Hymenoptera trap with non-return concealment screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a trap (20) for selectively capturing hymenoptera, comprising a box having a bottom (201) and at least three walls, of which at least two walls each have an opening (22) for the circulation of emanations, each opening (22) for the circulation of emanations has a porous mounting plate (21) covering the opening (22) for the circulation of emanations, said porous mounting plate (21) has a funnel-shaped cross section with a large base and a small base, the small base comprises at least one selective passage orifice (212) and the small base is placed towards the inside of the trap (20), characterized in that the selective trap (20) has a concealment screen (24) placed in front of said at least one selective passage orifice (212) inside said selective trap (20).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE OF THE INVENTION: HYMENOPTERA CAPTURE CAGE WITH ANTI-RETURN PRIVACY SCREEN

[0003] The invention relates to a self-contained capture cage for unwanted insects, in particular unwanted hymenoptera such as the species Vespa velutina more commonly known as the Asian hornet or yellow-legged hornet.

[0004] Known from the state of the art is a capture cage for Asian hornets developed by the Applicant, described in WO2019162893.

[0005] As explained in this document, the Asian hornet, accidentally imported with Chinese goods in 2004, has proven to be a very invasive pest due to its exponential reproduction mode and its need for meat protein.

[0006] A generalist predator, it impacts many species of useful insects including many pollinators which are the prey of this predator. It is in fact destructive of biodiversity and threatens the food chain by its omnipresence in territories with large fluctuations in density.

[0007] This hornet is capable of destroying entire hives of honeybees in a single season, severely affecting beekeeping activity and accelerating the disappearance of beekeepers by ruining their farms.

[0008] Asian hornets are social insects and therefore live in colonies. These are sheltered in cellulose nests made up of individuals divided into castes, each playing a defined role in the colony. The queen founds the colony and then lays eggs. The workers, unfertilized female workers, remove the larvae, supply the colony with food and build the nest. The young queens ensure the dissemination of the species over a radius of nearly 70km / year (source: Insect Biology Research Institute of Tours). The social bond is ensured by a pheromone produced by the foundress which is specific to each colony (nest). The phenomenon of "trophallaxis", less developed in Vespa velutina than in the honeybee, allows the sharing and exchange of food brought back to the nest by the workers between all the individuals in the colony.The young queen, who has become a "foundress," is at the center of the colony's social network due to her production of pheromones that allow for perfect cohesion. Since the foundress plays a major role in reproduction, her death ultimately leads to the decline of the colony. All female social Hymenoptera are equipped with a venom-injecting system, i.e., a sting capable of injecting venom, which is painful and sometimes dangerous for humans if the envenomation is severe.

[0009] From a biological point of view, Vespa velutina differs from its European cousin Vespa crabro in several traits, morphological nuances and its exclusively diurnal activity.

[0010] The nest of Vespa velutina is generally built in the open air, very often at the top of large trees, unlike its European cousin which always establishes its nest in pre-existing cavities, well sheltered from the weather.

[0011] Vespa velutina thrives better in human-affected environments than in the countryside. Its nest is also much larger and more populous: it can contain up to 2,000 individuals compared to 800 for Vespa crabro.

[0012] Vespa velutina is particularly efficient in hunting because it is very fast and able to hover. This allows it to capture its prey very efficiently. It carries them away to cut them up and keeps only the thorax with which it will make a pellet that it brings back to the nest to feed the larvae.

[0013] When an Asian hornet nest has detected an apiary or a nest of social insects, the presence of the hornets hovering in front of the entrance to the hives stresses the bee colonies, which then no longer feed normally: reserves are depleted, the queens stop laying eggs and the colonies collapse due to a lack of food and / or population to maintain a sufficient temperature in the colony.

[0014] The Asian hornet is therefore a scourge for beekeeping activity.

[0015] There is a control technique that allows you to destroy an undiscovered nest by capturing the insect, then handling it and applying an attractant and insecticide. When it returns to the nest, it contaminates the other hornets (by the "Trojan horse" principle). To be implemented, good control is required (because it is necessary to handle them). Trapping consists of using devices that contain an attractive bait for the hornets, and which keep them captive.

[0016] The vast majority of traps, such as "bottle or bell" traps, are not sufficiently effective because the hornet can make vertical flights, making it possible for them to escape, and they have the major disadvantage of being insufficiently selective.

