Biodegradable insect traps

Abstract

A biodegradable insect trap is provided that includes a substrate having a first surface, an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate first surface, and an insect attractant. The substrate may be comprised of either (1) a polymer web, which in turn is comprised of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, or (2) a paperboard web, which has a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer being comprised of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate. In accordance with the present disclosure, the adhesive is also comprised of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 244,285, filed September 15, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to insect traps. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to insect traps formed from biodegradable materials. [Background technology]

[0003] Insect traps are commonly used in residential and commercial environments. Insect traps are also used in agricultural environments, particularly for pest control, and are used on both large-scale commercial farms and small-scale personal gardens. In each setting, insect traps are typically made from persistent, non-biodegradable materials. Insect traps will also typically contain insecticides that may be harmful to humans and / or crops.

[0004] Consequently, in agriculture, used insect traps must be removed from fields before the fields can be tilled for use, and similarly, used insect traps must eventually be removed from residential and commercial spaces.

[0005] In view of this, it would be desirable to eliminate this step of removing used insect traps by providing insect traps that do not require removal and instead can simply be tilled into the soil. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a biodegradable insect trap. In one embodiment, the insect trap comprises a substrate having a first surface, an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate first surface, and an insect attractant.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the substrate can be comprised of either (1) a polymer web, which is consequently comprised of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, or (2) a paperboard web, which has a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer being comprised of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate. According to the present disclosure, the adhesive is also comprised of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0008] The structural configuration of the trap may vary according to the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the substrate is preferably comprised of an elongated sheet suspended from an overhead support. In other embodiments, the substrate is preferably shaped into an enclosure for capturing insects. In some embodiments, the substrate is preferably shaped into a box for capturing insects, with the substrate first surface being disposed on the inside of the box.

[0009] According to certain embodiments, the insect attractant preferably comprises a pheromone that attracts insects, and in some cases, the insect attractant preferably comprises a pheromone that attracts Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, Cerotoma trifurcata, Hypena scabra, Nezara viridula, Acrosternum hilare, Euschistus servus, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Anthonomus grandis, Aphis glycines (Matsumura), Epicauta species (pennsylvania, pestifera, fabricii), and / or Chrysodeixis includens.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the pheromone is preferably applied as a coating onto at least a portion of the substrate.

[0011] According to one particular embodiment, the substrate is preferably composed of at least 80 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0012] Different forms of polyhydroxyalkanoate can be used in the substrate. In some embodiments, the substrate preferably comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)"). In other embodiments, the substrate preferably comprises a terpolymer composed of about 75 to about 99.9 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0013] In some cases, the substrate may also include at least one additional biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate-co-butylene adipate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

[0014] Different forms of polyhydroxyalkanoates can also be used in adhesives. In some embodiments, the adhesive preferably comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)"). In other embodiments, the adhesive preferably comprises a terpolymer composed of about 75 to about 99.9 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0015] In some cases, the adhesive also comprises a biodegradable tackifier, such as a collagen-based tackifier or a mucus tackifier.

[0016] The insect trap is also biodegradable. According to certain embodiments, the insect trap is preferably biodegradable as determined by ASTM D5988. In certain other embodiments, the insect trap is preferably home compostable as determined by ASTM D6400.

[0017] In certain embodiments, and preferably, it does not contain any pesticides.

[0018] In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method for trapping insects, according to one embodiment, the method includes placing an insect trap on agricultural land, trapping insects with the trap, and disposing of the trap by burying it in the agricultural land.

[0019] The insect trap used according to the method comprises a substrate having a first surface, an adhesive applied to at least a portion of the substrate first surface, and an insect attractant. The substrate may comprise either (1) a polymer web, which is consequently composed of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, or (2) a paperboard web having a coating layer applied to at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer being composed of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate. According to the present disclosure, the adhesive is also composed of at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0020] Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings, which are not drawn to scale to more clearly show detail. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an insect trap structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insect trap formed as a hanging strip according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insect trap formed as an enclosure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insect trap formed as a funnel trap according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insect trap formed as a panel trap according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present disclosure provides insect traps constructed from biodegradable materials. Generally, the insect traps include at least a substrate, an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate, and an insect attractant.

