Biological control and monitoring traps through induced propagation of pests and natural enemies

Abstract

The present invention provides a natural enemy and pest collection trap comprising a natural enemy collection container, an inlet container, and a pest collection container, and a method for biological control and monitoring the effect thereof by using the same to collect pests and natural enemies within the trap and inducing the natural reproduction of natural enemies that use pests as hosts.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a trap capable of collecting pests occurring in vinyl greenhouse farms and their natural enemies, and a method for biological control and monitoring of pests using the same. Background Technology

[0003] Farmers are widely utilizing vinyl greenhouse farming to improve fruit productivity and diversify production periods. Vinyl greenhouses are typically constructed by covering a frame made of steel pipes or similar materials with polyethylene film, and the internal conditions are mostly maintained in an environment isolated from the outside to suit the fruit being grown.

[0004] Due to the characteristics of these greenhouses, if pests enter the interior, there is a high likelihood of significant fruit damage caused by the pests, and the use of pesticides is almost essential to prevent such damage. However, the use of pesticides not only causes environmental pollution, but there is also a declining trend in consumer preference for crops treated with pesticides due to the recent increase in demand for organic fruits and vegetables.

[0005] In particular, berries such as grapes, blueberries, and strawberries, which are representative fruits grown in greenhouses, are vulnerable to pests like fruit flies and fruit gnats. If these pests are not controlled in a timely manner, fruit damage can become severe, leading to significant economic losses for greenhouse farmers. Fruit flies and fruit gnats lay their eggs directly on the fruit and have short generation cycles; in particular, cherry fruit flies lay an average of two eggs per fruit and can repeat their generation cycles for up to 10 generations or more during the growing season, potentially laying over 300 eggs. Damaged fruit develops small scars, which is aesthetically unpleasing and can also cause infections, thereby reducing their market value.

[0006] For this reason, ever since berry cultivation began, greenhouse farms have been very sensitive to the influx of pests such as fruit flies and fruit flies, and have always been accompanied by cost issues such as the use of pesticides, the resulting labor costs, environmental pollution, and the disposal of pesticide residues.

[0007] Nevertheless, commercially available fruit fly traps are limited to methods that directly capture and eliminate fruit flies using attractants. However, the effectiveness of these methods can vary significantly depending on the installation location, number of traps, installation timing, and the efficacy of the attractant, and in most cases, the rate of control fails to keep pace with the rate of fruit fly reproduction. While Korean Registered Patent No. 1458378 discloses a trap device capable of attracting fruit flies and Japanese Registered Patent No. 6992011 discloses a control agent effective against cherry blossom fruit flies, the control efficacy of these traps or agents is limited by factors such as the installation method and timing of the traps or control devices, the size of the greenhouse, and the number of fruit flies. Consequently, there is a need for new traps and methods for fundamental fruit fly control. Prior art literature

[0009] Korean Registered Patent No. 1458378, Japanese Registered Patent No. 6992011 The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a trap capable of capturing pests and natural enemies to eliminate pests while simultaneously breeding natural enemies, and to provide a method for biological control and monitoring of pests and natural enemies using the same. means of solving the problem

[0011] The present invention provides a natural enemy and pest collection trap comprising a natural enemy collection container having a stopper on the top, an inlet container including an inlet for natural enemies and pests to enter, and a pest collection container, wherein the natural enemy collection container includes a snout-shaped natural enemy collection container fastening part protruding downward, and the inlet container includes a snout-shaped inlet container fastening part protruding upward and a pest collection container fastening part at the bottom, wherein the natural enemy collection container and the inlet container are connected by a fastening member that simultaneously combines the natural enemy collection container fastening part and the inlet container fastening part, and the pest collection container fastening part and the pest collection container are connected, and wherein a plurality of inlets are formed on the surface of the inlet container so as to be inclined toward the ground with respect to the central vertical axis of the trap.

[0012] The natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention may further include a collection container outlet that protrudes above the cap of the natural enemy collection container and allows the collected natural enemies to be discharged to the outside.

[0013] The natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention may further include an outflow passage connected to the outlet of the collection container.

[0014] In the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention, the angle of inclination of the inlet may be 30 to 60° with respect to the central vertical axis.