[0017] As an illustration, US2018 / 0042212 discloses an insect trap using a bottle and a funnel system which, on the one hand, lacks selectivity and, on the other hand, does not allow sufficient diffusion of the olfactory effluvia of a possible bait. A similar principle is found in US 1,386408 which suffers from the same defects (admittedly attenuated). US869556 and WO 2012 / 001442 disclose cages which do not allow species selectivity. Not all of these traps allow Vespa velutina to be captured satisfactorily.

[0018] Another curative control technique involves destroying nests using significant equipment (telescopic pole, spraying equipment), good protection, handling biocides, and possible hornet attack. Electrocuting hornets with an "electric harp" allows the destruction of hornets near hives. All these methods are curative and do not effectively control the species.

[0019] In this context, the capture cage disclosed in WO2019162893 has enabled the provision of a particularly effective selective capture device, specifically for Asian hornets. However, it has been observed that in rare cases, some specimens managed to escape from the cage.

[0020] Furthermore, the ever-increasing influx of people and goods on the planet necessarily generates new contaminations of foreign species impacting the balance of local ecosystems (as is the case of the Asian hornet in Europe). Thus, contamination by new species of harmful exogenous hymenoptera has been reported for example in Canada and the USA (in particular cases of Vespa mandarinia reported). Consequently, it will be necessary in the future to quickly set up traps targeting unexpected species.

[0021] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a technical solution responding to these various difficulties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An object of the present invention relates to a selective cage for capturing hymenoptera comprising a box having a bottom and at least three walls, at least two of which each have an opening for the circulation of effluvia, each opening for the circulation of effluvia comprises a porous plate covering the opening for the circulation of effluvia, said porous plate comprises a funnel-shaped section having a large base and a small base, the small base comprises at least one selective passage orifice and the small base is placed towards the inside of the capture cage, characterized in that said selective capture cage comprises a privacy screen placed in front of said at least one selective passage orifice inside said selective capture cage.

[0023] It has been found that adding a privacy screen prevents insects from escaping from the cage by passing back through the selective passage opening.

[0024] By "screen" is meant according to the present invention a physical separation, such as a screen or a flap, thus creating a visual occultation of the orifice, seen from the inside of the cage opposite said orifice. The screen is configured to allow the introduction of insects via the selective passage orifice into the capture cage. Advantageously, the screen is configured so as to create a space between said orifice and the screen or fixed in a movably manner, such as a flap, to leave a communication space between the outside of the cage and the inside of the cage via the selective passage orifice.

[0025] Surprisingly, it was found that even though the privacy screen makes it more difficult for insects to enter the cage, the privacy screen does not appear to be a significant obstacle that can deter insects from entering the trap. Thus, even though the privacy screen can create a congestion of insects at the entrance to the cage, it was found that the final capture efficiency is better with the privacy screen according to the present invention than without it. This appeared surprising, because one might have expected that the difficulty of passage caused by the addition of the privacy screen could have deterred insects from entering the cage. However, this is not the case, on the contrary. Furthermore, the invention relates to a privacy screen as defined herein for a selective passage opening of a Hymenoptera capture cage.

[0026] The invention therefore relates to a privacy screen for a selective passage orifice of a hymenoptera capture cage according to the present invention comprising:

[0027] - a wall of suitable size and shape to cover said passage orifice with one of its surfaces;

[0028] - a means of offsetting the wall; and

[0029] - a means for attaching the privacy screen to said hymenoptera capture cage; characterized in that the wall offsetting means is adapted to offset said wall of the privacy screen to create a visual occultation of the orifice, seen from the inside of the cage opposite said orifice, and configured to allow the introduction of insects via the selective passage orifice into the capture cage.

[0030] Indeed, in one embodiment, the privacy screen alone is proposed as an additional accessory to a trap already in operation.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a funnel for a capture cage as described herein, said funnel ending on its thinnest side with a base having at least one selective passage orifice, the passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section calibrated to the thickness of the thorax of a hymenoptera, in particular on the thorax of a hymenoptera queen, preferably characterized in that a privacy screen is placed in front of said at least one selective passage orifice on the thinnest side of the funnel or in that said funnel comprises at least one means for receiving and / or fixing a privacy screen according to the invention.

