MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST PALM TREE PESTS

Abstract

MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST PALM TREE PESTS Net (100) for protecting a palm tree against palm tree pests, said device being intended to cover a palm tree extending longitudinally and having a crown of diameter D, a trunk, and a height h, said height h comprising the height of the trunk and that of the crown of said palm tree, said mechanical protection net being characterized in that it comprises a number n of polygonal panels (110), said panels being sewn together on at least one side of an adjacent polygonal panel, a closure means (130) arranged on at least one polygonal panel, said closure means extending over at least a portion of said panel, and an upper cap (140) connecting the upper ends of said polygonal panels, said cap being intended to be arranged at the level of the crown of said palm tree. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: MECHANICAL PROTECTION DEVICE AGAINST PALM TREE PESTS 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 are 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 trunk (palm trunk), primarily on the upper part of the trunk, at the junction between the trunk and the fronds. The eggs hatch into caterpillars after an average incubation period of 12 to 14 days, which can extend up to one month in cool weather. The caterpillars then insidiously burrow galleries several tens of centimeters long inside the trunk, which they clean daily, expelling their excrement.

[0006] On certain vigorous palm trees (Phoenix canariensis), the complete cycle of a butterfly - from egg-laying to the emergence of a butterfly from the chrysalis - can take place on a single palm frond.

[0007] The caterpillars dig galleries in the trunk or in the new leaves before attacking the heart of the palm tree to feed on it.

[0008] 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.

[0009] The death of the palm tree is thus all the more rapid when the palm-eating caterpillars proliferating inside it are numerous.

[0010] Other insect pests can also affect palm trees, one of the best known of which is Rynchophorus ferrugineus, also called the red palm weevil.

[0011] To combat these pest insects, there are currently three main means of control: mechanical, chemical and biological.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] Furthermore, sanitation through more or less severe pruning and the removal of infested tissue by excavating the galleries when the palm tree is affected can be carried out. However, this method remains time-consuming and requires great precision to avoid killing the palm tree.

[0015] 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 that it is poorly suited to palm trees 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 unrolled above the plants to be protected, which is not suitable for a palm tree.

[0016] More generally, mechanical protection nets for fruit trees do not allow adaptation to the growth and particular shape of the palm tree; these known devices tend to compress the tree and are designed for trees with branching limbs and not for palm fronds.

[0017] 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 development of a potential infestation. Nets for bagging fruit are also unsuitable because the mesh is too fine and smooth, meaning the net is only suitable for bunches and not for the entire tree.

[0018] 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 with respect to insects and harm biodiversity. These products are facing increasing restrictions due to their impacts on human health and biodiversity, as they affect many non-target species.

[0019] Finally, biological means consist essentially of the use of entomophagous fungi (Beauveria bassiand) or microscopic worms also entomophagous (Nematodes of the Steinemema carpocapsae type).

[0020] 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 at regular intervals, depending on the product, from April to October. 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

[0021] 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.

[0022] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a removable and reusable mechanical protection device.

[0023] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device providing a windbreak effect and resistant to tearing.

[0024] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, an aesthetic, high-quality and simple-to-manufacture mechanical protection device.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a mechanical protection device with a repellent effect.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a preventive mechanical protection device acting as a trap against the P. archon butterfly.

[0029] The invention also aims to provide a protective net that reduces the cost of the material used.

[0030] The invention also aims to provide a net that does not compress the palm tree. Description of the invention

[0031] To this end, the invention relates to a mechanical protective net for a palm tree against palm tree pests, said device being intended to cover a palm tree extending longitudinally and having a crown of diameter D, a trunk, and a height h, said height h comprising the height of the trunk and that of the crown of said palm tree, said mechanical protective net being characterized in that it comprises: - a number n of polygonal sheets extending longitudinally and having at least four sides, n being an integer greater than or equal to 2, said polygonal sheets also having a first diagonal whose length L1 is defined by the following relation [Math 1]:

[0032] [Math.l] h£Ll<2h

[0033] and a second diagonal, whose length L2 is defined by the following relation [Math 2]:

[0034] [Math.2] TQ _ DYjT — n

[0035] said sheets being sewn together on at least one side of an adjacent polygonal sheet; - a closing means arranged on at least one polygonal sheet, said closing means extending over at least a portion of said sheet; - an upper cap connecting the upper ends of said polygonal sheets, said cap being intended to be arranged at the level of the toupus of said palm tree.

