Modular and miniaturized selective capture device for Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) queen hornets

Abstract

The invention relates to a selective, modular, and miniaturized trapping device for Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) queens, specifically designed for spring trapping when the queens emerge from diapause. This trap is compact, efficient, economical, and suitable for simplified production, particularly through 3D printing. The device consists of two identical modular parts that snap together by inverting, facilitating mass production and reducing manufacturing costs. Each modular part includes: a perforated pyramidal entrance for selectively capturing queens and allowing non-target insects to escape, a watertight bait compartment protected by an anti-drowning grid, and interlocking fins ensuring the stability and robustness of the assembly. The miniaturized design optimizes practicality and reduces the amount of material required for production. The device can be placed on a surface or suspended.The invention is the ideal tool for limiting the proliferation of Asian hornets from the beginning of their life cycle. Figure for the abstract: Figure 7.

Description

Title of the invention: Modular and miniaturized selective capture device for Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) queen hornets. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a low-cost, miniaturized, modular selective trapping device for capturing Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) queens in the spring in order to prevent them from beginning their life cycle and the construction of their first nests, while limiting the impact on other non-target insects through various selectivity techniques that primarily target Vespa velutina queens and release the majority of other insects. This device is used in the fight against the Asian hornet Vespa velutina and more specifically in the field of spring trapping. State of the art

[0002] The capture of Vespa velutina queens is an aspect of the fight against the development of the Asian hornet. Capturing queens requires traps specifically designed for this caste, which differs from Vespa velutina workers in size and behavior—differences rarely incorporated into commercially available traps.

[0003] Spring trapping relies on setting up a large number of traps, approximately 10 per km², which necessitates their selective nature. The selectivity of Asian hornet traps is generally ineffective and / or makes the traps expensive.

[0004] The number of traps required for effective spring trapping limits the feasibility of trapping due to the high cost of the traps. The price of the trap is a determining and problematic factor, and commercially available traps do not meet the triple challenge of selectivity, effectiveness, and low cost.

[0005] Most Asian hornet traps were designed to catch hornets during the attack period, which is between mid-August and mid-November. This results in bulky traps with an excessively high selling price, which are not useful for trapping queens in small numbers and do not target queens precisely.

[0006] In general, the selectivity of traps is not optimal due to the time it takes for non-target insects to emerge, as they can become sterile during this period. It is therefore necessary to accelerate the emergence time of non-target insects.

[0007] Lowering the production cost of a capture device requires simplifying its production and use. Market traps are often complex and consist of numerous parts to assemble. Detailed description

[0008] The invention aims to address all the problems raised by the implementation of spring trapping through the development of a device combining the best current selectivity techniques with the smallest possible size, the best possible efficiency and the greatest simplicity of production and use. a. The device is miniaturized to reduce the quantity necessary for its production. b. The device is in the form of a short opaque tunnel to limit the time of presence of non-target insects and improve the attractiveness of Asian hornet queens. c. The device has two opposing horizontal inlets / outlets to improve the attractiveness of Asian hornet queens, reduce the heating of the internal air and the bait compartment, facilitate the exit of non-target insects and improve the attractiveness related to the diffusion of bait odors. d. The device is designed with two identical parts that are simple to produce and assemble in order to reduce production costs and enable mass production or production using 3D printing technology. e. The device can be placed on a surface or suspended, making it convenient to use in different circumstances.

