Capillary-feeder modules, modular capillary-feeder bait stations, and methods for control of nuisance flies

Abstract

The present invention discloses capillary-feeder modules and modular capillary-feeder bait stations for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis and methods therein. The bait stations include: capillary-feeder modules having: a liquid bait conducive to sugar-based feeding and / or blood-based feeding, a bait reservoir, and a capillary for providing feeding access while preventing bait loss due to dripping or evaporation regardless of the capillary orientation; optical targets configured for providing a high-contrast pattern of a light-to-dark or dark-to-light contrast pairing to the capillary relative to the reservoir; and attractant-diffusion modules having: an attractant; and a diffusion mesh for containing the attractant and regulating attractant diffusion; wherein each capillary-feeder module is proximally disposed to an attractant-diffusion module. An intermittently-applied voltage (IAV) can electrify the bait or the capillary exit orifices without fly repulsion to replace lethal toxins for killing the flies with electrocution as the lethal agent.

Description

[0001] CAPILLARY-FEEDER MODULES AND MODULAR CAPILLARY-FEEDER BAIT

[0002] STATIONS FOR ATTRACTION, FEEDING, AND CONTROL OF NUISANCE FLIES THAT FEED VIA A PROBOSCIS AND METHODS THEREIN

[0003] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004] This patent application claims priority under PCT Art. 8(1), PCT Rule 4.10(a), and 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202441066539, filed September 3, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0005] FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to capillary-feeder modules and modular capillary -feeder bait stations for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis and methods therein. Such flies include biting flies (particularly mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles,' sand flies; horse flies; Tsetse, and biting midges) as well as other agricultural flying pests from the order Diptera that feed via a proboscis, irrespective of their active feeding mode (i.e., sugar-based vs. blood-based feeding).

[0007] Biting flies such as mosquitoes are known for their blood-feeding behavior, which makes them vectors of pathogens. However, while female biting flies predominantly need blood for egg production, and sugar as their main source of energy, most male biting flies do not feed on blood, and are completely dependent on sugar. On the other hand, Tsetse flies rarely engage in such sugar feeding as a last resort.

[0008] It has been shown that generalizations can be made across various species of bloodsucking flies that are sugar-feeding, indicative of predictability in the art. A hierarchy of attraction cues has been shown which agrees largely with the model presented by Bradbury and Bennett (1974), emphasizing the role of visual cues in close-range attraction. Nevertheless, huge disparities in behavioral response exist regarding attraction and feeding among various members of the insect world (e.g., roaches, ants, and bedbugs) when compared to such biting flies, rendering such efforts unpredictable and worthless.

[0009] The requirement for sugar-feeding influences longevity, fecundity, dispersal, hostseeking behavior, and ultimately blood-feeding that facilitates disease transmission, as known in the art (see Literature section). Biting flies do not find sugar sources randomly; they rather search for sugar sources actively by following olfactory cues.

[0010] Nectar and blood hosts are both initially located on the basis of their odors (e.g., Vargo and Foster, 1982). Once within close range, visual cues may be used as well. Upon landing on a host, different search tactics are employed as a consequence of differences in location. Nectar is generally concentrated at a single source (e.g., flower nectary), whereas blood is much more evenly distributed throughout the host.

[0011] This dependence on sugar of biting flies was only recently exploited for control measurements. In recent times, Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait (ATSB) was developed to attract and kill biting flies in the field. These baits basically include an attractive component, sugar as a feeding stimulant, and an oral toxin. Currently, bait stations are one of the most interesting and promising insect control techniques.

[0012] A bait station is a device that is installed in a way that the targeted insects can feed on the bait, either outdoors or indoors. Typical prior-art bait is a viscous substance or aqueous-gel mixture having an attractant, a substance that the insect uses as food (e.g., sugar, a carbohydrate solution, blood, or substitutes and surrogates thereof), and a toxin (e.g., boric acid, spinosad, and dinotefuran) or biologic agent (e.g., B. sphericus and entomo fungi). The bait formulation may further include preservatives and colorants. Such lures attract insects to feed on the bait, while the toxin enters the insect body during feeding (either by ingestion or contact), causing its death. A major drawback of prior-art bait technologies is the sensitivity to outdoor environments, such as sunlight, dust, rain, dew, and cold flow due to gravity. Cold flow of bait causes loss of material and uneven distribution along the dimensions of the bait. Baits having no outer, protective film tend to dry out rapidly and accumulate dust that sticks to the bait, while the sunlight’s radiation (particularly in the UV range) can cause severe degradation over a period of time of outdoor exposure.