[0015] In the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention, the connection between the natural enemy collection container, the inlet container, the fastening member, and the pest collection container can be made by screw connection.

[0016] In the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention, the stopper of the natural enemy collection container includes a mesh structure, and the average size of the mesh may be smaller than the natural enemy.

[0017] In the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention, the pest collection container may include a pest collection container filter installed parallel to the bottom of the pest collection container.

[0018] The outer surface of the inlet container of the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention may be coated with a blackout film.

[0019] In the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention, the natural enemy is the black sedge fly parasite ( Asobara japonica ) and the pest is the cherry blossom fly( Drosophila suzukii It can be.

[0020] The present invention relates to a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to the present invention, a moss fly parasitoid wasp ( Asobara japonica ) and cherry fruit flies( Drosophila suzukii A biological pest control method is provided that collects ) and breeds and releases fruit fly parasitic wasps.

[0021] The present invention relates to a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to the present invention, a moss fly parasitoid wasp ( Asobara japonica ) and cherry fruit flies( Drosophila suzukii A method is provided to monitor changes in the population of fruit flies and control effects after collecting and breeding fruit fly parasitic wasps and releasing them. Effects of the invention

[0022] The natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention can effectively collect fruit flies and their natural enemies that cause damage to berry fruits such as grapes, blueberries, and strawberries, and can induce natural enemies through the simultaneous collection of fruit flies and their natural enemies, and can biological control and monitoring of changes in the population of fruit flies, which are pests, by releasing the bred natural enemies into a vinyl greenhouse. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the cap of the natural enemy collection container of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the interior of a pest collection container of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows the outer surface of an inlet tube of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention, coated with a blackout film. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the specific details described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. The specific details regarding the present invention are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0026] In describing the specific details of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such descriptions could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and these definitions may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0028] The present invention provides a trap for collecting natural enemies and pests and a biological control method using the same. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for monitoring natural enemies and pests using the natural enemy and pest collection trap of the present invention.

[0029] The natural enemy and pest trap of the present invention is a natural enemy and pest collection trap comprising a natural enemy collection container having a stopper at the top for collecting natural enemies, an inlet container having an inlet for introducing natural enemies and pests, and a pest collection container for collecting pests, wherein the natural enemy collection container includes a natural enemy collection container fastening part in the shape of a snout protruding downward, and the inlet container includes an inlet container fastening part in the shape of a snout protruding upward and a pest collection container fastening part at the bottom, wherein the natural enemy collection container and the inlet container are connected by a fastening member that simultaneously combines the natural enemy collection container fastening part and the inlet container fastening part, and the pest collection container fastening part and the pest collection container are connected, and the inlet container fastening part is connected to the pest collection container, and a plurality of inlets are formed on the surface of the inlet container so as to be inclined toward the ground with respect to the central vertical axis of the trap.

[0030] A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as follows.

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective view and an exploded view of a natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention. The natural enemy and pest collection trap (1) is a trap in which a natural enemy collection container (20), an inlet container (30), and a pest collection container (40) are connected in order from top to bottom. The natural enemy collection container (20) and the inlet container (30) are connected by a connecting member (50), and the pest collection container (40) can preferably be connected to the lower part of the inlet container (30) through a screw connection.

[0032] A protruding spout-shaped connection part (21) is formed at the bottom of the natural enemy collection container (20), and a protruding spout-shaped connection part (31) is formed at the top of the inlet container (30). The natural enemy collection container (20) and the inlet container (30) can be connected by a connection member (50) that simultaneously combines the natural enemy collection container connection part (21) and the inlet container connection part (31). The spout-shaped connection parts (21, 31) formed at the bottom and top of the natural enemy collection container (20) and the inlet container (30), respectively, are narrower than the diameter of the cylindrical natural enemy collection container (20) and the cylindrical inlet container (30), thereby forming a narrow passage (see FIG. 6) through which, among the natural enemies and pests introduced through the natural enemy and pest inlet (32), the natural enemies can selectively move toward the natural enemy collection container (20).

