Aerial trapping device for insect pests

Abstract

A device for trapping a targeted insect comprising a lower portion (30) having a central axis (Z), the lower portion being in the form of a reservoir, in which the insects are collected and trapped, an upper portion (20) adapted to cover the lower portion, at least one opening (22, 26) through which the targeted insect enters and falls into the lower portion, the opening being in the form of a slit whose lower and upper edges are separated by a distance adapted to the dimensions of the targeted insect, a means for containing a substance attractive to the targeted insect, the means being aligned with the central axis (Z).According to the main characteristics of the invention, the upper part (20) comprises a cylindrical side wall (23) in which the opening (22, 26) is inscribed, a flat part (24) of annular or substantially annular shape extending towards the outside of the trapping device and situated around the side wall in such a way that the upper face of the flat part is situated in the same plane as the lower edge of the opening (22, 26). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Aerial trapping device for insects pest

[0001] — The present invention relates to the technical field of fixed devices for attracting and trap insects and in particular relates to an aerial trapping device for insect pest. State of the art

[0002] There are a number of insect species that are considered pests and called phytophagous insect pests that cause damage to plants and affect their aerial or underground organs. A pest insect is sometimes a non- newly introduced and accidentally imported endemic that will proliferate in due to the absence of predators and parasites. This is the case of the red palm weevil palm tree, called Rynchophorus Ferrugineus, a very destructive pest of palm trees and date palms. Indeed, this species is a beetle introduced into France in 2006 as part of international trade, through the transport of contaminated plants which then colonized all Mediterranean territories. The biological cycle of the red palm weevil is done discreetly inside the host plant and is therefore difficult to identify. The first characteristic visual signs observable after several months are very rarely enough to save an attacked palm tree. The best way to fight against the ravages of the red palm weevil is therefore to eliminate it before the female lays her approximately 300 eggs in the palm tree.