[0036] Throughout the text, the term "top of the palm tree" is defined as the topmost foliage of the palm tree, that is to say the leafy part of the latter, including the fronds or other pinnate leaves.

[0037] Throughout the text, "stipe" means the trunk of the palm tree, which is a false trunk in the botanical sense of the term.

[0038] Throughout this text, "polygonal sheets" refers to sections of netting with a polygonal shape. Furthermore, the polygonal shape is that of a regular polygon of the quadrilateral type, preferably a parallelogram or a rhombus. Quadrilateral is understood to mean the general shape of a polygonal sheet without truncation.

[0039] When the tablecloth is truncated, it can have more than four sides.

[0040] Throughout the following text, the term "truncation" is defined as a cutting or folding line intended to cut or fold a vertex of a polygonal sheet.

[0041] The specific assembly of at least two polygonal layers sewn together thus provides better resistance to abrasion, tearing, and various mechanical stresses caused, among other things, by the morphology of palm trees. Indeed, palm species such as Rhapidophyllum hystrix or Trithrinax campestris can be covered with thorns, and it is necessary to have a protective net resistant to these varieties.

[0042] In addition, the net according to the invention makes it possible to adapt perfectly to the different shapes and sizes of palm trees thanks to the particular dimensions of the sheets made from the measurements of said palm tree.

[0043] This makes it possible on the one hand to avoid the waste of material needed to make the net unlike known bagging techniques, and on the other hand to respect the growth and foliage of the palm tree by avoiding the simple packaging or wrapping of the latter.

[0044] Indeed, the invention also makes it possible to apply only one thickness of net, preventing the multiplication of layers between the palm tree and the environment, which gives less shade on the fronds and a more aesthetic appearance.

[0045] The upper cap is an integral part of the net, giving it an ideal shape to conform to the shape of the palm tree. Furthermore, the upper cap is attached to each of the polygonal layers of said net.

[0046] The length L1 is between 1m and 20m, particularly between 1m and 15m, and more particularly between 2m and 10m.

[0047] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net further comprises a peripheral strip including tightening means configured to tighten said mechanical protection net said palm tree, said peripheral strip being arranged on the lower ends of said polygonal sheets.

[0048] The peripheral band is a band intended to surround all or part of the diameter of the trunk once the net is installed on the tree.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, said band further includes eyelets or loops and the tightening means is an elastic cable, or any other equivalent means allowing adjustment and locking of the position and tightening of said cord.

[0050] In addition, these means may also include cord-block type devices, elastic means such as tension cables, etc.

[0051] Thus, according to the invention, the peripheral strip secures the net to a lower portion of the stipe in order to capture the moths emerging in the upper part of the stipe. The peripheral strip and the tightening means ensure an airtight seal against P. archon at the level of the stipe.

[0052] Advantageously and according to the invention, each polygonal sheet has a top vertex SI truncated by a truncation T1 and a bottom vertex S2 truncated by a truncation T2, said bottom vertex S2 and top vertex SI being opposite and truncated transversely by the respective truncations T1 and T2.

[0053] Thus and according to the invention, the net benefits from a more rounded shape when placed on the palm tree, thus limiting the compression of the fronds.

[0054] Advantageously and according to the invention, the truncation Tl has a length LT1 between 0.15Ll and 0.30Ll, LT1 representing the length from a higher vertex SI and perpendicular to the truncation Tl.

[0055] By perpendicular to the truncation Tl we mean perpendicular to the line of the truncation Tl.

[0056] Advantageously and according to the invention, the truncation T2 has a length LT2 between 0.10L1 and 0.20L1, LT2 representing the length from a lower vertex S2 and perpendicular to the truncation T2.

[0057] By perpendicular to the truncation T2 we mean perpendicular to the line of the truncation T2.

[0058] Advantageously and according to the invention, said upper cap connects each polygonal sheet at the level of a truncation Tl and that it has sides of length equivalent to that of said truncation Tl.

[0059] Thus and according to the invention, the cap is shaped to the said polygonal sheets and the net can be placed on the tree without compressing the fronds.

[0060] Advantageously, said net does not form a point and provides the tree with ease for the development of the fronds.

