Selective capture device for hornets (vespa velutina) with unidirectional mechanical inlets.
The selective capture device with unidirectional mechanical entrances and protective grid addresses inefficiencies in existing traps by enhancing capture reliability and reducing non-target insect harm.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FOURMENT FREDERIC
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing hornet traps are inefficient due to open calibrated entrances allowing escape and insufficient exit holes, leading to reduced capture effectiveness and harm to non-target insects, while baits are ineffective and vulnerable to water ingress.
A selective capture device with unidirectional mechanical entrances featuring a lever mechanism to block hornet exits and a protective grid over the bait, ensuring effective capture and preventing non-target insect harm.
Enhances capture efficiency by preventing hornet escape and protecting baits from water, thereby improving the reliability of queen hornet capture and minimizing harm to non-target insects.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Selective capture device for Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) with unidirectional mechanical entrances. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention belongs to the category of devices for capturing harmful insects, such as the Asian hornet, and is specifically designed to trap queen hornets. Its main objective is to prevent the formation of hornet nests and thus limit the destruction of defenseless bee colonies. By targeting queen hornets, this device offers a preventive and targeted approach to controlling hornet populations, thereby reducing risks to bees and preserving the ecological balance. This innovation improves the reliability of queen hornet capture and represents a significant advance in the protection of bee populations and the preservation of biodiversity. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in the prior art that the Asian hornet, native to Southeast Asia, was detected in France before 2005. Its introduction into the country appears to have been accidental, probably during the transport of Chinese pottery. Since its discovery, it has spread rapidly, now covering approximately 70% of French territory, and its spread is becoming exponential.
[0003] The Asian hornet is distinguished by its imposing nests, which can reach up to 1 meter in height and 70 cm in width. It is known to be a formidable predator of honeybees, causing significant losses in beekeeping. In addition to its impact on biodiversity, its aggressive nature and propensity to nest virtually anywhere pose risks to human health, raising concerns as it continues to spread across the country and beyond its borders. In the autumn, the queen produces reproductive females called queens. After mating, the queens disperse and enter diapause until the following spring. The colony declines with the death of the queen in late autumn.
[0004] From mid-February, when temperatures rise above 13°C, queen hornets emerge from hibernation to forage and begin establishing new colonies. They build the nest, lay eggs, and care for the first larvae. Until May, the queen is essential to the survival of her colony.
[0005] It is therefore between February and May, the opportune time to install traps in order to capture the founding queens and thus prevent the formation of colonies.
[0006] To combat Asian hornets, the setting of traps is recommended; it consists of attracting the hornets into these traps using attractive substances.
[0007] These traps are equipped with calibrated entrances designed to capture only hornets, but the drawback of these entrances is that they are open to any passage; hornets can easily escape from the trap through a calibrated entrance, nothing prevents them from doing so, and this can compromise the effectiveness of the capture. As an illustration, we can see calibrated entrances that are open in the drawings of KR20200052703A, CN112385627A, CN108347912A and FR2539954A1.
[0008] These traps are also equipped with exit holes, which are designed to be selective in size so as to capture only hornets. However, the drawback is that these exit holes are too few in number or sometimes nonexistent in certain traps, which can pose a problem for non-target insects that may remain in the trap and die. As an illustration, we can see these drawbacks in the drawings of FR2298947A1, FR2676161A1, FR2539954A1 and WO2022129662A1.
[0009] To attract hornets into traps, an attractive bait is used; these baits are often made of alcohol and sugar. We have observed several drawbacks: all the insects consume the bait, and especially non-target insects likely die from the alcohol and drown in the bait, which reduces the overall effectiveness of the bait.
[0010] In case of rain, water seepage into the traps may compromise the integrity of the bait. Brief description of the drawings
[0011] The attached drawings illustrate the invention:
[0012] [Fig. 1] shows, in perspective view, the assembled capture device (11)
[0013] [Fig.2] represents, in exploded view perspective, the different elements constituting the capture device (11)
[0014] [Fig.3] shows in detail the cover (2) with the lever (5) in the hook (6) resting in the notches (7).
[0015] [Fig. 4] shows, in cross-section, a hornet in front of one of the calibrated inlets (3) of the cover (2) with the lever (5) in the rest position
[0016] [Fig.5] represents in cross-sectional view, a hornet during its passage through one of the calibrated inlets (3) of the cover (2) with the lever (5) actuated by its passage.
[0017] [Fig.6] represents in cross-sectional view, a hornet after its passage through one of the calibrated inlets (3) of the cover (2) with the lever (5) in the rest position. List of reference signs:
[0018] 1: Cell
[0019] 2: Cover
[0020] 3: Calibrated input
[0021] 4: Calibrated outputs
[0022] 5: Lever
[0023] 6: hook
[0024] 7: Notches
[0025] 8: bait container
[0026] 9: protective grille
[0027] 10: swivel handle
[0028] 11: Capture device GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention relates to a selective capture device (11) for hornets (vespa velutina) with unidirectional mechanical entrances, intended to correct the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0030] The selective hornet (Vespa Velutina) capture device (11) according to the invention comprises a cell (1)
[0031] with calibrated outlets (4), a bait container (8) equipped with a protective grid (9), and at least one cover (2) comprising calibrated outlets (4) characterized in that the capture device (11) comprises at least one calibrated inlet (3) equipped with a lever (5) mechanically blocking the exit of hornets from the inside to the outside of the device (11) through this calibrated inlet (3).