[0033] On the surface of the inlet tube (30), a plurality of natural enemy and pest inlet openings (32) are formed along the outer surface, which are passages through which natural enemies and pests can enter the inlet tube (30), and the natural enemy and pest inlet openings (32) are formed to be inclined toward the ground with respect to the central vertical axis of the trap.

[0034] The upper part of the natural enemy collection container (20) is provided with a natural enemy collection container stopper (10) to prevent the natural enemies collected in the natural enemy collection container (20) from leaking out.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a top view of the natural enemy collection container stopper (10) provided on the upper part of the natural enemy collection container (20) in the natural enemy and pest collection trap (1) of the present invention. An outlet (11) protruding upward may be formed on one end of the upper surface of the natural enemy collection container stopper (10), and natural enemies collected in the natural enemy collection container (20) can be easily separated and captured to the outside through the outlet (11) and released into the vinyl greenhouse. The outlet (11) may be blocked with a separate lid or stopper (not shown) until sufficient natural enemies are collected, and a hose-structured outlet passage (12) may be connected to make the capture of natural enemies easier. A mesh structure (13) may be formed on part or all of the upper surface of the natural enemy collection container stopper (10), or a porous, breathable cloth may be attached after making holes. The mesh structure (13) is preferably a dense structure through which natural enemies captured in the natural enemy collection container (20) cannot pass, and specifically, the average size of the mesh openings of the mesh structure (13) may be smaller than that of an adult natural enemy. Air can be circulated inside and outside the trap through the mesh structure (13), and the air circulation can control humidity and temperature inside the trap and suppress gas overcrowding. The insect collection container (40) of the trap contains attractant substances such as food, fruit, or compounds like attractants that can serve as food necessary for reproduction and induce the entry of insects. The air circulation formed through the mesh structure (13) enables the control of temperature and humidity that rise during the process in which insects captured in the insect collection container (40) lay eggs and insects and their larvae consume the attractant substances to reproduce, as well as suppressing the decay of the attractant substances and the accumulation of gases generated by the activities of insects and natural enemies.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the insect collection container (40). Inside the insect collection container (40), an insect collection container filter (41) may be installed in the middle of the height of the insect collection container so as to be parallel to the bottom of the insect collection container (40). Insects that enter the inlet container (30) through the inlet port (32) gather in the insect collection container (40) to multiply, avoiding natural enemies that gather in the natural enemy collection container (20). The insect collection container filter (41) can effectively promote natural multiplication of insects, and as insects multiply, it can induce an increase in the multiplication of natural enemies that feed on insects or parasitize insects.

[0037] Specifically, the insect attractant is placed at the top of the collection container filter (41) so that the insects can feed on the attractant and lay eggs on it, and decaying matter, which is mainly liquid, including moisture generated while the insects and their larvae feed on the attractant, can flow down to the bottom of the collection container filter (41). In addition, the collection container filter (41) allows rainwater, etc., that enters the trap due to rain to be collected at the bottom of the collection container filter (41), thereby suppressing the mortality rate of insects, insect eggs, and larvae generated therefrom that are densely concentrated at the top of the collection container filter (41). A moisture absorbent such as silica gel, zeolite, a porous sheet, or cotton is placed at the bottom of the collection container filter (41) to effectively absorb and remove moisture that flows excessively down to the bottom of the collection container filter (41).

[0038] A structure may be formed on the upper part of the insect collection container (40) along the inner surface that can be coupled with the insect collection container fastening part (33) of the inlet container (30), and preferably, it may be coupled to the inlet container (30) by a screw coupling in the form of a bolt-nut coupling through the formation of screw threads.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows the outer surface of the inlet tube (30) coated with a blackout film capable of blocking external light. The blackout coating may preferably be applied with paint or by bonding a light-blocking coating film, but is not limited thereto, and the inlet tube (30) may also be manufactured using a light-blocking material. The pests and natural enemies targeted in the present invention are phototactic insects that move along with light, and the blackout coating on the outer surface of the inlet tube (30) can darken the inside of the inlet tube (30) to induce the pests and natural enemies that have entered the inlet tube (30) to move along with the light to the natural enemy collection tube (20) at the top of the trap. During the process of the pests and natural enemies moving upward, pests that encounter natural enemies move to the pest collection tube (40) to avoid the natural enemies, and new pest individuals that have emerged and grown through the pest multiplication process occurring in the pest collection tube (40) move along with the light to the natural enemy collection tube (20) to become parasites or food for the multiplication of natural enemies. In order to separate and capture only some of the natural enemy insects from the natural enemy collection container (20), the blackout film can be coated on the outer surface of the natural enemy collection container outlet (11) in addition to the outer surface of the inlet container (30).