[0003] — The red palm weevil has a very sensitive sense of smell and is attracted by the odor emanating palm trees in the form of interspecific semiochemicals and by a pheromone. It is therefore logical to combat them using olfactory traps. There are traps olfactory containing pheromones consisting of a first lower part under form of an insect receiving bowl filled with a viscous liquid so that that insects that fall into it cannot escape. The lower part is surmounted by an upper part in the form of a cover, the trap being also provided with a means for placing the volatile molecule diffuser bottle at- tractives. The two parts being assembled in a removable manner and in such a way as to leave a space between them in the form of a slit of sufficient width to allow pass the targeted insects. The lower part of the trapping device is buried in the ground in a hole made so as to be flush with the ground. The diffuser bottle volatile attractive molecules such as pheromones are then placed on its support and the upper part of the trapping device is placed on the in- inferior. The disadvantages of such a device are that the device can be vandalized or simply accidentally overturned by an animal or a person. On the other hand, maintenance of the device, which includes emptying the bowl from the lower part, requires removing the lower part from the ground and may require redoing the hole in which it is housed. In addition, insects crawling on the ground and not targeted may fall into the trap, which represents a risk of eliminating endemic insects. There is also a hanging trap that has a central part consisting of a set of funnels hung vertically to each other and above each other in order to direct an insect that falls into one of the funnels towards the center of the trap and down into the lower part of the trap in the form of a container intended to contain the trapped insects. An upper part such as a lid covers the entrance to the funnels so that rainwater does not fall into the trap.Among the disadvantages of this device, there is its imposing size, its suspension fixing system which limits the types of compatible supports, causing oscillation under the effect of the wind and therefore an instability unfavorable to the approach phase of the targeted insect, phenomenon accentuated by the fact that the cover obstructs the passage for the arrival of an insect from the top which in fact does not have any flat area allowing it to land easily, the insect having to arrive directly in one of the funnels to be trapped and then carried towards the lower part. Furthermore, any type of insect that lands on the oblique walls of the funnels and slides down will be irremediably directed towards the lower part from which it will not be able to escape, whether it is attracted by the semiochemicals it contains or not. Description of the invention The present invention aims to overcome the defects of the prior art presented above by providing a stable trapping device designed to be placed above ground level on any type of support, having a flat surface so that the targeted insect can easily land there before heading, attracted by an attractive substance, towards a part of the device from which it will not be able to escape. The subject of the invention is therefore a device for trapping a targeted insect comprising a lower part having a central axis, the lower part being in the form of a reservoir in which the insects are collected and trapped, an upper part adapted to cover the lower part, at least one opening through which the targeted insect enters and falls into the lower part, the opening being in the form of a slot whose lower and upper edges are separated by a distance adapted to the dimensions of the targeted insect, a means for containing a substance attractive to the targeted insect, the means being aligned with the central axis. According to the main characteristics of the invention, the upper part comprises a cylindrical side wall in which the opening is inscribed, a flat portion of annular or substantially annular shape extending outwards from the trapping device and situated around the side wall such that the upper face of the flat portion is situated in the same plane as the lower edge of the opening. According to other advantageous non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination: the flat part has the shape of a crown whose surface is between two non-concentric circles, a first circle defined by said wall cylindrical side having as its center the central axis and a second larger circle larger than the first, whose center is offset from the center of the first circle towards the front of the trapping device. The upper part has three openings, a central opening and two side openings so that the openings describe part of a cylinder around the central Z axis. The lower part includes a housing for receiving an at- attractive to the target insect, the housing being centered on the central axis. A fixing means comprising at least one fixing plate, integral from the upper part and located opposite the central opening with respect to the central axis, the plate being adapted to be pressed against a support on to which the trapping device is fixed, and located in a perpendicular plane on the plane of the flat part and preferably protruding on either side of this one along the central axis, the surface of the parts of the plate protruding towards the bottom being greater than the surface of the parts of the plate protruding towards the high. The fixing means comprises three fixing plates, the plates of fixing being non-contiguous and defining an arc of a circle shape whose center passes through an axis parallel to the central axis, the space between the plates being sufficient to be able to insert at least one suitable clamping means to attach around a support in order to fix the device trapping. The opening is central, describes a part of a cylinder around the axis central, has a horizontal slot shape and is located at the front of the device such that the widest part of the flat part is located in front the central opening. A removable collection basket having a shape of revolution around the central Z axis and adapted to fit into the lower part, comprising on its bottom a central hole surrounded by a centered cylindrical wall on the central axis and large enough for the housing to be content inside and orifices. The lower part cooperates with the upper part thanks to ribs forming screw threads which engage with ribs forming screw threads complementary to those of the lower part and located on the inner wall of the upper part. The lower part has on its outer surface a means of fixing