[0013] In prior-art studies (see Literature section) in the absence of a suitable attractant, a nonattracting, toxic sugar solution was initially sprayed on flowering plants. Mosquitoes were attracted by the scent of the flowers, and fed on the toxic sugar solution, consequently resulting in death. While effective in controlling mosquitoes, this method requires bait application to be dependent on locating suitable flowering plants. Furthermore, the impact on “non-target” flower-visiting insects such as bees and other pollinators was very high.

[0014] Adding an external attractant to the bait such as date extract and other fruit / flower extracts mitigated this limitation. The resulting attractants proved to be highly effective for short periods of time for the control of biting flies even if sprayed on non-attracting, green plants and other surfaces. However, the same attractive sugar bait mixtures exhibited poor longterm stability in field studies because they dried out over time becoming too viscous for targets to feed upon on in the needed quantity to be highly efficient for control. As a simple type of bait station, textile wicks soaked in attractive bait were used. An alternate bait station model used sachets having a viscous bait covered with an external membrane.

[0015] However, approaches with textile wicks (and other exposed bait carriers) exhibited poor long-term stability in laboratory and field studies, including enhanced fungal growth, contamination of the surface with dust, and fast drying of the solution which increased viscosity of the bait to a degree that biting flies and mosquitoes had trouble to ingest the liquid through their narrow proboscis. The more viscous a liquid, the harder it is to feed upon, resulting in smaller meal sizes and reduced efficacy of toxic baits (i.e., reduced intake of volume). Though a covering membrane on a bait can mitigate some of these problems, it is likewise a barrier for diffusion of attractants, resulting in reduced attraction, feeding, and thereby poorer bait efficacy.

[0016] While such advances in the state of the art have ushered in greater effectiveness, efficiency, control, suitability, longevity, and selectivity for technical solutions in mitigating insect populations, the above technologies focus on relatively large chambers holding the bait covered by membranes.

[0017] It would be desirable to have capillary-feeder modules and modular capillary-feeder bait stations for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis and methods therein that can maintain bait viscosity for extended time periods, with structures that facilitate feeding. Such bait stations and methods would, inter alia, overcome the limitations mentioned above.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] It is the purpose of the present invention to provide capillary-feeder modules and modular capillary -feeder bait stations for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis and methods therein.

[0020] It is noted that the term “exemplary” is used herein to refer to examples of embodiments and / or implementations, and is not meant to necessarily convey a more-desirable use-case. Similarly, the terms “alternative” and “alternatively” are used herein to refer to an example out of an assortment of contemplated embodiments and / or implementations, and is not meant to necessarily convey a more-desirable use-case. Therefore, it is understood from the above that “exemplary” and “alternative” may be applied herein to multiple embodiments and / or implementations. Various combinations of such alternative and / or exemplary embodiments are also contemplated herein.

[0021] In configuring a modular capillary-feeder bait station to overcome the limitations described above, several synergistic and antagonistic aspects of the desired attributes present themselves. A “chained” antagonistic relationship exists among the desired attributes akin to a trilemma type of problem, compounding the difficulty in arriving at a suitable solution that encompasses all aspects of attraction, feeding, and control of the bait station, as well as field longevity / lifetime.

[0022] Firstly, employing a capillary as a feeding means for preventing bait evaporation is effective approach in contrast to prior-art solutions which utilize high viscosity baits, resulting in reduced feeding and reduced meal size, thus raising required toxin concentration. Such capillaries can be incorporated into a module that has a bait reservoir for enabling the nuisance flies to feed. Configuring a capillary exit orifice with a bait reservoir to construct an individual capillary-feeder module enables effective feeding with minimal loss. By exploiting capillary action, which is the ability of a liquid to flow against gravity in a narrow space such as a thin tube, such capillaries don’t suffer from bait leaks due to dripping or evaporation.

[0023] In addition, such capillary-feeder modules enable multiple baits to be used by employing each bait in separate capillary-feeder modules (e.g., sugar-feeding baits and bloodfeeding baits). In many cases, different baits are not compatible with each other to be incorporated into a so-called “cocktail” - such capillary-feeder modules expand the types of feeding stimulants that can be employed together in a bait station (e.g., sugar feeding stimulant, sugar- substitute feeding stimulant, blood feeding stimulant, and blood-surrogate feeding stimulant).

[0024] However, such a configuration results in poor diffusion of any attractants in the bait (in which prior-art solutions typically include the attractant with the feeding stimulant and toxin - the cocktail) due to the relatively small surface area of the capillary exit orifice. Thus, while in principle potential bait feeding has been enhanced, bait feeding has been reduced overall due to the poorer attraction of the nuisance flies to the capillary -feeder module.