[0032] Preferably, said at least one reception and / or fixing means is a mechanical means, for example selected from the list consisting of a depression, an opening, a clip, a rail, a notch, a press stud and a zipper.

[0033] In the context of the present invention, the term "funnel" means a trap system, or equivalent (e.g. in the shape of a funnel for pouring a liquid), making it possible to channel insects towards the entrance (passage orifice) in the capture cage. It can therefore theoretically be of any shape as long as it fulfills this function. Preferably, the funnel of the invention is of a generally truncated cone shape, for example of circular, oval or polygonal section such as a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a diamond, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon or even an octagon.

[0034] In fact, a user can thus acquire a funnel according to the present invention and manufacture the rest of the trap if he wishes.

[0035] Alternatively, a user already in possession of a trap according to the present invention may wish to replace parts of this trap to change the selectivity of the trap. Thus, an object of the present invention relates to a selective cage for capturing hymenoptera comprising a box having a bottom and at least three walls, at least two of which each have an opening for the circulation of effluvia, each opening for circulation of effluvia comprises a porous plate covering the opening for circulation of effluvia, said porous plate comprises a funnel-shaped section having a large base and a small base, the small base comprises at least one selective passage orifice and the small base is placed towards the inside of the capture cage, characterized in that said cage is configured to be modular, that is to say to comprise different replaceable and combinable modules, depending on the hymenoptera targeted.

[0036] Thus, the orifice(s) of the funnel of the replaceable base thereof can be calibrated to the thickness of the thorax of a specific species of hymenoptera, for example chosen from Vespa affinis, Vespa analis, Vespa basalis, Vespa bellicosa, Vespa bicolor, Vespa binghami, Vespa crabro, Vespa ducalis, Vespa dybowskii, Vespa fervida, Vespa fumida, Vespa luctuosa, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa mocsaryana, Vespa multimaculata, Vespa orientalis, Vespa philippinensis, Vespa simillima, Vespa sorror, Vespa tropica, Vespa velutina, Vespa vivax, preferably Vespa velutina, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa orientalis.

[0037] The advantage of such a capture cage is the possibility of quickly changing its selectivity by acquiring the modules necessary for modifying the capture cage. Preferably, it is envisaged to compartmentalize the capture cage according to the species targeted in each compartment, by providing at least one removable partition.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a funnel for a modular selective cage for capturing hymenoptera as described above, said funnel ending on its thinnest side with a base having at least one selective passage orifice, the selective passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section calibrated to the thickness of the thorax of a hymenoptera, in particular to the thorax of a hymenoptera queen, characterized in that at least one element of said funnel is configured to be removed and replaced by another element, for example the element is said base having at least one selective passage orifice. Thus, the funnel and / or said base are configured so that the base can be removed and replaced by another base having at least one selective passage orifice of different size and / or shape from the selective passage orifice previously in place.

[0039] Another object of the present invention relates to a kit for manufacturing a capture cage as described herein, characterized in that said kit comprises a funnel according to the invention and at least one of the following options:

[0040] - a box with a bottom;

[0041] - at least three walls, preferably four walls, at least two of which walls each have an opening for attaching a funnel as described above;

[0042] - a privacy screen according to the present invention;

[0043] - a cover; and / or

[0044] - means for making the capture cage modular, such as at least one reversible attachment means such as a slide for replacing at least one element of the capture cage by removing and replacing said element by sliding (for example the base of the funnel with the selective passage orifice) and / or at least one reversible clip or at least one reversible latch for securing at least temporarily said element in place.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Selective Hymenoptera Capture Cage and Funnel

[0047] Preferably, the selective cage for capturing hymenoptera according to the present invention is characterized in that said at least one selective passage orifice is calibrated on the thickness of the thorax of a species of hymenoptera, for example chosen from Vespa affinis, Vespa analis, Vespa basalis, Vespa bellicosa, Vespa bicolor, Vespa binghami, Vespa crabro, Vespa ducalis, Vespa dybowskii, Vespa fervida, Vespa fumida, Vespa luctuosa, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa mocsaryana, Vespa multimaculata, Vespa orientalis, Vespa philippinensis, Vespa simillima, Vespa sorror, Vespa tropica, Vespa velutina, Vespa vivax, preferably Vespa velutina, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa orientalis.

