MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST PALM TREE PESTS AND ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Abstract

MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST PALM TREE PESTS AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD The invention relates to a mechanical protection device against palm tree pests intended to be placed on a palm tree comprising a canopy, a trunk and having a longitudinal direction, said device being characterized in that it comprises a polyolefin net extending coaxially around the palm tree once placed on the latter, said net having an upper cap extending over the canopy and a peripheral hem extending at least a portion of the trunk of said palm tree, said net comprising at least: A sheet having a mesh size between 2mm and 20 mm on each side, A closure means sewn onto at least a portion of said sheet, A fastening means attached to the textile hem.

Description

Title of the invention: MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST INSECT PESTS OF PALM TREES AND ITS MANUFACTURE METHOD. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention lies in the field of non-chemical control of palm tree pest insects.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanical protection device, such as a protective net, for controlling palm tree pests such as the Paysandisia archon moth, and a method for manufacturing said net. Technological background

[0003] During the 1990s, with exports of palm trees taken from South America, the Paysandisia archon butterfly was accidentally introduced into Spain before colonizing other European countries such as France and Italy.

[0004] The butterfly thus spreads in Europe both by natural dispersal with the flight of adult butterflies and with the transport of infested palm trees.

[0005] Several studies have demonstrated that the damage and destruction caused were due to the caterpillar of P. archon. Indeed, the moth's life cycle begins with the laying of eggs by a female near the young fronds, on the surface of the stipe (palm trunk). The eggs hatch into caterpillars after an average incubation period of 12 to 14 days, which can last up to one month in cool weather. The caterpillars then insidiously burrow galleries several tens of centimeters long inside the stipe, which they clean daily, expelling their excrement. On some vigorous palm trees (Phoenix canariensis), the complete life cycle of a butterfly - from egg-laying to the emergence of a butterfly from the chrysalis - can take place on a single palm frond.

[0006] The caterpillars dig galleries in the trunk or in the new leaves before attacking the heart of the palm tree to feed on it.

[0007] The young caterpillar thus bores into a trunk or a frond and develops mainly during the autumn and spring. The characteristic and observable damage may include the following: presence of sawdust at the base of the crown or trunk, nibbled and / or perforated leaves, bud deformation, apical deviation, drying out of the tree, etc.

[0008] The death of the palm tree is thus all the more rapid when the palm-eating caterpillars proliferating inside it are numerous.

[0009] Other insect pests can also affect palm trees, one of the best known of which is Rynchophorus ferrugineus, also called the red palm weevil.

[0010] To combat these pest insects, there are currently three main means of control: mechanical, chemical and biological.

[0011] Among the mechanical control methods, there are physical barrier control methods including flexible coatings or glues to be sprayed on the upper part of the palm tree, in order to make it difficult for palm tree pests to lay their eggs; however, and to reduce costs, sanitary pruning of the palm tree is often necessary, which has the effect of amplifying the attractive effect of the palm tree towards the P. archon butterfly because of the release of kairomones.

[0012] We also find, in a more classic way, the hunting of butterflies, with a tool of the fishing net type, during the hottest hours of the summer - it requires having an eye, time, dexterity and palm trees at human height and constitutes a laborious and trying technique.

[0013] Furthermore, sanitation through more or less severe pruning and the removal of infested tissues can be carried out when the palm tree is affected. However, this method remains time-consuming and requires great precision to avoid killing the palm tree.

[0014] The use of winter fleece or hail nets is possible, but this is ineffective for several reasons. First, the active period of the P. archon moth is summer, which coincides with the palm's peak growth. Applying winter fleece during this period can alter the climate under the fronds (higher humidity, maceration, etc.), which can cause various problems for the tree. Furthermore, winter fleece does not allow for proper photosynthesis and is therefore detrimental to the palm during the summer. Another drawback of winter fleece is its airtightness; such fleece is designed for single use and cannot be reused as needed.Hail nets, on the other hand, do not have a mesh size suitable for insect pests; moreover, the installation of a hail net does not allow for a three-dimensional shape encompassing the entire palm tree; such a net is unfurled above the plants to be protected, which is not possible for a palm tree.

[0015] Regarding bagging techniques, the use of nets or winter covers to wrap the tops of palm trees is known, but they are not satisfactory because they cause an increase in temperature and often present significant resistance to the palm's growth. Furthermore, access to the palm trunk for inspection is greatly hindered or even impossible, making it impossible to observe the progression of a potential infestation. Nets for bagging the Fruits are also unsuitable, as the mesh remains too fine and smooth so that the net is only suitable for bunches and not for the whole tree.

[0016] The most common chemical methods include the use of insecticides such as neonicotinoids. The best known, imidacloprid, remains widely used by Spanish and Italian palm exporters. Furthermore, these chemicals are often not very selective on insects and harm biodiversity. These products are facing increasing constraints due to their impacts on human health and biodiversity, as they affect many non-target species.