such as secondary ribs forming a screw thread for fixing a additional element. The lower part is made of a translucent or transparent material. Another object of the present invention relates to the use of such a device for the protection of palm trees and / or date palms against insect pests such as the red palm weevil. Brief description of the figures The aims, objects and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description made with reference to the drawings in which: [Fig.1] represents a perspective view of the device according to the invention, [Fig.2] represents an exploded view of the device according to the invention, [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of a recovery basket of the device according to the invention, [Fig.4] represents a top view of the device according to the invention, [Fig.5a] and [Fig.5b] represent two rear views of the device according to the invention, [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of the device according to the invention in place on a support. Detailed description of the invention According to [Fig. 1], the trapping device 10 according to the invention comprises a lower part 30 in the form of a reservoir in which the insects are collected and trapped and an upper part 20 substantially in the form of a hat of a shape adapted to cover the lower part. The two parts 20 and 30 are adapted to cooperate with each other and to assemble in a removable manner. The upper part 20 comprises a 21, a side wall 23 and a flat part 24 similar to the edge of the hat. The side wall 23 delimits at least one opening 22, 26 through which the targeted insects enter the trapping device. The lower part 30, the cap 21 and the side wall 23 have a shape of revolution around a central axis Z shown in [Fig. 2].The trapping device also comprises a fixing means 50 located on the rear of the device and comprising fixing plates 51 and 52 integral with the upper part 20 and adapted to fix the trapping device to a support such as a mast, a post or the like. The details of the fixing means 50 are described further. far. Preferably, the upper part 20 has three openings, a central opening 22 and two lateral openings 26 located in the side wall 23 of the upper part 20 so that the openings describe a part of a cylinder around the central axis Z. As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the side wall 23 in which the openings 22 and 26 are inscribed supports the disc-shaped cap 21. The width of the side wall portion 23 located between the central opening 22 and the lateral openings 26 is less than the width of the side wall portion 23 located between the two lateral openings 26. The openings are thus dimensioned to be directed mainly towards the front and to the sides of the trapping device. The width of the side wall portions must be interpreted as the distance taken between the two openings which it separates and according to a plane perpendicular to the Z axis.The openings 22 and 26 are in the form of horizontal slits whose lower and upper edges are separated by a distance adapted to the size of the target insect. For the red palm weevil, this distance is between 1.8 cm and 2.2 cm. The trapping device 10 comprises a planar portion 24 of annular or substantially annular shape extending outwardly from the trapping device around the side wall 23 such that the planar portion serves as a landing ground for the targeted insects. Since the device according to the invention is designed to be located high up, large flying insects such as red weevils can land on this planar portion forming a landing platform before entering the openings of the trapping device and being collected and trapped in the lower portion 30 which may contain a fatty suffocating liquid. The upper face of the planar portion 24 is located in the same plane as the lower edge of the openings 22 and 26.This has the effect of presenting an opening in the trapping device in continuity with the flat surface on which the insect lands so that it does not encounter any obstacle to overcome which might make it want to turn around. The lower part 30 cooperates with the upper part 20 by means of ribs 33 forming screw threads which engage with ribs forming screw threads complementary to those of the lower part and located on the internal wall (not visible) of the upper part 20. The trapping device 10 comprises a housing 32 preferably located in the lower part 30 and adapted to receive an attractive substance such as a semiochemical for the targeted insect in the form, for example, of a diffuser bottle, the housing 32 being centered on the central axis Z so that the diffusion is uniform in the trapping device. Preferably, the trapping device comprises a removable recovery basket 40 having a shape of revolution around the central axis Z and adapted to come insert into the lower part 30, The recovery basket 40 has on its bottom a central hole surrounded by a cylindrical wall 42 centered on the central axis Z and large enough for the housing 32 to be contained therein. The recovery basket also includes on its bottom orifices 44 in the form of slots for example passing through the lower wall of the recovery basket, the orifices 44 being sized so that a targeted insect does not pass through but so that the fatty suffocation liquid can drain to the bottom of the lower part 30, which avoids having to change this liquid each time it is emptied. The recovery basket 40 has a shape complementary to that of the lower part 30 so that when it is fitted therein, its lower external wall is against the lower internal wall of the lower part 30.To remove the collection basket from the lower part, simply slide it upwards without requiring the operator to come into contact with insects and the fatty suffocating liquid. According to [Fig.4] illustrating the trapping device seen from above, it can be seen that the surface of the flat part 24 is more extensive towards the front of the trapping device in the opposite direction to the fixing means 50. This makes it possible to have the widest part of the flat part 24 located in front of the central opening 22 and therefore a more extensive surface of the flat part in front of the central opening 22, therefore at the front of the device, than in front of the lateral openings. Indeed, the trapping device 10 being fixed to a support thanks to its fixing means 50, the targeted insect must go around the support to reach the trapping device, it is therefore more advantageous to define a larger surface at the front of the device than at the rear where the fixing means 50 is located. The fixing means 50 is therefore located opposite the central opening 22 relative to