[0048] For example, in the case of a capture cage calibrated to capture a hornet such as the European or Asian hornet, the passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section with a dimension between 7.0 and 9.0 mm.

[0049] Preferably, in the case of a capture cage calibrated to capture a hornet of common size such as the European or Asian hornet, the passage orifice comprises at least one limiting passage section with a dimension greater than 7.0 mm and less than 8.7 mm, preferably less than 8.5 mm, more preferably less than 8.0 mm, even more preferably less than 7.5 mm, for example less than 7.23 mm.

[0050] More preferably, in the case of a capture cage calibrated to capture a hornet of common size such as the European or Asian hornet, the passage orifice comprises at least one limiting passage section with a dimension of between 7.1 and 8.0 mm, preferably between 7.15 and 7.5 mm, more preferably between 7.17 mm and 7.30 mm, even more preferably between 7.18 mm and 7.25 mm, for example between 7.19 mm and 7.23 mm, between 7.20 mm and 7.22 mm, such as 7.21 mm.

[0051] For example, in the case of a capture cage calibrated to capture a hornet of the largest known sizes such as the giant hornet "vespa velutina", the passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section with a dimension between 10.0 and 18.0 mm, more particularly between 12.0 and 16.0 mm.

[0052] Preferably, the modularity of the calibrated capture cage according to the present invention is achieved simply by adapting the cage so that it comprises at least one reversible attachment means, for example at least one slide to replace at least one element of the capture cage by removing and replacing said element by sliding and / or at least one clip or at least one latch to secure said element in place at least temporarily.

[0053] Preferably, the capture cage according to the present invention comprises at least one reversible attachment means for the base having at least one selective passage orifice.

[0054] Thus, in a particular embodiment, the capture cage is configured not to retain a species of insect other than a hymenoptera, such as a type of honey bee. For example, the cage is provided with at least one second type of orifice, with a limiting section smaller in size than said at least one selective passage orifice, and of a size large enough to allow the insect other than the hymenoptera, such as a type of honey bee, to pass through. The size of the insect other than a hymenoptera is necessarily smaller than that of said hymenoptera so that the cage can be selective (vis on the one hand the selective passage orifice and on the other hand said second type of orifice).In this context, a modular capture cage according to the present invention is particularly interesting because several species of hymenoptera, for example predators of the insect other than the hymenoptera, such as a type of honeybee, can be targeted at the same time (several selective passage orifices) or alternately over time. In such a case, a privacy screen according to the present invention is also of great use, because it makes it possible to limit the escapes of smaller hymenoptera through the larger selective passage orifices.

[0055] Preferably, the capture cage according to the present invention is characterized by the distance between the large base and the small base of the funnel being between 10 and 15 cm. In a particular embodiment, the height between the large base and the small base of the pyramid truncated shape is between 10 and 15 cm.

[0056] In one embodiment, the box has a removable cover (having the property of isolating the interior from the exterior at its level).

[0057] In one embodiment, the two walls each comprise an opening facing each other. In one embodiment, the bottom comprises at least one porous portion (such as a mesh portion) under which a bait is to be positioned.

[0058] In one embodiment, the porous plate (such as a mesh plate) comprises a rectangular-shaped flat portion having a length of between 11 and 20 cm and a width of between 7 and 15 cm.

[0059] Furthermore, the subject of the present invention relates to a funnel for a capture cage as described herein, said funnel ending on its thinnest side with a base having at least one selective passage orifice, characterized in that the passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section of between 7.0 and 9.0 mm, preferably 7.21 mm.

[0060] Furthermore, preferably, the capture cage according to the present invention comprises a device for killing hymenoptera, such as a poison or lethal agent enclosure, or at least a high voltage electric wire as is conventionally found in mosquito traps.

[0061] In one embodiment, the funnel is an integral part of the capture cage, and the funnel alone has the characteristics described above that are applicable to it.

[0062] Thus, preferably, the funnel according to the present invention is characterized in that the passage orifice has the shape of a rectangle and is calibrated, as explained above (i.e. the selective passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section calibrated to the thickness of the thorax of a hymenoptera). For example, the length is between 10 and 60 mm, and the width is between 7.0 and 18.0 mm.