[0061] Advantageously and according to the invention, the polygonal sheets are made of polyolefins.

[0062] Preferably, the polygonal sheets of said net are chosen from polyethylenes.

[0063] Thus and according to the invention, the net is rot-proof and benefits from better resistance to weathering and climatic conditions.

[0064] Advantageously and according to the invention, each polygonal table comprises a mesh with a side size between 3mm and 12mm.

[0065] In a preferred variant, the mesh is between 5mm and 10mm on a side, preferably 5.5mm on a side.

[0066] Thus and according to the invention, the net makes it possible to specifically prevent the females of the P. archon butterfly from laying their eggs on the palm tree, these females in fact exhibit sexual dimorphism at maturity which gives them a larger size than the males, generally greater than 10mm.

[0067] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net comprises an average weight of between 10g / m2 and 150g / m2, preferably greater than 90g / m2.

[0068] Advantageously and according to the invention, the net comprises a polyolefin impregnated with conifer essential oil.

[0069] Conifer essential oil refers more particularly to pine and fir essential oils such as Pinus Sylvestris or Abies balsamea, but is not limited to them.

[0070] This impregnation can be carried out by techniques known to a person skilled in the art, in particular by impregnating the polymer fibers with the essential oil.

[0071] Thus, according to the invention, the invention makes it possible to combine a repellent effect with the mechanical barrier of the net. More particularly, the essential oil of Pine or Fir makes it possible to specifically target the palm weevil P. archon.

[0072] In addition, the net may have polygonal sheets of a length greater than that of the palm tree so as to be able to be fixed to the ground by means of an anchoring means associated with the peripheral strip such as, for example, metal stakes. List of figures

[0073] 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] schematically represents a polygonal sheet according to a mode of realization of the invention. • [Fig.3] schematically represents a possible pattern for making of a net according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0074] Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0075] In the figures, the scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0076] In the detailed description that follows with reference to the figures, unless otherwise indicated, each element of the protective net according to the invention is described as it is arranged during its use. Furthermore, the embodiment described below relates to a protective net against the P. archon moth.

[0077] Identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references in all figures.

[0078] Figs. 1, 2 and 3 relate to the same embodiment of the net for a palm tree whose crown diameter D is 200cm and whose height h is 160cm.

[0079] With regard to [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2], the protective net 100 comprises a plurality of polygonal sheets 110 sewn together from at least two sides of an adjacent polygonal sheet 110. In addition, the net preferably comprises five polygonal sheets 100 visible in [Fig. 3].

[0080] The protective net 100 further comprises an upper cap 140, having substantially a regular pentagonal shape and sewn to each polygonal layer 110 at a truncation TL. The cap 140 thus connects the upper ends of each of the polygonal layers 110 and is made from the same material as that used for the manufacture of said layers 110. The material chosen for the layers 110 and the cap 140 is polyethylene.

[0081] The net 100 further comprises a peripheral band 150 having eyelets and a drawstring as shown in [Fig. 1]. Said band 150 is sewn onto the lower ends of each of the polygonal layers 110 of said net 100 and is intended to encircle the diameter of the palm trunk once the net is laid and tightened.

[0082] The net 100 further comprises a closure means 130 such as a zipper connecting at least one respective side of two adjacent polygonal sheets. Notwithstanding other means known to those skilled in the art, the zipper allows a user to open and close the net to facilitate inspection and monitoring of the palm tree once the net 100 has been installed on it. The zipper thus extends longitudinally between two adjacent polygonal sheets and forms a reversible and supplementary connection to the seam.

[0083] The protective net 100 comprises a plurality of polygonal layers whose polyethylene fibers are woven according to techniques known to those skilled in the art. The net has a 5.5 mm square mesh, and its design prevents female P. archon moths from laying eggs on the palm tree once the net 100 is installed. The manufacturing and assembly of the layers 110 forming the net 100 result in a net whose shape is specifically designed for installation on a palm tree.

[0084] In the described embodiment, the polygonal sheets 110 have a general shape of a quadrilateral of the type of parallelogram truncated at two vertices and have diagonals perpendicular to each other. This parallelogram shape will be better understood with regard to [Fig. 2].