the central axis (Z).Preferably, the side openings 26 do not extend to the rear of the device so that the attractive substance diffuses mainly at the front of the device and on the sides of the device. The central opening 22 is wider than the side openings 26 in order to favor the diffusion of the attractive substance at the front of the device and also the reception of the targeted insects at the front of the device. If the trapping device has only one opening, it would be the central opening 22. Indeed, the central opening 22 is the most essential opening of the device since it is located in front of the widest flat part and at the front of the device. According to a preferred embodiment, the flat part 24 has the shape of a crown whose surface is between two non-concentric circles, a first circle defined by the wall of revolution 23 having as its center the central axis Z and a second circle larger than the first whose center O is offset relative to the center of the first circle towards the front of the trapping device. The crown shape of the flat part 24 is truncated at the rear of the device by the fixing means 50. From this In this way, the widest part of the crown is located at the front of the device so that it is as accessible as possible and the targeted insect can land on it easily. As can be seen in Figures 4, 5a and 5b, the fixing means 50 comprises at least one plate 51 or 52 adapted to be pressed against the support on which it is desired to fix the trapping device. The fixing plates are preferably located in planes perpendicular to the plane of the flat part and preferably protruding on either side of it along the central axis Z, the surface area of ​​the parts of the plates protruding downwards being greater than the surface area of ​​the parts of the plates protruding upwards. This distribution makes it possible to better distribute the forces on the fixing means when the trapping device becomes heavier. A central fixing plate 51 is surrounded by two side plates 52. The three fixing plates are not contiguous and define an arc-shaped shape whose center passes through an axis parallel to the central axis Z. The space between the plates is sufficient to allow at least one clamping means 53, 54 to be inserted therein, adapted to be attached around a support in order to fix the trapping device. The clamping means is a clamp, a strap or any other suitable means. The support on which the trapping device is fixed is an existing post such as a signpost or a lamppost or a mast provided specifically for this purpose, for example when it is an installation near or within a palm grove. On a large support, or a large diameter when it is cylindrical in shape, the clamping means 53, 54 is inserted behind the central fixing plate 51 and behind the lateral fixing plates 52 as illustrated in [Fig.5a]. On a small support, or a small diameter when it is cylindrical in shape, the clamping means 53, 54 is inserted into the space between the plates so as to pass behind the central fixing plate 51 and in front of the lateral fixing plates 52 as illustrated in [Fig.5b]. The three fixing plates make it possible to adapt the fixing of the device to different sizes of the support to ensure correct and solid fixing. The fastening means 50 may comprise more fastening plates, all spaced apart from each other so as to be able to adapt the fastening of the device to more sizes of fastening support. In all configurations, the fastening plates are spaced apart from each other by a distance which allows for the insertion of a band or a clamp. The fastening plates are connected and secured to the upper part 20 by a reinforcement piece 55 located between the plates and the upper part. When the trapping device is fixed on its support as illustrated in [Fig.6], it is at a distance from the ground preferably between 2 m and 4 m and fixed such that the flat part 24 is horizontal or substantially horizontal. In this way, it is protected from vandalism, trampling and any disturbance that may occur at ground level. Advantageously, the trapping device according to the invention is placed with maximum stability above ground level at a height deemed most suitable and on any type of existing support without prior modification. The example in [Fig.6] shows a support in the form of a mast which can be any type of cylindrical support or not located near an area of ​​palm or date trees to be protected. On the other hand, by being aerial, the trapping device is more ventilated and is not subject to the heat of the ground which tends to overheat the device and alter the effectiveness of the attractive substance. To be operational, the trapping device must contain the attractive substance placed in its housing 32. The lower part 30 is preferably half-filled with a fatty suffocation liquid so that the collected insects do not come out of the device and die in a few seconds without unnecessary suffering. The recovery basket 40 being placed inside the lower part 30, the latter is screwed to the upper part 20. Advantageously, the filling, emptying and maintenance of the trapping device can be carried out without uninstalling the upper part 20, the fixing means 50 of the trapping device on its support being integral with the upper part 20. When the trap is operational, the targeted insect, attracted by the odor of the attractant substance diffused outside the device through the openings 22 and 26, lands on the flat part 24, advances towards the opening 22 or one of the openings 22, 26 before passing through and falling into the lower part 30. As explained previously, to empty the trapping device, it is sufficient to open it by unscrewing the lower part, then remove and empty the collection basket. The fatty liquid remains at the bottom of the lower part thanks to the orifices 44 at the bottom of the collection basket and can thus be reused. The lower part 30 can be made from a translucent or transparent material so that it can be checked whether the trapping device needs to be emptied without having to open it. According to an alternative embodiment, the lower part comprises on its outer surface a means for fixing an additional element such as a means for cooling the trapping device. Indeed, when it is a question of protecting crops in a country where it is very hot, the temperature of the attractive substance can rise to the point of rendering the substance inoperative or of causing it to evaporate very quickly. The fixing means can consist of secondary ribs 37 forming screw threads adapted to cooperate with complementary screw threads located on the additional element. The mc to cool the trapping device is for example a fan.