[0063] More particularly, the length is between 10 and 30 mm, such as 20 mm, and the width is between 7.0 and 9.0 mm, such as 7.21 mm or between 30 and 60 mm, such as 40 mm, and the width is between 10.0 and 18.0 mm, such as 14 mm.

[0064] Preferably, the funnel according to the present invention comprises on at least one of its walls at least one orifice allowing at least one species of insect other than a hymenoptera, such as a type of honey bee, to escape from the capture cage. Thus, advantageously, in the capture cage according to the present invention, one of the replaced elements is the funnel. The funnel of the cage thus has both a base having at least one selective passage orifice, the selective passage orifice comprises at least one passage limiting section calibrated to the thickness of the thorax of a hymenoptera, and has (for example on at least one of the other walls of the funnel) a second type of orifice of limiting section smaller in size than said at least one selective passage orifice, and of a size large enough to allow the insect other than the hymenoptera to pass, such as a type of honey bee.

[0065] Thus, preferably, the funnel which is replaceable includes the features for selecting the species retained in the capture cage. The user thus preferentially uses the cage according to the present invention to target several species of insects, such as hymenoptera.

[0066] The addition of at least one privacy screen as presently defined makes it possible to increase selectivity by increasing the role of passage to the exterior of the second type(s) of orifice(s).

[0067] In a particular embodiment, the funnel according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a porous portion whose limiting passage section of the pores is smaller in size than the limiting passage section of the passage orifice.

[0068] In particular, the funnel as described herein is characterized in that said funnel has the shape of a truncated pyramid.

[0069] Privacy screen

[0070] As regards the privacy screen, this is adapted to be placed in the capture cage according to the present invention, and thus at the thin end of the funnel according to the present invention, opposite the selective passage orifice. The capture cage and the funnel are preferably provided with at least one privacy screen as described below.

[0071] Preferably, the privacy screen comprises at least one translucent material. More preferably, the privacy screen is made of a translucent material. Thus, the capture cage according to the present invention (as well as the funnel) is preferably characterized in that the privacy screen is made of a translucent material and / or that said capture cage is configured to be modular. Indeed, the translucent nature of the privacy screen makes escape from the capture cage more difficult: the light from the passage orifice no longer makes it possible to distinguish the physical separation of the privacy screen. It has been found that such a privacy screen made of translucent material increases the capture efficiency of Hymenoptera. The modularity of the capture cage as described above, in particular with regard to the base of the funnel comprising the selective passage orifice, makes it possible to quickly modify the capture cage to target particular insect species (Hymenoptera).

[0072] Preferably, the privacy screen according to the invention is configured to completely mask said at least one selective passage orifice. Thus, the capture cage according to the present invention (as well as the funnel) is preferentially characterized in that the privacy screen is configured to completely mask said at least one selective passage orifice. This prevents the light passing through said at least one selective passage orifice from indicating an exit passage to the captured insects.

[0073] Preferably, the privacy screen according to the present invention comprises at least two side walls. Thus, the capture cage according to the present invention (as well as the funnel) is preferentially characterized in that the privacy screen comprises at least two side walls. The side walls make it possible to restrict the entry passage into the capture cage, which limits the exit means.

[0074] Preferably, the privacy screen according to the present invention has a generally parallelepiped shape with an inlet orifice arranged so as to be aligned with the selective passage orifice and an outlet orifice arranged to communicate the selective passage orifice with the interior of the capture cage. Thus, the capture cage according to the present invention is preferentially characterized in that the privacy screen has a generally parallelepiped shape with an orifice arranged so as to be aligned with the selective passage orifice and an outlet orifice arranged to communicate the selective passage orifice with the interior of the capture cage. As with the addition of side walls, the parallelepiped shape makes it possible to restrict the entry passage into the capture cage, which limits the exit means.Preferably, the capture cage according to the present invention is characterized in that the outlet orifice is arranged on the privacy screen so as to face the bottom. Thus, when the capture cage is positioned so that its bottom is as close as possible to the ground or even in contact with the ground, the outlet orifice on the privacy screen is arranged so that in order to escape via this orifice, the hymenoptera are forced to rise vertically in the privacy screen, then pass through the selective passage orifice. It has been found that under these conditions none of the trapped targeted hymenoptera managed to escape.

[0075] Thus, in a particular embodiment, the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice in the privacy screen are arranged in planes perpendicular to each other.