[0025] To overcome this newly-created detriment, separate attractant-diffusion modules can be co-located with the individual capillary -feeder modules in a modular capillary-feeder bait station in order to enhance attraction of the nuisance flies. In addition, such a configuration preserves the integrity and stability of the feeding stimulants in the reservoir by eliminating the spoiling of bait material which frequently occurs when feeding stimulants are combined with attractants. Such a compartmentalized configuration of the bait components also extends the attraction “performance” (both longevity and projection) of the attractant and thereby, the effective lifetime of the bait station.

[0026] Moreover, such a configuration enables multiple attractants to be used that might be otherwise immiscible or lead to deterioration of the individual effectiveness of each attractant. Furthermore, such a configuration enables attractants that are not suitable for mixing in bait cocktails to be used (e.g., dry attractants, water-soluble attractants, oil-soluble attractants, and encased slow-release pellets).

[0027] However, while co-locating such attractant-diffusion modules with the individual capillary-feeder modules attracts the nuisance flies to the general vicinity of the individual capillary-feeder modules, such a configuration would not enable the nuisance flies to effectively find the small capillary orifices in which to feed. Studies have shown that the residence times (i.e., frequency and duration of interaction with an exposed surface) of mosquitoes in the presence of attractants is highly restricted to the source of the attractant itself. That is, an attractant diffusing from a soaked pad will show high residence times, while an untreated area merely centimeters away will show negligible residence times. To compensate for this impairment, high-contrast patterning of the capillary-feeder modules can be employed as an optical target, serving as a visual attractant for the nuisance flies to land and feed at the capillary orifice. It has been shown in studies that nuisance flies respond in predictable ways to surfaces with high-contrast patterning. In implementing such patterning in the capillary-feeder modules, the decreased effectiveness of the attractantdiffusion modules due to not being co-located precisely where the capillaries are located is significantly offset, resulting in a net enhancement of the attraction performance and the residence times exceeding that of the attraction-diffusion modules being employed alone without the patterning of the capillary-feeder modules.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention provide such bait stations having a plurality of capillary-feeder modules and attraction-diffusion modules as suited for the environmental application provide a flexible, modular configuration in order to create customizable bait stations to solve various application constraints (e.g., location, access, available space, severity / frequency of problem, and cost).

[0029] In addition, surfaces of capillary -feeder modules can be optionally coated with sugar in order to further enhance attraction and / or residence time via the stimulation of the legs of the nuisance flies (a type of “tasting”).

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention provide easy accessibility and feeding of the bait for target insects for increased efficacy and increased attraction, while the bait is preserved in its original state over time and protected from the environment.

[0031] Further embodiments of the present invention enable the elimination of the toxin altogether. It is important to recall that the toxin in a classic cocktail bait serves as the lethal agent to kill the flies, with the attractant bringing the flies to the bait and the bait serving as the feeding stimulant to induce the flies to ingest the toxin. Thus, more generally, the toxin is a lethal agent that is required to be ingested. However, if the lethal agent is effective upon contact with the fly, then there is no need for ingestion. Such a lethal agent can reduce cost of materials, eliminate preparation of the bait cocktail, eliminate the need to replenish the lethal agent, and improve the field longevity / lifetime of the bait by preventing spoilage of the bait due to the presence of chemical and / or biological toxins.

[0032] Such embodiments are enabled by employing a suitably high-enough voltage (i.e., DC voltage) to electrocute the nuisance flies. The voltage can be applied to the bait as well as the attractant via an electrode or an embedded grid inserted into the capillary-feeder modules as well as the attractant modules. The presence of a minimal amount of ions in the bait solution is enough to stabilize the voltage. A bait-soluble electrolyte (such as salt) can also be added to the bait for this purpose. The exit orifices of the capillaries can have a grounded mesh on the edge of the orifices where flies rest in order to feed. The mesh can also completely cover the exit orifice of one or more capillaries as long as there is ample space between the grid of the mesh for the flies to insert their proboscis.

[0033] Alternatively, the voltage can be applied to the mesh on the exit orifice to electrify the flies’ initial contact point of the modules, with an electrically-isolated spacer separating the capillary from being in electrical contact with the mesh. In such a case, a protective insulating shield can also be positioned in front of the mesh to prevent any person from getting accidentally shocked while flies can still pass through the protective insulating shield.

[0034] An important consideration is that studies of “bug zappers” have shown the presence of a high-voltage field in the vicinity of the zapper actually acts as a repellent to flies. Flies “feel” the presence of the E-field, and actively avoid it. Such zappers are effective by chance encounters of the flies due to the presence of the lights that surround the housing which act as an attractant as well as disorienting the flies.

[0035] In order to compensate for such behavioral responses, the applied voltage can be intermittently applied to the capillary-feeder modules to prevent a permanent E-field from building up in the vicinity of the bait station. The intermittently-applied voltage (IAV) can be applied for a time interval that is enough to effectively kill the target flies with an intermittency between IAV application of about half the maximum feeding time interval. For example, if the flies typically feed for 40 seconds, then the IAV can be applied for about one second every 20 seconds or less.

