders, with the lamp tubes supported on the top of the cabin by the lamp holders.

3. The Spodoptera frugiperda indoor and outdoor population portable propagation device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Multiple lamps are spaced apart along the top surface of the cabin.

4. The Spodoptera frugiperda indoor and outdoor population portable propagation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the cabin is equipped with a protective cover that covers the entire lighting mechanism.

5. The convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to claim 4, characterized in that, The protective cover is made of transparent material.

6. The convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabin is designed as a cube with an opening on the front side. It is equipped with mesh on the left, right and rear sides, and the mesh openings of the mesh are ventilation holes.

7. A convenient indoor / outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to claim 6, characterized in that, The diameter of the vent hole is no greater than 0.5 mm.

8. The convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching mechanism includes a mounting frame and a sliding baffle. The mounting frame is fixedly disposed on the second light-transmitting surface, the operating port is located inside the mounting frame, and the sliding baffle is slidably disposed inside the mounting frame.

9. A convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sliding baffle is made of transparent material.

10. A convenient indoor and outdoor breeding device for fall armyworm according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabin is equipped with two handles on each of its two opposite sides.

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