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of a natural enemy and pest collection trap (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. From the top, a natural enemy collection container (10), an inlet container (30), and a pest collection container (40) are combined to form an internal space. A natural enemy collection container stopper (10) is attached to the top of the natural enemy collection container (10), and a natural enemy collection container outlet (11) is formed on the upper surface of the natural enemy collection container stopper (10). Natural enemies collected in the natural enemy collection container (20) can be separated and captured to the outside through the natural enemy collection container outlet (11), and the captured natural enemies can be released into a vinyl greenhouse to be used for biological control. A spout-shaped natural enemy collection container connection part (21) formed along the lower part of the natural enemy collection container (20) and a spout-shaped inlet container connection part (31) formed along the upper part of the inlet container (30) can be joined through a connecting member (50) to form a narrow internal passage connecting the inlet container (30) and the natural enemy collection container (20). Positive phototactic natural enemies and pests that enter the inlet container (30) have the property of moving toward the natural enemy collection container (10) by being attracted by light passing through the natural enemy collection container (10) at the top of the trap (1). In the narrow internal passage, contact between the natural enemies and pests is facilitated, causing the pests to prioritize behaviors to avoid the natural enemies and simultaneously react to the attractant substance of the pest collection container (40), allowing them to be intensively collected in the pest collection container (40) at the bottom.

[0041] The natural enemy and pest inlet (32) is formed toward the ground or the bottom of the trap with an inclination strength of 30 to 60° relative to the central vertical axis (A-A') of the natural enemy and pest collection trap (1), so that the pest and natural enemy that have entered the inlet (30) can be prevented from escaping back to the outside due to the characteristic that the direction of movement of the pest and natural enemy is upward. The number of inlets (32) is preferably 3 to 5, but is not particularly limited, and the diameter of the cylindrical inlet (32) is preferably 0.5 to 3 cm, but is not limited thereto.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the natural enemy and pest trap (1) according to the present invention, the connection between the natural enemy collection container stopper (10) and the natural enemy collection container (20), the connection between the fastening part (21, 31) and the fastening member (50), and the connection between the inlet container (30) and the pest collection container (40) may preferably be screw-connected through a female screw part and a male screw part. The connection between the natural enemy collection container stopper (10), the natural enemy collection container (20), the fastening member (50), the inlet container (30), and the pest collection container (40), which are connected through screw connection, are all preferably cylindrical structures that are separable, and each component may be separable and replaceable through screw connection.

[0043] A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to one embodiment of the present invention is a pest, the cherry fly ( Drosophila suzukii ) and its natural enemy, the wood fly parasitic wasp ( Asobara japonicaIt can be particularly effective for collecting pests. Both the fruit fly and its natural enemy, the fruit fly parasitoid wasp, are positive phototactic and similar in size (2–3 mm as adults). Consequently, the first fruit flies and parasitoid wasps that enter the trap exhibit similar behavioral patterns, moving upwards along the narrow internal passage connecting the inlet and the predator collection container, attracted by the light. During this process, contact occurs between the fruit flies and the parasitoid wasps, causing the fruit flies to move toward the pest collection container to avoid the wasps. Additionally, fruit flies that enter through the inlet are attracted to lures, such as fruit placed in the pest collection container, and gather there to multiply. During the reproduction process of fruit flies, the larvae emit chemical substances while feeding on attractants such as fruit. Fruit fly parasitic wasps can detect the scent of these chemical substances emitted by the larvae and selectively lay their eggs on the host fruit fly larvae, thereby enabling reproduction. Upon detecting the fruit fly larvae, the parasitic wasps lay eggs inside them via their long ovipositors, allowing for natural reproduction while simultaneously inducing the death of the fruit flies. The fruit fly parasitic wasps that have reproduced through this life cycle are attracted to light and move to the natural enemy collection container at the top of the trap. Once a sufficient number of parasitic wasps have gathered in the container, they can be separated and captured outside through the outlet connected to the top of the container.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, natural enemy and pest collection traps can be used to collect fruit flies and fruit fly parasitic wasps, and then the fruit fly parasitic wasps are bred through the life cycle of fruit fly parasitic wasps that use fruit fly larvae as hosts. Subsequently, the isolated and captured fruit fly parasitic wasps are released into a vinyl greenhouse to perform biological pest control. By using natural enemy and pest collection traps, the density of fruit flies, which are pests within the vinyl greenhouse, decreases while the density of natural enemy fruit fly parasitic wasps increases, thereby enabling effective biological control.