[0023] 1, insect trap 10 includes a substrate 12. Substrate 12 includes a first surface 14 and a second surface 16.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the substrate 12 may be formed from a polymer web. In such cases, the polymer web typically comprises at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, preferably at least 80 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, and more preferably at least 90 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0025] In other embodiments, substrate 12 may be formed from a paperboard web having a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web. In such embodiments, the coating layer typically comprises at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, preferably at least 80 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, and more preferably at least 90 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0026] According to the present disclosure, different forms of polyhydroxyalkanoate can be used in the substrate. Generally, the polyhydroxyalkanoate of the substrate can be either a homopolymer, a copolymer, or a terpolymer. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate preferably comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)"). In other embodiments, the substrate preferably comprises a terpolymer composed of about 75 to about 99.9 mole percent of monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent of monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent of monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0027] Additionally, in some embodiments, the polyhydroxyalkanoate in the substrate may be combined with one or more additional biodegradable polymers selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate-co-butylene adipate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

[0028] Insect trap 10 also includes an adhesive 18 applied over at least a portion of substrate first surface 14. In some cases, adhesive 18 may be applied over a portion of both first surface 14 and second surface 16 of substrate 18.

[0029] According to the present disclosure, the adhesive typically comprises at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate, and more preferably at least 80 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0030] Similar to the substrate, different forms of polyhydroxyalkanoate can be used in the substrate according to the present disclosure. Generally, the polyhydroxyalkanoate of the substrate can be either a homopolymer, copolymer, or terpolymer. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate preferably comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)"). In other embodiments, the substrate preferably comprises a terpolymer composed of about 75 to about 99.9 mole percent of monomeric residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent of monomeric residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent of monomeric residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0031] In addition to polyhydroxyalkanoates, the adhesive may also include a biodegradable tackifier, hi certain embodiments, the adhesive may include, for example, a collagen-based tackifier (such as industrial gelatin or an animal or protein adhesive) or a mucus tackifier.

[0032] In addition to the substrate and attractant, the insect trap also includes an insect attractant. In some cases, the insect attractant may include a pheromone that attracts insects. For example, the insect attractant may include a pheromone that attracts Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, Cerotoma trifurcata, Hypena scabra, Nezara viridula, Acrosternum hilare, Euschistus servus, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Anthonomus grandis, Aphis glycines (Matsumura), Epicauta species (pennsylvania, pestifera, fabricicii), and / or Chrysodeixis includens.

[0033] Alternatively, insect attractants can be provided as a food source to attract insects. Examples of such food-based attractants include thyme oil, clove oil, geraniol, and eugenol. Other non-food attractants include 2-phenylethylpropionate, meta-dimethoxybenzene, para-dimethoxybenzene, trimethoxybenzene, guaiacol, indole, phenylacetaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamonitrile, β-ionone, 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde, 4-methoxycinnamonitrile, 4-methoxy-1-vinyl-benzene, 4-methoxy-1-propyl-benzene, 4-methoxyphenylethyl ether, 4-methoxyphenylacetonitrile, allylbenzene, 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamic acid methyl ester, dihydrocinnamylaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and phenylpropionitrile.

[0034] In some cases, the pheromone or other attractant may be applied as a coating over at least a portion of the substrate, which may be accomplished by including the attractant in an adhesive or by applying the attractant as a separate layer over at least a portion of the substrate and / or adhesive.

[0035] Optionally, the insect trap may also include an insecticide in addition to the attractant, however, insecticides are not considered essential to the insect traps of the present disclosure.