Claims

Claims

1. A device (10) for trapping a targeted insect comprising an in- lower part (30) having as its central axis (Z), said lower part being in the form of a reservoir in which the insects are collected and trapped, an upper part (20) adapted to cover said in- part lower, at least one opening (22, 26) through which the targeted insect enters and falls into the lower part, said at least one opening being in the form of a slit whose lower and upper edges are separated by a distance adapted to the dimensions of the targeted insect, a means for containing a substance attractive to the target insect, the said means being aligned on the central axis (Z), Characterized in that the upper part (20) comprises a wall cylindrical side (23) in which said at least one is inscribed opening (22, 26), a flat part (24) of annular or sens- possibly annular extending outwardly from the trapping device and located around said side wall such that the su- upper part of the flat part is located in the same plane as the edge lower than said at least one opening.

2. Device according to claim 1, in which the planar part (24) has the shape of a crown whose surface is between two circles non-concentric, a first circle defined by said cy- side wall lindric having as its center the central axis (Z) and a second circle more larger than the first, whose center is offset from the center of the first circle towards the front of the trapping device.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper part (20) has three openings, a central opening (22) and two ou- side openings (26) so that the openings describe a part of a cylinder around the central axis (Z).

4. Device according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the part lower comprises a housing (32) for receiving an at- attractive to the targeted insect, said housing being centered on the central axis {Z).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, provided with a means of fixing (50) comprising at least one fixing plate (51), said fixing means being integral with the upper part (20) and located at the opposite of the central opening (22) with respect to the central axis (Z), said at least one plate being adapted to be pressed against a support on which the trapping device is fixed, and located in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the flat part and preferably protruding on either side of it along the central axis (Z), the surface parts of said at least one downwardly projecting plate being su- above the surface of the parts of said at least one plate protruding upwards.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said securing means comprises three fixing plates (51, 52), the fixing plates being non-contiguous and defining an arc of a circle shape whose center passes through an axis parallel to the central axis (Z), the space between the plates being sufficient to be able to insert at least one clamping means (53, 54) suitable for attaching around a support in order to fix the trapping device.

7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, in which said at at least one opening (22) is central, describes a part of a cylinder around the central axis (Z), has a horizontal slit shape and is located at the front of the device so that the widest part of the part plane (24) is located in front of the central opening (22).

8. Device according to claim 4 or according to one of claims 5 to '7 when dependent on claim 4, comprising a basket of re- removable cover having a shape of revolution around the axis central (Z) and adapted to fit into said lower part, said recovery basket having a central hole on its bottom surrounded by a cylindrical wall (42) centered on the central axis (Z) and suf- sufficiently large so that the housing (32) can be contained within and orifices (44).

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the in- lower part (30) cooperates with the upper part (20) thanks to ribs (33) forming screw threads which engage with ribs forming screw threads complementary to those of the lower part and located on the internal wall of said upper part.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the in- lower (30) has on its outer surface a fixing means such that secondary ribs (37) forming a screw thread to fix an additional element.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the in- lower (30) is made of a translucent or transparent material.

12. Use of a trapping device (10) according to one of the claims indications 1 to 11, for the protection of palm trees and / or N from insect pests such as the red palm weevil.