[0036] It is noted that such techniques involving applying a voltage to a bait solution as the lethal agent can be employed for applications for control of crawling insects as well.

[0037] Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a modular capillary-feeder bait station for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis, the modular capillary-feeder bait station including: (a) at least one capillary-feeder module, each capillary-feeder module includes: (i) a respective liquid bait having at least one respective material conducive to sugar-based feeding and / or blood-based feeding of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of: a sugar feeding stimulant, a sugar-substitute feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate- substitute feeding stimulant, a blood feeding stimulant, and a blood-surrogate feeding stimulant; (ii) a respective reservoir configured for holding the respective liquid bait in a respective bait volume; and (iii) a respective capillary connected to, and / or integrally part of, the respective reservoir, the respective capillary configured for providing feeding access to the respective liquid bait to the nuisance flies via insertion of the flies’ proboscis while preventing loss of the respective liquid bait due to dripping or evaporation, regardless of the orientation of the exit orifice of the respective capillary relative to the direction of gravity; (iv) a respective optical target configured for providing a high-contrast pattern of a light-to-dark contrast pairing, or a dark-to-light contrast pairing, to the respective capillary relative to the respective reservoir; and (b) at least one attractant-diffusion module, each attractant-diffusion module includes: (i) a respective attractant having at least one respective material conducive to attraction of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of: a dry attractant, a water- soluble attractant, an oil-soluble attractant, an encased slow-release pellet attractant, a liquid attractant, a powder attractant, a ground-fruit attractant, and a flower-part attractant; and (ii) a respective attractant-diffusion mesh containing a respective absorbent material configured for containing the respective attractant and configured for regulating diffusion of the respective attractant; wherein each capillary-feeder module is proximally disposed to at least one of the attractant-diffusion modules.

[0038] Alternatively, the respective liquid bait includes at least one insect toxin selected from the group consisting of: an oral toxin, a gut toxin, and a contact toxin.

[0039] Alternatively, the respective capillary is selected from the group consisting of: an exterior capillary, an interior capillary, and an internal bore-hole capillary.

[0040] Alternatively, the respective optical target is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a capillary-orifice contrast, a capillary-orifice background contrast, and a reservoir background contrast.

[0041] Alternatively, the respective attractant-diffusion mesh is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a fabric component, a sponge component, and a fibrous component.

[0042] Alternatively, at least one attractant-diffusion module further includes: (iii) a respective attractant-diffusion membrane configured for regulating controlled release of the respective attractant.

[0043] Alternatively, at least one capillary-feeder module further includes: (v) a respective arrestant coating configured for exciting the nuisance flies upon landing on a surface of the respective reservoir, the respective capillary, and / or the respective optical target.

[0044] Alternatively, at least one capillary-feeder module further includes: (v) at least two respective electrical elements configured for providing an intermittently-applied voltage (IAV), serving as a lethal agent to the nuisance flies upon contact without repelling the nuisance flies, between an electrically-grounded element and an electrically-biased element wherein: (A) at least two respective electrical elements are selected from the group consisting of: a conducting electrode, an embedded grid, a wire mesh, a bait-soluble electrolyte, an internal electrical element, an external electrical element, an embedded electrical element, and an electrically-isolated spacer element; and (B) at least one respective electrical element is proximally disposed to the exit orifice of the respective capillary.

[0045] Most alternatively, at least one capillary-feeder module further includes: (vi) at least one respective electrically-shielded ribbing configured for preventing an accidental electrical discharge from at least two respective electrical elements, at least one respective electrically- shielded ribbing proximally disposed in front of the exit orifice of the respective capillary.

[0046] According to the present invention, there is provided for the first time a method for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis using a modular capillary-feeder bait station, the method including the steps of: (a) providing at least one capillary-feeder module, each capillary-feeder module including: (i) a respective liquid bait having at least one respective material conducive to sugar-based feeding and / or blood-based feeding of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of: a sugar feeding stimulant, a sugar-substitute feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate- substitute feeding stimulant, a blood feeding stimulant, and a blood-surrogate feeding stimulant; (ii) a respective reservoir configured for holding the respective liquid bait in a respective bait volume; and (iii) a respective capillary connected to, and / or integrally part of, the respective reservoir, the respective capillary configured for providing feeding access to the respective liquid bait to the nuisance flies via insertion of the flies’ proboscis while preventing loss of the respective liquid bait due to dripping or evaporation, regardless of the orientation of the exit orifice of the respective capillary relative to the direction of gravity; (iv) a respective optical target configured for providing a high-contrast pattern of a light-to-dark contrast pairing, or a dark-to-light contrast pairing, to the respective capillary relative to the respective reservoir; and (b) providing at least one attractant-diffusion module, each attractant-diffusion module includes: (i) a respective attractant having at least one respective material conducive to attraction of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of a dry attractant, a water- soluble attractant, an oil-soluble attractant, an encased slow-release pellet attractant, a liquid attractant, a powder attractant, a ground-fruit attractant, and a flower-part attractant; and (ii) a respective attractant-diffusion mesh containing a respective absorbent material configured for containing the respective attractant and configured for regulating diffusion of the respective attractant; (c) proximally disposing each capillary-feeder module to at least one attractantdiffusion module.