[0085] Figure 2 illustrates in more detail the design of a polygonal tablecloth 110 in the shape of a parallelogram truncated at two vertices. This tablecloth 110 has two diagonals 111 and 112, having lengths L1 of 260 cm and L2 of 125 cm respectively.

[0086] Two transverse truncations T1 and T2 are made by a cut respectively at the level of a higher vertex SI and a lower vertex S2.

[0087] The length LT1 of the truncation T1 is proportional to the length L1 of the diagonal 111. The same applies to the truncation T2, whose length LT2 is proportional to the length L1 of the diagonal 111. In the illustrated example, LT1 has a length of approximately 50 cm, or about 0.2 times the length L1 of the diagonal 111, and LT2 has a length of approximately 30 cm, or about 0.12 times the length L1 of the diagonal 111. Once the truncations T1 and T2 have been performed, the sheet 110 thus has truncated transverse ends, indicated by dashed lines in [Fig. 2]. The sheet 110 therefore has six sides after the truncations T1 and T2 have been performed. Furthermore, the sheets 110 thus have a length L1 of 180 cm after truncation.

[0088] The lengths LT1 and LT2 correspond respectively to the height of a segment originating from the vertices SI and S2 and perpendicular to the line of the respective truncations T1 and T2.

[0089] The upper cap is then sewn at the truncations Tl of each of the polygonal sheets 110 of the net 100.

[0090] The peripheral strip 150 is then sewn at the truncation T2 of the lower ends of said polygonal sheets.

[0091] Figure 3 shows the pattern of the net 100 according to the described embodiment. For clarity, the strip and the mesh are not shown in this figure. Furthermore, the sheets 110a and 100b comprise the two parts of a zipper forming the closure means 130 and are intended to be sewn together.

[0092] The upper cap 140 is intended to connect the upper end of each polygonal sheet 110 and has shaped sides of equivalent length to that of the truncation line TL

[0093] In a commonly preferred embodiment, the net 100 comprises five polygonal sheets 110 and the upper cap 140 is a regular pentagon whose sides have a length equivalent to that of a truncation T1, i.e., the length of the cutting line of the truncation TL

Claims

Demands

1. A mechanical protective net (100) for a palm tree against palm tree pests, said device being intended to cover a palm tree extending longitudinally and having a crown of diameter D, a trunk, and a height h, said height h comprising the height of the trunk and that of the crown of said palm tree, said mechanical protective net being characterized in that it comprises: • a number n of polygonal sheets (110) extending longitudinally and having at least four sides, n being an integer greater than or equal to 2, said polygonal sheets further having a first diagonal (111) whose length L1 is defined by the following relation [Math 1]: [Math.1] h <Ll<2h et une deuxième diagonale (112), dont la longueur L2 est définie par la relation [Math 2] suivante : [Math.2] L2 = said sheets (110) being sewn together on at least one side of an adjacent polygonal sheet; • a closure means (130) arranged on at least one polygonal sheet, said closure means extending over at least a portion of said sheet; • an upper cap (140) connecting the upper ends of said polygonal sheets, said cap being intended to be arranged at the level of the toupus of said palm tree.

2. Net according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a peripheral strip (150) comprising clamping means configured to tighten said mechanical protection net to said palm tree, said peripheral strip being arranged on the lower ends of said polygonal sheets.

3. Net according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each polygonal sheet (110) has an upper vertex SI truncated by a truncation T1 and a lower vertex S2 truncated by a truncation T2, said lower vertex S2 and upper vertex S1 being opposite and truncated transversely by the respective truncations T2 and T1.

4. Net according to claim 3, characterized in that said upper cap connects each polygonal sheet at the level of a truncation Tl and that it has sides of length equivalent to that of said truncation Tl.

5. Net according to claim 4, characterized in that the truncation Tl has a length LT1 between 0.15Ll and 0.30Ll, LT1 representing the length from a higher vertex SI and perpendicular to the truncation Tl.

6. Net according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the truncation T2 has a length LT2 between 0.10L1 and 0.20L1, LT2 representing the length from a lower vertex S2 and perpendicular to the truncation T2.

7. Net according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polygonal plies (110) are made of polyolefins.

8. Net according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each polygonal sheet (110) comprises a mesh size between 3mm and 12mm on each side.

9. Net according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fibers impregnated with conifer essential oil.

10. Net according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure means (130) is a zipper.

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