[0009] The invention is a device for capturing Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) queen queens (20) consisting of two identical parts (10) fitted one inside the other by reversing and specifically designed for spring trapping, when Asian hornet queen queens emerge from diapause. The device is constructed as follows: a. Two identical modular cylindrical parts (10) with a maximum diameter of 80mm and a maximum length of 75mm that fit together by flipping them over using a system of quarter-cylinder-shaped fins (5) slightly larger than the size of the main cylinder, facilitating manufacturing and assembly and making production possible by 3D printing technology. b. The modular part (10) is partially closed on one side and open on the other and consists of a pyramidal entrance (2) on its partially closed side, a bait compartment (4) in the lower part, an anti-drowning grid (6) and two interlocking fins (5). It may be made of opaque and waterproof material. c. The pyramidal inlet (2) has a large empty base with a maximum side length of 50 mm and is perforated with holes with a maximum height of 5.5 mm and a length The opening is a maximum of 10 mm on all four sides, allowing the escape of insects not targeted by the capture device. The small base of the pyramid (3) is a round hole, minimum 8 mm and maximum 9 mm in diameter, allowing the passage of Vespa velutina queen wasps, excluding all larger insects. This pyramidal shape has a minimum length of 50 mm and a maximum length of 60 mm, creating an angle between the faces and the large base that prevents the Vespa velutina queen wasps from escaping. This opening is oriented so that the large hollow base is positioned on the partially closed part of the cylinder of the component (10), and the small round base is oriented towards the inside of the component. d. The bait compartment (4) is located in the lower part of the unit and is covered by an anti-drowning grid (6) with holes less than 2 mm in diameter, which can cover the entire surface of the grid. The bait compartment is watertight and designed to hold a liquid bait attractive to Vespa velutina queens. The anti-drowning grid (6) can partially cover the bait compartment when the device is open (i.e., when the two parts are not nested together ([Fig. 4])) and completely cover the bait compartment when the device is closed (i.e., when the two parts are nested together ([Fig. 5])). When the device is closed, the insects can no longer drown, thus improving the selectivity of the device. e. The modular piece may be provided with two parallelepiped-shaped stabilizing feet (7) ensuring the stability of the device when placed and may be provided with a perforated protrusion (1) on the top allowing the cylinder to be suspended by a string. f. The device, by its interlocking, inverted design, features opposing pyramidal entrances, which improves selectivity by shortening the time non-target insects remain inside the trap. This helps maintain their health and facilitates their exit by diffusing light only through the entrances / exits. This configuration also allows for better air circulation, reducing the risk of internal overheating, which could otherwise lead to sterility in some non-target insects. Furthermore, it enhances the attractiveness of Vespa velutina queen wasps, which are drawn to the presence of light at the bottom of the device. Brief description of the figures

[0010] The figures represent an embodiment according to claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 a. Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of the tubular module of the device. a. Figure 2 shows the internal front view of the tubular module b. Figure 3 shows the side view of the tubular module c. Figure 4 represents the entire open device in side view formed by two identical modules. d. Fig. 5 represents the entire closed device in side view formed by two identical interlocking modules ready to be placed or suspended. e. Fig. 6 represents the entire open device in perspective view formed by two identical nested modules. f. Fig. 7 represents the entire closed device in perspective view. by two identical interlocking modules ready to be placed or hung. Nomenclature

[0011] 20 Capture device for Asian hornet (VESPA VELUTINA) queen

[0012] 10 Modular part 1 Rounded suspension hook 2 Selective pyramid entry 3 Founder's entrance hole Vespa velutina 4. Watertight compartment for liquid bait 5 Interlocking fins 6 Partially overlapping anti-drowning grid 7 Stabilizing Feet

Claims

Demands

1. A capture device for Asian hornet queens Vespa velutina (20) consisting of two identical, watertight, cylindrical modular pieces (10) that fit together by reversing with the aid of quarter-cylinder-shaped fins (5) slightly wider than the main cylinder, allowing the device to be assembled by interlocking; Each modular piece consisting of a perforated pyramidal entrance (2) with its small base oriented inwards, allowing the capture of Vespa velutina queens, a bait compartment (4) protected by a partially overlapping anti-drowning grid (6) that prevents the insects from drowning and equipped with two stabilizing feet (7) for stable use when the device is placed, and a rounded suspension hook (1) to allow the device to be used suspended.This device facilitates mass production or 3D printing thanks to its simple and identical modular interlocking system (10). The opaque material allows insects to escape by letting light in only through the selective pyramidal opening (2) of the modular parts (1).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pyramidal entrance (2) has a large base of 50 mm on each side, perforated with holes 5.5 mm high and 10 mm long on its four faces, allowing the exit of non-target insects and a small base formed by a round hole of 8 mm minimum diameter and 9 mm maximum diameter, dimensioned to allow the selective entry of Vespa velutina foundresses and a length of 50 mm forming an angle preventing the exit of Vespa velutina foundresses once entered.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the selective pyramidal inlets (2) are arranged in opposite ways, allowing better diffusion of the bait odors through optimized air circulation, a reduction in the time of presence of non-target insects, a reduction in internal heating and the risks of sterility for non-target insects.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the modular parts (10) are made of opaque material in order to limit the 6 times of presence of non-target insects and improve the attractiveness of Asian hornet queens.

5. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the dimensions of the modular part do not exceed 80mm in diameter and 75mm in length in order to limit the time of presence of non-target insects and reduce the cost of production.