[0047] Alternatively, the respective liquid bait includes at least one insect toxin selected from the group consisting of an oral toxin, a gut toxin, and a contact toxin.

[0048] Alternatively, the respective capillary is selected from the group consisting of an exterior capillary, an interior capillary, and an internal bore-hole capillary.

[0049] Alternatively, the respective optical target is at least one element selected from the group consisting of a capillary-orifice contrast, a capillary-orifice background contrast, and a reservoir background contrast.

[0050] Alternatively, the respective attractant-diffusion mesh is at least one element selected from the group consisting of a fabric component, a sponge component, and a fibrous component.

[0051] Alternatively, at least one attractant-diffusion module further includes: (iii) a respective attractant-diffusion membrane configured for regulating controlled release of the respective attractant. Alternatively, at least one capillary-feeder module further includes: (v) a respective arrestant coating configured for exciting the nuisance flies upon landing on a surface of the respective reservoir, the respective capillary, and / or the respective optical target.

[0052] Alternatively, at least one capillary-feeder module further includes: (v) at least two respective electrical elements configured for providing an intermittently-applied voltage (IAV), serving as a lethal agent to the nuisance flies upon contact without repelling the nuisance flies, between an electrically-grounded element and an electrically-biased element wherein: (A) at least two respective electrical elements are selected from the group consisting of: a conducting electrode, an embedded grid, a wire mesh, a bait-soluble electrolyte, an internal electrical element, an external electrical element, an embedded electrical element, and an electrically-isolated spacer element; and (B) at least one respective electrical element is proximally disposed to the exit orifice of the respective capillary.

[0053] Most alternatively, at least one capillary-feeder module further includes: (vi) at least one respective electrically-shielded ribbing configured for preventing an accidental electrical discharge from at least two respective electrical elements, at least one respective electrically- shielded ribbing proximally disposed in front of the exit orifice of the respective capillary.

[0054] These and further embodiments will be apparent from the detailed description and examples that follow.

[0055] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The present invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0057] Figure 1A depicts a simplified “side” view of an individual capillary-feeder module having an “exterior” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure IB depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an “interior” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 1C depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternate, individual capillary -feeder module having an “internal bore-hole” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0059] Figure ID depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an “optical target” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0060] Figure IE depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an alternate, “optical target” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0061] Figure IF depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an alternate, “optical target” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 1G depicts a simplified “side” view of an individual attractant-diffusion mesh module, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 1H depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternate, individual attractantdiffusion membrane module, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 2A depicts a simplified “front” view of an upper capillary-feeder module having an “optical target” capillary as in Figure ID and a lower attractant-diffusion module as in Figures 1G or 1H, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 2B depicts a simplified “side” view of the upper individual capillary-feeder module and the lower attractant-diffusion module of Figure 2A, according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2C depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, upper individual capillaryfeeder module having an alternate, “optical target” arrangement as in Figure IF and a lower attractant-diffusion module as in Figure 1G or 1H, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 2D depicts a simplified “side” view of the alternate, upper individual capillaryfeeder module and the lower attractant-diffusion module of Figure 2C, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 3A depicts a simplified “front” view of a modular capillary-feeder bait station having “optical target” capillaries as in Figure ID and attractant-diffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “checkerboard” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 3B depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station having “optical target” capillaries as in Figure ID and attractant-diffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “cross” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 3C depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station having alternate, “optical target” arrangements as in Figure IF and attractant-diffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “checkerboard” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0070] Figure 3D depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station having alternate, “optical target” arrangements as in Figure IF and attractant-diffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “cross” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0071] Figure 4A depicts a simplified “top” view of an alternating row of the capillary-feeder and attractant-diffusion modules of Figures 1A and 1G, respectively, of a modular capillary -feeder bait station having electrical elements for providing an IAV, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0072] Figure 4B depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternating column of the capillaryfeeder and attractant-diffusion modules having electrical elements for providing an IAV as in Figure 4A, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 4C depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station in a “checkerboard” layout as in Figure 3C with electrically-shielded ribbing, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0074] Figure 5A depicts a simplified “side” view of a modular capillary-feeder bait station in a “vertical-hanging” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5B depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary-feeder bait station as in Figure 5A in an alternate, “horizontal-hanging” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 5C depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary-feeder bait station as in Figure 5A in an alternate, “tilted-hanging” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0076] Figure 6A depicts a simplified “side” view of a modular capillary-feeder bait station in a “vertical -mounting” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6B depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary-feeder bait station as in Figure 6A in an alternate, “horizontal-mounting” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0077] Figure 6C depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary-feeder bait station as in Figure 6 A in an alternate, “roof-mounting” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0078] The present invention relates to capillary-feeder modules and modular capillary -feeder bait stations for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis and methods therein. The principles and operation for providing such devices and methods, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and the drawings.