[0036] If present, the insecticide is preferably one that is non-toxic to crops and / or one that degrades rapidly to a non-toxic form. Examples of suitable insecticides that may be used in the insect trap include neem oil, orspinosyn, flubendaimide, indoxacarb or carbamate, esfenvalerate, permethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, thiodicarb, acephate, and carbaryl. The insect trap preferably does not contain any insecticides selected from the group consisting of carbofuran, isofenphos, phorate, and terbufos.

[0037] Again, insecticides are not considered essential to the insect traps of the present disclosure, and thus, in certain embodiments, the insect traps of the present disclosure do not include any insecticides.

[0038] Although an insect trap 10 according to the present disclosure will include the substrate, adhesive, and insect attractant described above, the substrate of the insect trap may be deformed or otherwise formed into one of a variety of final shapes in accordance with the present invention, and therefore the final overall structure of the insect trap may vary.

[0039] For example, in certain embodiments, the insect trap may be provided as a strip or sheet 20 that can be hung from a tree branch or other structure, as illustrated in Figure 2. The strip or sheet 20 is typically hung over or near the planted area. In some cases, the insect trap 10 may be hung using a hook or clip 16 that also includes polyhydroxyalkanoate and / or another biodegradable polymer.

[0040] In other embodiments, the insect trap may be provided as an enclosure 30 for capturing crawling or flying insects. As illustrated in Figure 3, the enclosure 30 may be a small box, funnel-shaped, cylindrical, triangular, square, or multi-sided structure made from polyhydroxyalkanoate with at least one opening for insect entry. The enclosure 30 has at least one surface coated with a polyhydroxyalkanoate-containing biodegradable adhesive that has been coated or sprayed with an attractant.

[0041] In one embodiment, the insect trap can be a funnel trap 40 that includes multiple funnels made from polyhydroxyalkanoate, preferably with a cover at the top to prevent rainwater from running in, and a chamber at the bottom filled with adhesive and attractant, an example of which is shown in Figure 4.

[0042] In another embodiment, the insect trap may be provided as a collapsible panel trap 50. As shown in Figure 5, the panel trap is freestanding and includes multiple panels made from polyhydroxyalkanoate, with an adhesive and attractant added to one or more panels of the trap.

[0043] In yet another embodiment, the insect trap may be used as a tree band trap that is wrapped around a portion of a tree trunk.

[0044] Importantly, insect traps according to the present disclosure are also biodegradable. According to certain embodiments, the insect traps are preferably biodegradable as determined by ASTM D5988. In certain other embodiments, the insect traps are preferably home compostable as determined by ASTM D6400.

[0045] Because the insect traps are biodegradable and / or compostable, there is no need to remove and dispose of the insect traps after use. Instead, the insect traps can simply be tilled into the soil without a separate step for collection and separate disposal.

[0046] Accordingly, the present disclosure also provides a method for trapping insects, according to one embodiment, the method comprising the steps of placing an insect trap on agricultural land, trapping insects with the trap, and disposing of the trap by burying it in the agricultural land.

[0047] Embodiment The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following embodiments.

[0048] Embodiment 1 a substrate having a first surface, the substrate comprising: (1) a polymer web comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; or (2) a paperboard web having a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate first surface, the adhesive comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; Insect attractants, A biodegradable insect trap, including:

[0049] Embodiment 2 2. The biodegradable insect trap of embodiment 1, wherein the substrate comprises an elongated sheet suspended from an overhead support.

[0050] Embodiment 3 3. The biodegradable insect trap of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the substrate is shaped into an enclosure for capturing insects.

[0051] Embodiment 4 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the substrate is shaped into a box for trapping insects, and the substrate first surface is disposed on the inside of the box.

[0052] Embodiment 5 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the insect attractant comprises a pheromone that attracts insects.

[0053] Embodiment 6 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the insect attractant comprises a pheromone that attracts Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, Cerotoma trifurcata, Hypena scabra, Nezara viridula, Acrosternum hilare, Euschistus servus, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Anthonomus grandis, Aphis glycines (Matsumura), Epicauta species (pennsylvania, pestifera, fabricicii), and / or Chrysodeixis includens.