[0076] In one of its embodiments, the invention relates to a privacy screen for a selective passage orifice of a hymenoptera capture cage according to the present invention comprising:

[0077] - a wall of suitable size and shape to cover said passage orifice with one of its surfaces;

[0078] - a means of offsetting the wall; and

[0079] - a means for attaching the privacy screen to said hymenoptera capture cage; characterized in that the wall offsetting means is adapted to offset said wall of the privacy screen to create a visual occultation of the orifice, seen from the inside of the cage opposite said orifice, and configured to allow the introduction of insects via the selective passage orifice into the capture cage.

[0080] Preferably, the privacy screen according to the present invention comprises a translucent material. Advantageously, the wall of size and shape adapted to cover with one of its surfaces said passage opening the privacy screen according to the present invention comprises a translucent material. More advantageously, the wall of size and shape adapted to cover with one of its surfaces said passage opening the privacy screen according to the present invention is made of a translucent material.

[0081] Advantageously, the wall offset means comprises a translucent material. More advantageously, the wall offset means is made of a translucent material. More preferably, the privacy screen according to the present invention is made of a translucent material.

[0082] Advantageously, the wall of size and shape adapted to cover said passage orifice with one of its surfaces, is configured to completely mask said at least one selective passage orifice.

[0083] Preferably, the wall offset means comprises at least two side walls.

[0084] In a particular embodiment, the privacy screen has a generally parallelepiped shape with an inlet orifice arranged so as to be aligned with the selective passage orifice and an outlet orifice arranged to communicate the selective passage orifice with the interior of the capture cage, when the privacy screen is placed on said capture cage.

[0085] Advantageously, the privacy screen comprises at least one fixing means adapted to attach it in front of said at least one selective passage orifice inside said selective capture cage.

[0086] Manufacturing kit

[0087] An object of the present invention relates to a kit for manufacturing a funnel as described above, characterized in that said kit comprises:

[0088] - a base with a passage hole as defined herein,

[0089] - at least three triangular pieces, preferably four triangular pieces, said triangular pieces being truncated at one of their ends,

[0090] - at least one means of fixing said base with said at least three triangular pieces at their truncated end, characterized in that said kit comprises:

[0091] - at least one reversible attachment means, for example at least one slide for replacing at least one element of said funnel by removing and replacing said element by sliding and / or at least one clip or at least one latch for securing at least temporarily said element in place. A base with a passage hole, a triangular piece may constitute for example such an element; and / or

[0092] - a privacy screen according to the present invention, as described above. Furthermore, an object of the present invention relates to a kit for a capture cage according to the present invention, characterized in that said kit comprises:

[0093] - a box with a bottom,

[0094] - at least three walls, preferably four walls, at least two of which each have an opening for attaching a funnel as described above,

[0095] - a funnel as described above, and

[0096] - a lid.

[0097] Usage

[0098] Another object of the present invention involves using a capture cage according to the present invention to capture at least one hymenopteran such as a bat, preferably a bat of one of the species selected from the list consisting of Vespa affinis, Vespa annalis, Vespa bascosa, Vespa bascosa bicolor, wasp binghami, wasp crabro, wasp ducalis, wasp dybowskii, wasp fervida, wasp fumida, wasp luctuosa, wasp mandarinia, wasp mocsaryana, wasp multispotted, wasp orientalis, wasp philippinensis, wasp silver, wasp sorrolicar, wasp sorromilica Wasp velutina, Wasp vivax, preferably Wasp velutina, Wasp mandarinia, Waspa orientalis.

[0099] Preferably, the invention relates to the use of a capture cage as described herein for capturing the species Vespa mandarinia or the species Vespa velutina (capture of queens: preventive use, and / or capture of workers: curative use). This use is preferentially characterized in that at least one bait is inserted into the capture cage, said at least one bait being optionally positioned and protected under a porous part, such as a mesh part. In this embodiment, the use is characterized in that said at least one bait is selected from the list consisting of honeyed waxes, red fruit syrup, dark beer, cider or sweet white wine saturated with sugars to which jam and / or honey can be added, or meat material, for example from fish, crustaceans or shellfish, or one of the mixtures thereof.An example of implementation of the capture cages, in particular on a honeybee hive(s) farm, consists of the capture cages being placed, for example, directly on one or more hives and / or at a distance from the hive(s). The type of bait used in the traps is preferably honey-based (in the form of honey wax cappings from honey extractions for the boxes - possibility of using honey frames for the hives). In the case of a capture cage intended to capture Asian hornets, the characteristics of the passage and selection orifices are then the same as those described in WO2019162893. The addition of the privacy screen according to the invention makes it possible to optimize the capture efficiency.