[0079] Referring to the drawings, it is noted that Figures 1-6 sometimes depict different views of the same illustrated embodiments. As such, a consistent numbering set is used across the drawings. Identical components depicted in multiple drawings are frequently labelled with the same numbering.

[0080] It is further noted that the modules and bait stations depicted in the drawings and described below are three-dimensional structures. The important aspects of the modules and bait stations are emphasized in the drawings by presenting that as “side” and “front” profile views. It should be clearly understood that such structures have a third dimension (i.e., a component length) that is not shown.

[0081] Figure 1A depicts a simplified “side” view of an individual capillary-feeder module having an “exterior” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention. The individual capillary -feeder module is shown having a reservoir 2 and an “exterior” capillary 4. Reservoir 2 is configured for holding the bait volume.

[0082] Evaporation causes capillaries to lose liquid bait over time. When the liquid level declines more than the length of a fly’s proboscis, nuisance flies are unable to feed. This is true regardless of the orientation of the capillary opening (i.e., up, down, or sideways). Capillaries can extend about 1 to 5mm from the reservoir surface.

[0083] Figure IB depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an “interior” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention. The alternate, individual capillary-feeder module is shown having a reservoir 6 and an “interior” capillary 8.

[0084] Figure 1C depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternate, individual capillary -feeder module having an “internal bore-hole” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention. The alternate, individual capillary-feeder module is shown having a reservoir 10 with a thickened reservoir wall 12 and an “internal bore-hole” capillary 14 passing through thickened reservoir wall 12.

[0085] Capillaries such as those depicted in Figures 1A-1C oriented “upside down” (i.e., vertically oriented with the exit orifice pointed down) or at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) that are connected to reservoirs can be configured to provide continuous liquid bait for a predetermined time intervals of days, weeks, or months by exploiting a combination of gravity and capillary action. Such an orientation also serves to protect the bait from environmental conditions (e.g., sun, dust, and rain). Capillaries can be further covered by membranes with or without microholes to further reduce bait evaporation (not shown in the drawings). Capillaries and reservoirs may further include an internal wick (not shown in the drawings) not extending beyond the outer rim of the capillary exit orifice.

[0086] Short, thin capillaries (i.e., shorter than the proboscis of flies - about 1-5 mm) such as those depicted in Figures 1A-1C attached to reservoirs with a larger diameter than the capillaries, allow nuisance flies to feed via the capillaries. Bait is continuously supplied directly from the attached reservoir. If the reservoir is positioned above the capillary, flies can feed directly from the capillary until the reservoir is empty. The narrow capillary exit orifices prevent leakage of the bait. Such is the case if the capillary-feeder module is pointing downwards or at an angle.

[0087] An example of a capillary with a reservoir is a syringe with a small diameter exit orifice.

[0088] Preferably, the exit orifice is not positioned in the center of the reservoir. Positioning the capillary exit orifice at the edge of the reservoir (e.g., at a 90-degree angle to the reservoir) has the advantage of exploiting gravity for continuous and complete depletion of the bait.

[0089] Regarding the shape and filling of the capillaries, the liquid in the capillaries needs to be accessible by the proboscis of the feeding targets, while the rims of the capillaries need to offer a dry landing platform for the nuisance flies Accordingly, the level of the liquid bait should be not higher than about 0.5 mm below the rim of the capillaries, and not lower than about 5 mm below the rim (depending on diameter of the capillaries - smaller flies can partially enter their head / body into larger capillaries).

[0090] Figure ID depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an “optical target” capillary, according to embodiments of the present invention. The alternate, individual capillary-feeder module is shown having a reservoir 16 and an “optical target” capillary 18.

[0091] Figure IE depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an alternate, “optical target” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. The alternate, individual capillary-feeder module is shown having a reservoir 20 and an “optical contrast” background 22 with an “optical target” capillary 24 in reservoir 20 disposed in front of “optical target” background 22.