[0032] At least one calibrated inlet (3) can be arranged on one of the walls of the cell (1) or on a wall of at least one of the lids (2).
[0033] The drawings present a preferred embodiment of the invention:
[0034] It relates to a capture device (11), comprising a cell (1) with calibrated outlets (4), a bait container (8) equipped with a protective grid (9), and two lids (2) comprising calibrated inlets (3) and calibrated outlets (4), the capture device (11) is equipped at least with a lever (5) on at least one calibrated inlet (3) of the lids (2) mechanically blocking the exit of the hornets from the inside to the outside of the cell (1) through the calibrated inlets (3).
[0035] When a hornet is attracted by the bait and positions itself in front of one of the calibrated entrances (3), it is observed that a lever (5) placed in front of a calibrated entrance (3) does not impede its passage into the cell (1), thus facilitating its capture. The hornet can pivot a lever (5) in a hook (6), and once the lever (5) is no longer in contact with the hornet, the latter can fall back by gravity into the notches (7). The advantage of the lever (5) is that it offers the possibility of permanently blocking the hornet's exit, thus making its capture more effective.
[0036] The capture cell (1) is preferably hexagonal in shape and, being 152 mm long and 85 mm wide, may be made of a plastic material in processes known as injection molding, 3D printing, laser cutting, or punching. It may have calibrated exit holes (4) on three sides. The total surface area of the calibrated exit holes (4) may represent 50% or more of the capture device (11). These holes may be grooved and preferably have a height of 5 to 7 mm and a length of 10 to 30 mm, allowing the exit of non-target insects and also the possibility of trapping hornets due to their larger size. Its thickness is preferably 1 to 2 mm.
[0037] The bait container (8) is preferably rectangular, with a length equivalent to that of the cell (1) and a height of 30 to 40 mm. It can be made of plastic and molded by injection or thermoforming. It can contain liquid or solid baits. It can allow the diffusion of the attractant substance over 360° and is preferably equipped with a protective grid (9) that can prevent insects from consuming the bait or falling into it and drowning. It is preferably positioned and secured in the center of the cell (1) to provide balance to the capture device (11).
[0038] The lid (2) is preferably hexagonal in shape, with a width of 80 to 100 mm, a height of 10 to 20 mm and a thickness of 1 to 2 mm. It can be made of plastic by injection molding or 3D printing.
[0039] It may have at least one calibrated inlet (3), in the shape of a truncated cone, with the small base oriented towards the inside of the cell (1).
[0040] It can also have calibrated outlets (4), preferably to cover the maximum surface area and offer a large escape zone for non-target insects.
[0041] It may also have a hook (6) which can allow the lever (5) to pivot.
[0042] The swivel handle (10), preferably made of steel, round in shape and with a diameter of 4 mm, formed by bending, can be housed on the top of the lids (2), allowing transport away from the capture device (11), it has in its center a U-shaped bend which serves to suspend the capture device (11).
[0043] The capture device (11) could also be adapted to other harmful insects if they have the strength to push the lever (5) in order to enter the cell (1).
[0044] The capture device (11) can be placed on a horizontal surface or hung at a height using the swiveling handle (10).
[0045] Furthermore, the lever (5) may have one or more of the following features:
[0046] - may allow a pivoting movement in the hook (6) inwards of the cell (1) of the capture device (11).
[0047] - can be made of a metallic material, preferably stainless.
[0048] - the lever (5) can rest in the notches (7) so as not to have any movement of translation.
[0049] - the lever (5) may have a length equal to or greater than the diameter of an inlet calibrated (3).
[0050] - the pivoting movement of the lever (5) can be actuated by a hornet and can return in its vertical position by gravity.
[0051] - the lever (5) and the hook (6) offer the possibility of being adaptable to other traps using calibrated inputs (3), which can improve the efficiency of various capture devices.
[0052] The capture device (11) can be assembled as follows:
[0053] The lever (5) is inserted into the hook (6), the hook (6) is inserted into the cover (2), a fold is made at the end of the hook (6) so that it is attached to the lid (2) these operations are repeated for the opposite lid (2).
[0054] The 2 lids (2) can be inserted on each side of the cell (1) so that the calibrated inlets (3) of the lids (2) are inside the cell (1).
[0055] The bait container (8) can be placed in the cell (1)
[0056] The cell (1) can be closed in the shape of a hexagon.
[0057] The swivel handle (10) can also be placed in the lids (2).
Claims
Demands
1. A selective capture device (11) for hornets (Vespa Velutina), comprising a cell (1) with calibrated outlets (4), a bait container (8) equipped with a protective grid (9), and at least one cover (2) comprising calibrated outlets (4), characterized in that the capture device (11) comprises at least one calibrated inlet (3) equipped with a lever (5) mechanically blocking the exit of hornets from the inside to the outside of the device (11) through this calibrated inlet (3).
2. Capture device (11) according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises two covers (2) of which at least one comprises a calibrated inlet (3).
3. Capture device (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lever (5) performs a pivoting movement in a hook (6) towards the inside of the cell (1) of the capture device (11).
4. Capture device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lever (5) is made of a metallic material.
5. Capture device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lever (5) rests in notches (7) so as not to have translational movement.
6. Capture device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lever (5) is removable.
7. 7) Capture device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lever (5) is of a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the calibrated inlet (3).