[0100] The present invention further relates to the use as described herein, characterized in that islands consisting of small sponges are inserted as diffusers of olfactory effluvia in the capture cage.

[0101] FIGURES

[0102] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0103] [Fig.1] Figure 1, represents a perspective view of a funnel with a privacy screen according to the present invention;

[0104] [Fig.2] Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the interior of a capture cage in which a parallelepiped-shaped privacy screen according to the present invention is placed on a funnel;

[0105] [Fig.3] Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the interior of a capture cage in which two parallelepiped-shaped privacy screens according to the present invention are respectively placed on two funnels;

[0106] [Fig.4] Figure 4 represents a perspective and sectional view of a privacy screen positioned on a porous funnel plate according to the present invention; and

[0107] [Fig.5] Figure 5 represents the elements of a kit for a truncated pyramid-shaped funnel according to the present invention. In Figure 1, there is shown in perspective a funnel 23 having a porous plate 21 allowing the circulation of effluvia, said porous plate 21 comprises a funnel section 23, in the shape of a truncated pyramid 213, having a large base and a small base, the small base comprises at least one selective passage orifice and the small base comprises a privacy screen 24.

[0108] The porous plate (such as a mesh plate) 21 is positioned normal to the longitudinal axis of the funnel 23 and allows the circulation of effluvia and a rapid exit of insects that one does not wish to capture, such as bees, without obstruction. The porous plate (such as a mesh plate) 21 comprises a flat part 211 of rectangular shape whose length is between 11 and 20 cm, for example 15 cm and the width is between 7 and 15 cm, for example 10 cm.

[0109] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the interior of a capture cage 20 according to the invention, comprising a funnel 23 with a privacy screen 24. Here the privacy screen 24 has a parallelepiped shape. The capture cage 20 comprises a bottom 201 and an opening 22. The funnel 23 is fixed (for example temporarily) on the opening 22 to cover it completely.

[0110] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the interior of a capture cage 20 according to the invention, comprising two funnels 23, one of which has a privacy screen 24. On the other funnel 23, without a privacy screen 24, it can be seen that the small base 212 comprises at least one selective passage orifice. A privacy screen 24 can be added to this funnel simply by sliding it onto the small base 212, as shown in Figure 5.

[0111] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of a funnel having a privacy screen 24. This privacy screen 24 is placed on the small base 212, which is fixed (possibly reversibly - not shown here) to a porous plate 21. The privacy screen 24 preferably comprises two side walls 25 and an upper wall 26. The privacy screen 24 is preferably of a generally parallelepiped shape with rounded corners (which prevents insects from easily holding onto it), and / or is preferably translucent.

[0112] Figure 5 represents the elements of a kit for a truncated pyramid-shaped funnel according to the present invention, particularly well suited to capturing Vespa velutina. Thus, in one embodiment this kit comprises a base with a rectangular passage orifice (212) of width L (here the limiting section can be 7.21 mm) and length L (for example 20 mm). Truncated triangular pieces linked to each other by attachment means (I), make it possible to define a funnel. The attachment means can be of the male or female type as shown, making it possible to attach (eg by reversible clips - not shown) to each other. The triangular piece preferably comprises male and / or female attachment means. The funnel is preferably inserted into a box to form a cage according to the present invention by attachment means (K).The box advantageously comprises a means of attachment complementary to the attachment (K), for example with a similar operation to the attachment (I). These truncated triangular pieces comprise a means of fixing the base, such as a notch (E). The base is here of generally rectangular shape, but can also be of another shape (triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.) depending on the number of truncated triangular pieces surrounding it. Preferably, the base is of generally rectangular shape, and requires 4 truncated triangular pieces to form the funnel (pyramidal truncated). The pores of the porous plate are here rectangles with rounded corners (here one whole side is rounded), the length of which is preferably 11 mm and the width is preferably 5 mm. Indeed, it has been observed that the exit of small insects is facilitated by such patterns.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A selective capture cage (20) for hymenoptera comprising a box having a base (201) and at least three walls, at least two of which each have an opening (22) for the circulation of effluvia, each effluvia circulation opening (22) having a porous plate (21) covering the effluvia circulation opening (22), said porous plate (21) having a funnel-shaped section having a large base and a small base, the small base comprising at least one selective passage orifice (212) and the small base being positioned towards the interior of the capture cage (20), characterized in that said selective capture cage (20) comprises a screen (24) positioned in front of said at least one selective passage orifice (212) inside said selective capture cage (20), the screen being adapted to create a visual occlusion of the orifice, as seen from inside the cage opposite said orifice,and configured to allow the introduction of insects through the selective passage opening into the capture cage.