[0092] Figure IF depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, individual capillary-feeder module having an alternate, “optical target” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. The alternate, individual capillary-feeder module is shown having a reservoir 26 and an “optical contrast” reservoir surface 28 with an “optical target” capillary 30 in reservoir 26 disposed in front of “optical contrast” reservoir surface 28.

[0093] The intent of the optical target is to create a high-contrast patterning in the area of the capillary to serve as a visual guide for the nuisance flies to find and land on or near the capillary exit orifices. The high-contrast attraction may be optimally preferential to dark targets on a light background (e.g., black target on white background) or vice versa, depending on the type of nuisance fly. In any case, high-contrast patterning of any type will always enhance attraction over the absence of any patterning. The important aspect is that there is a high-contrast color pairing between the optical target and its background. As an example, a dark target (e.g., black or blue) on a light background is suitable for biting and filth flies, while a light target (e.g., white or yellow) on a dark background is suitable for fruit flies.

[0094] Figure 1G depicts a simplified “side” view of an individual attractant-diffusion mesh module, according to embodiments of the present invention. An individual attractant-diffusion module 32 is shown having an attractant-diffusion mesh 34 containing an absorbent material (e.g., a fabric, a sponge, and a fibrous element).

[0095] Figure 1H depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternate, individual attractantdiffusion membrane module, according to embodiments of the present invention. An alternate, individual attractant-diffusion module 36 is shown having an attractant-diffusion membrane 38. It is noted that in contrast to the capillary-feeder modules of Figures 1 A-1F in which small feeding apertures are employed for the capillaries to minimize bait evaporation, it is desirable to maximize evaporation in the attractant-diffusion modules of Figures 1G and 1H.

[0096] Such attractant-diffusion modules can be interspersed with capillary-feeder modules into an array of modules forming a modular bait station. Depending upon the nature of the attractant, the attractant-diffusion modules can have wide openings to maximize evaporation, a mesh or netting to avoid physical leakage of the attractant while permitting maximum evaporation (as in Figure 1G), covered with a membrane (as in Figure 1H), covered with textile materials such as Gore-Tex. The attractants (in liquid, powder, dried ground fruit or flower parts, or other forms) may also be embedded or encased in slow-release pellets. Multiple attractants can be mixed or placed into separate attractant-diffusion modules. Multiple attractants can work synergistically to increase bait-station attractancy. Depending on the attractant release mechanism, the measured diffusion over time of attractant release can be regulated.

[0097] Figure 2A depicts a simplified “front” view of an upper capillary-feeder module having an “optical target” capillary as in Figure ID and a lower attractant-diffusion module as in Figures 1G or 1H, according to embodiments of the present invention. The upper capillaryfeeder module is shown having a reservoir 40 and an “optical target” capillary 42 with a lower attractant-diffusion module 44 disposed below the upper capillary-feeder module. Figure 2B depicts a simplified “side” view of the upper individual capillary-feeder module and the lower attractant-diffusion module of Figure 2A, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 2C depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, upper individual capillaryfeeder module having an alternate, “optical target” arrangement as in Figure IF and a lower attractant-diffusion module as in Figure 1G or 1H, according to embodiments of the present invention. The alternate, upper capillary-feeder module is shown having a reservoir 46 (with “optical target” capillary 42 as in Figure 2A) and an “optical contrast” reservoir surface 48 with a lower attractant-diffusion module 44 disposed below the alternate, upper capillary-feeder module. Figure 2D depicts a simplified “side” view of the alternate, upper individual capillaryfeeder module and the lower attractant-diffusion module of Figure 2C, according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0099] The surfaces of such a capillary-feeder module may be smooth, rough, or covered with other materials such as textiles (not shown in the drawings). Such surfaces can be covered with a layer of sugars (e.g., sucrose and / or fructose). Such a sugar coating is intended to function as an “arrestant,” exciting the attracted nuisance flies that land on the capillary-feeder module. Such stimulation of the attracted flies causes them to scavenge more intensely and for longer periods of time to find the bait feeding holes (i.e., the capillary exit orifices). Nuisance flies sense the presence of dry sugar crystals with their legs (as well as through their tarsi and proboscis), and become excited to feed which increases bait feeding rates and bait-station efficacy. Sucrose, liquid sugar, or powdered sugar can be applied to the surface around the capillary exit orifices with an adhesive or chemical binder.

[0100] Figure 3A depicts a simplified “front” view of a modular capillary-feeder bait station having “optical target” capillaries as in Figure ID and attractant-diffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “checkerboard” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular “checkerboard” capillary-feeder bait station 50 is shown having a plurality of capillary-feeder modules each having a reservoir 52 and an “optical target” capillary 54 arranged in a “checkerboard” layout with a plurality of attractant-diffusion modules 56.