[0045] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, after installing natural enemy and pest collection traps and collecting fruit flies and fruit fly parasitic wasps, it is possible to monitor changes in the population of fruit flies and fruit fly parasitic wasps and the control effect during the breeding and release process of the fruit fly parasitic wasps. Explanation of the symbols

[0047] 1: Natural enemy and pest collection trap 10: Natural enemy collection container stopper 11: Natural enemy collection container outlet 12: Natural enemy collection container outflow passage 13: Network Structure 20: Natural enemy collection container 21: Natural enemy collection container connection part 30: Inlet 31: Inlet pipe connection part 32: Entry points for natural enemies and pests 33: Pest collection container connection part 40: Pest trap 41: Pest collection container strainer

Claims

Claim 1 A natural enemy collection container equipped with a stopper at the top; an inlet container including an inlet for natural enemies and pests to enter; A natural enemy and pest collection trap comprising: a natural enemy collection container and a pest collection container; wherein the natural enemy collection container includes a natural enemy collection container fastening part in the shape of a snout protruding downward, and the inlet container includes an inlet container fastening part in the shape of a snout protruding upward and a pest collection container fastening part at the bottom, and the natural enemy collection container and the inlet container are connected by a fastening member that simultaneously combines the natural enemy collection container fastening part and the inlet container fastening part, and the natural enemy collection container fastening part and the inlet container fastening part are narrower than the diameter of the natural enemy collection container and the inlet container, and the pest collection container fastening part and the pest collection container are connected, and a plurality of inlet openings are formed on the surface of the inlet container so as to be inclined toward the ground with respect to the central vertical axis of the trap, and the pest collection container includes a pest collection container filter installed parallel to the bottom of the pest collection container, a pest attractant is located on the upper part of the pest collection container filter, and pests naturally multiply in the pest collection container, and the natural enemy is a fruit fly parasitic wasp (Asobara A natural enemy and pest collection trap in which the pest is the japonica and the pest is the fruit fly (Drosophila suzukii). Claim 2 A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to claim 1, further comprising a collection container outlet protruding above the stopper of the natural enemy collection container and capable of releasing the collected natural enemies to the outside. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, a natural enemy and pest collection trap further comprising an outflow passage connected to the outlet of the collection container. Claim 4 A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to claim 1, wherein the inclination angle of the inlet is 30 to 60° with respect to the central vertical axis of the pest collection trap. Claim 5 A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to claim 1, wherein the connection of the natural enemy collection container, the inlet container, the fastening member, and the pest collection container is formed by a screw connection. Claim 6 In claim 1, the stopper of the natural enemy collection container comprises a mesh structure and is a natural enemy and pest collection trap with an average mesh size smaller than that of a natural enemy. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 In claim 1, a natural enemy and pest collection trap in which the outer surface of the inlet tube is coated with a blackout film. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to any one of paragraphs 1 through 6 and 8, a black-eyed fly parasitoid wasp ( Asobara japonica ) and cherry blossom fly( Drosophila suzukii A biological pest control method that collects ) and breeds and releases fruit fly parasitic wasps. Claim 11 A natural enemy and pest collection trap according to any one of paragraphs 1 through 6 and 8, a black-eyed fly parasitoid wasp ( Asobara japonica ) and cherry blossom fly( Drosophila suzukii A method for collecting ) and breeding and releasing fruit fly parasitic wasps, and then monitoring changes in the fruit fly population and control effects.

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