[0017] Finally, biological means consist essentially of the use of entomophagous fungi (Beauveria bassiand) or microscopic worms also entomophagous (Nematodes of the Steinemema carpocapsae type).

[0018] Although effective, these products are complicated to apply, are subject to leaching by rainwater, and require multiple applications over time. These methods are also very expensive, and the heart of the palm trees must be treated once a month, from April to October. As for nematodes, their conditions of use (particularly a limited temperature range) render them ineffective in July and August, the period most conducive to egg-laying. Objectives of the invention

[0019] The invention aims to provide an effective, durable and optimized mechanical protection device against palm tree pests and more particularly against the P. archon butterfly.

[0020] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a removable and reusable mechanical protection device.

[0021] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device providing a windbreak effect and resistant to tearing.

[0022] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, an aesthetic, high-quality and simple-to-manufacture mechanical protection device.

[0023] The invention aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, an easy-to-use palm tree protection device.

[0024] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device with an improved and optimized fixing means for palm trees.

[0025] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device with a repellent effect.

[0026] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device that does not hinder the growth of the palm tree.

[0027] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device impermeable to P. archon.

[0028] The invention also aims to provide a method for manufacturing the aforementioned protective device and its use against the P. Archon butterfly. Description of the invention

[0029] To this end, the invention relates to a mechanical protection device against palm tree insect pests intended to be placed on a palm tree comprising a canopy and a trunk and having a longitudinal direction, said device being characterized in that it comprises a polyolefin net extending coaxially around the palm tree once placed on the latter, said net having an upper cap extending over the canopy and a peripheral hem extending over at least a portion of the trunk of said palm tree, said net comprising at least: - A tablecloth with a mesh size between 2mm and 20mm on each side, - A means of closure sewn onto at least a portion of said tablecloth, - A means of securing the textile hem.

[0030] Advantageously and according to the invention, the polyolefin of the net is chosen from polyethylenes.

[0031] Thus and according to the invention, the protective device provides better resistance to UV and is rot-proof.

[0032] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net comprises a plurality of layers sewn together.

[0033] Thus and according to the invention, the device exhibits better resistance to mechanical stresses (tearing, abrasion).

[0034] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net comprises five parallelogram-shaped sheets sewn together.

[0035] Thus and according to the invention, the net perfectly conforms to the shape of the palm tree.

[0036] Advantageously and according to the invention, the sheets have a mesh size of between 5mm and 10mm on each side.

[0037] Thus and according to the invention, the net makes it possible to offer a better compromise between shade and protection against pests.

[0038] Advantageously and according to the invention, the closing means is a zipper.

[0039] Thus and according to the invention, the protective device allows rapid access to the inside of the space delimited by said net.

[0040] Advantageously and according to the invention, the zippers extend along a sheet of said net between said upper cap and the peripheral hem.

[0041] Thus and according to the invention, the installation and removal of the protective device are facilitated and optimized for palm trees.

[0042] Advantageously and according to the invention, the means of fixing the peripheral hem together comprises eyelets and a tightening strap arranged in the eyelets.

[0043] In addition, these means may also include cord-block type devices, elastic means such as tension cables, etc.

[0044] Thus and according to the invention, the protection device makes it possible to guarantee the solidity of the net on a lower portion of the trunk while allowing the leaves to spread out, in addition, the device makes it possible to preserve the aesthetic appearance despite the apparent protection of the "envelope".

[0045] In one variant, the net comprises fibers of different colors and preferably of black color.

[0046] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net comprises an average weight of between 10g / m2 and 150g / m2, preferably greater than 90g / m2.

[0047] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net comprises a polyolefin impregnated with conifer essential oil.

[0048] Thus and according to the invention, the device allows mechanical protection while being associated with a repellent effect against pests.

[0049] In addition, the protective device may include a hem configured to extend peripherally to the ground around the tree in the manner of a cylinder and includes means for fixing to the ground by means of fasteners such as metal stakes.

[0050] In addition, the protection device may include elastic means enabling it to extend along the extension of the tree to be protected.

[0051] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a protective net comprising a plurality of layers against palm tree insect pests, said method comprising the following steps: - Measuring the diameter of the top - Measuring the height of the top - Each tablecloth is cut in a specific parallelogram shape - Special cut of the lower and upper parts of the parallelogram

[0052] The device and manufacturing process will be better understood through the figures and diagrams of the invention. List of figures

[0053] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the accompanying figures in which: • [Fig.1] represents an overview of the protection device according to an embodiment of the invention when the latter is installed on a palm tree. • [Fig.2] represents a schematic top view of the device once installed on the canopy of a palm tree. • [Fig.3] schematically represents the cross-section of a parallelogram-shaped sheet according to one embodiment of the invention. • [Fig.4] represents a schematic shape of the upper cap of the protective device according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0054] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

Claims

Demands

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Images