2. Capture cage (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen (24) comprises at least one translucent material or is made of a translucent material and / or that said capture cage is configured to be modular.

3. Capture cage (20) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the screen (24) is configured to totally obscure said at least one selective passage orifice (212).

4. Capture cage (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the screen (24) comprises at least two side walls (25).

5. Capture cage (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the screen (24) has a general parallelepiped shape with an inlet orifice arranged so as to be aligned with the selective passage orifice (212) and an outlet orifice arranged to make the selective passage orifice (212) communicate with the interior of the capture cage (20).

6. Capture cage (20) according to claim 5 characterized in that the exit orifice is arranged on the screen (24) so ​​as to face the bottom (201).

7. Capture cage (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said at least one selective passage hole (212) is calibrated on the thickness of the thorax of a species of hymenoptera, for example chosen from Vespa affinis, Vespa analis, Vespa basalis, Vespa bellicosa, Vespa bicolor, Vespa binghami, Vespa crabro, Vespa ducalis, Vespa dybowskii, Vespa fervida, Vespa fervida fumida, Vespa luctuosa, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa mocsaryana, Vespa multimaculata, Vespa orientalis, Vespa philippinensis, Vespa simillima, Vespa sorror, Vespa tropica, Vespa velutina, Vespa vivax, preferably Vespa velutina, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa orientalis.

8. Screen (24) as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for a selective passage opening (212) of a hymenoptera capture cage (20).

9. A screen (24) for a selective passage opening (212) of a hymenoptera capture cage conforming to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising: - a wall of suitable size and shape to cover one of its surfaces said passage opening (212); - a means of offsetting the wall; - a means of fixing the screen (24) to said hymenoptera capture cage; and characterized in that the means of offsetting the wall is adapted to offset said screen wall to create a visual occlusion of the orifice, seen from inside the cage opposite said orifice, and configured to allow the introduction of insects via the selective passage orifice into the capture cage.

10. Privacy screen (24) according to claim 9 characterized in that it is made of a translucent material.

11. Privacy screen (24) according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the wall is configured to totally mask said at least one selective passage opening (212).

12. Privacy screen (24) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 characterized in that the means for offsetting the wall comprises at least two side walls (25).

13. Privacy screen (24) according to any one of claims 9 to 12 characterized in that said privacy screen (24) has a general parallelepiped shape with an inlet orifice arranged so as to be aligned with the selective passage orifice (212) and an outlet orifice arranged to make the selective passage orifice (212) communicate with the interior of the capture cage (20).

14. Privacy screen (24) according to any one of claims 9 to 13 characterized in that it comprises at least one suitable fastening means for attaching it in front of said at least one selective passage opening (212) inside said selective capture cage (20).

15. Funnel for capture cage (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said funnel terminating on its thinnest side with a base having at least one selective passage orifice (212), said passage orifice (212) comprising at least one limiting passage section calibrated to the thickness of the thorax of a hymenopteran, in particular to the thorax of a hymenopteran queen, characterized in that a screen is placed in front of said at least one selective passage orifice on the thinnest side of the funnel or in that said funnel comprises at least one means for receiving and / or fixing a screen conforming to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. Funnel according to claim 15 characterized in that said at least one receiving and / or fixing means is a mechanical means for example selected from the list consisting of a depression, an opening, a clip, a rail, a notch, a snap button and a zipper.

17. Kit for manufacturing a capture cage according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said kit comprises a funnel according to claim 15 or 16 and a screen (24) according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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