[0054] Embodiment 7 7. The biodegradable insect trap of embodiment 5 or 6, wherein the pheromone is applied as a coating onto at least a portion of the substrate.

[0055] Embodiment 8 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the substrate comprises at least 80 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0056] Embodiment 9 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the substrate comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)").

[0057] Embodiment 10 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the substrate comprises a terpolymer consisting of from about 75 to about 99.9 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, from about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and from about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0058] Embodiment 11 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the substrate comprises at least one additional biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate-co-butylene adipate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

[0059] Embodiment 12 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the adhesive comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)").

[0060] Embodiment 13 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the adhesive comprises a terpolymer consisting of about 75 to about 99.9 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and about 0.1 to about 25 mole percent monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0061] Embodiment 14 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the adhesive further comprises a biodegradable tackifier.

[0062] Embodiment 15 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the insect trap is biodegradable as determined by ASTM D5988.

[0063] Embodiment 16 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the insect trap is home compostable as determined by ASTM D6400.

[0064] Embodiment 17 10. The biodegradable insect trap of any preceding embodiment, wherein the insect trap is insecticide-free.

[0065] Embodiment 18 1. A method for trapping insects, comprising the steps of placing an insect trap on agricultural land, trapping insects with said trap, and disposing of said trap by burying said trap in said agricultural land, The method, wherein the insect trap comprises: a substrate having a first surface, the substrate being either (1) a polymer web comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; or (2) a paperboard web having a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate first surface, the adhesive comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; and an insect attractant.

[0066] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments, with various modifications made to suit the particular uses contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention, as determined by the appended claims, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. a substrate having a first surface, the substrate comprising: (1) a polymer web comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; or (2) a paperboard web having a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate first surface, the adhesive comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; Insect attractants, Including, The substrate comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)"); Biodegradable insect trap.

2. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises an elongated sheet suspended from an overhead support.

3. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the substrate is shaped into an enclosure for trapping insects.

4. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the substrate is shaped into a box for trapping insects, and the substrate first surface is disposed on the inside of the box.

5. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the insect attractant comprises a pheromone that attracts insects.

6. The insect attractant is Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica undecimpunctata, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, Cerotoma trifurcata, Hypena scabra, Nezara viridula, Acrosternum hilare, Euschistus servus, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Anthonomus grandis, Aphis 2. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, comprising a pheromone that attracts P. glycines (Matsumura), Epicauta species (pennsylvania, pestifera, fabricii), and / or Chrysodeixis includens.

7. 6. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 5, wherein the pheromone is applied as a coating onto at least a portion of the substrate.

8. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises at least 80 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate.

9. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a terpolymer composed of 75 to 99.9 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, 0.1 to 25 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and 0.1 to 25 mole percent monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

10. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises at least one additional biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate-co-butylene adipate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and mixtures thereof.

11. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)").

12. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises a terpolymer consisting of 75 to 99.9 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, 0.1 to 25 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate, and 0.1 to 25 mole percent monomer residues of a third 3-hydroxyalkanoate having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

13. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the adhesive further comprises a biodegradable tackifier.

14. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein said insect trap is biodegradable as determined by ASTM D5988.

15. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein the insect trap is home compostable as determined by ASTM D6400.

16. 10. The biodegradable insect trap of claim 1, wherein said insect trap is insecticide-free.

17. placing an insect trap on the field; capturing insects with the trap; disposing of the trap by burying it in the agricultural land; 1. A method for capturing insects, comprising: The insect trap comprises: a substrate having a first surface, the substrate comprising: (1) a polymer web comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; or (2) a paperboard web having a coating layer applied over at least a portion of the paperboard web, the coating layer comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; an adhesive applied over at least a portion of the substrate first surface, the adhesive comprising at least 50 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoate; Insect attractants, Including, The substrate comprises poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate ("P(3HB-co-3HHx)"); The method.

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