[0101] Figure 3B depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station having “optical target” capillaries as in Figure ID and attractant-diffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “cross” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention. An alternate, modular “cross” capillary-feeder bait station 58 is shown having a plurality of capillary -feeder modules each having reservoirs 52 and “optical target” capillaries 54 arranged in a “cross” layout with a plurality of attractant-diffusion modules 56.

[0102] Figure 3C depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station having alternate, “optical target” arrangements as in Figure IF and attractantdiffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “checkerboard” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention. An alternate, modular “checkerboard” capillary-feeder bait station 60 is shown having a plurality of capillary-feeder modules each having reservoirs 62 (with “optical contrast” reservoir surfaces as in Figure IF) and “optical target” capillaries 64 arranged in a “checkerboard” layout with a plurality of attractant-diffusion modules 66. Figure 3D depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station having alternate, “optical target” arrangements as in Figure IF and attractantdiffusion modules as in Figures 1G or 1H in a “cross” layout, according to embodiments of the present invention. An alternate, modular “cross” capillary-feeder bait station 68 is shown having a plurality of capillary-feeder modules each having reservoirs 62 (with “optical contrast” reservoir surfaces as in Figure IF) and “optical target” capillaries 64 arranged in a “cross” layout with a plurality of attractant-diffusion modules 66.

[0103] Figure 4A depicts a simplified “top” view of an alternating row of the capillary-feeder and attractant-diffusion modules of Figures 1A and 1G, respectively, of a modular capillaryfeeder bait station having electrical elements for providing an IAV, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 70 is shown having alternating capillary -feeder modules 72 and attractant-diffusion modules 74 in a row. An internal electrical element 76 (e.g., an electrode or embedded grid) is shown in the interior of the modules. An external electrical element 78 is shown in the exterior of the modules, serving as a “counter electrode” to complete the circuit for supplying an IAV (either element can be biased with the voltage). Additional control of the IAV can be regulated by an embedded electrical element 80 residing within the side wall of the housing of modular capillary -feeder bait station 70.

[0104] Protective columns of electrically-shielded ribbing 82 are disposed to allow easy access to a target fly 84 between the ribbing gaps of adjacent columns, while the narrowness of the ribbing gaps prevents a person 86 from inadvertently contacting the electrical elements.

[0105] Figure 4B depicts a simplified “side” view of an alternating column of the capillaryfeeder and attractant-diffusion modules having electrical elements for providing an IAV as in Figure 4A, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary -feeder bait station 88 is shown having alternating capillary-feeder modules 72 and attractant-diffusion modules 74 having electrical elements 76, 78, and 80 (as in Figure 4A) in a column. Target fly 84 is shown resting on external electrical element 78 with its proboscis inserted into the capillary of a capillary-feeder module 72. Electrically-shielded ribbing 82 is also shown in Figure 4B. It is understood that the ribbing depicted is not enclosing target fly 84, but rather depicts (within the limitations of a 2D representation) the column “in front of’ the capillaryfeeder module 72 that the fly is feeding from.

[0106] Figure 4C depicts a simplified “front” view of an alternate, modular capillary-feeder bait station in a “checkerboard” layout as in Figure 3C having electrically-shielded ribbing, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 90 is shown having the alternating rows and columns of capillary-feeder modules 72 and attractant-diffusion modules 74 (as in Figures 4A and 4B, respectively), and the columns of electrically-shielded ribbing 82 as in Figures 4A and 4B. Electrical elements 76, 78, and 80 (of Figures 4A and 4B) are not shown in Figure 4C but are understood to be present in modular capillary-feeder bait station 90.

[0107] Figure 5A depicts a simplified “side” view of a modular capillary-feeder bait station in a “vertical-hanging” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 100 is shown attached to a rigid support structure 102 (e.g., a wall or bed net) in a “vertical-hanging” arrangement. Modular capillary-feeder bait station 100 includes at least one capillary-feeder module with a reservoir 104 and an “exterior” capillary 106 as in Figure 1 A.

[0108] Figure 5B depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary -feeder bait station as in Figure 5A in an alternate, “horizontal-hanging” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 108 is shown attached to a rigid support structure 110 (e.g., a ceiling, counter, table, or bed net) in an alternate, “horizontal-hanging” arrangement. Modular capillary -feeder bait station 108 includes at least one capillary -feeder module as in Figure 4A. Figure 5C depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary -feeder bait station as in Figure 5 A in an alternate, “tilted-hanging” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 112 is shown contacting a rigid support structure 114 (e.g., a wall or bed net) by means of a bait-station tilt support structure 116 (attached to both modular capillary-feeder bait station 112 and rigid support structure 114) in an alternate, “tilted-hanging” arrangement. Modular capillary-feeder bait station 112 includes at least one capillary-feeder module as in Figure 5A.

[0109] Such modular capillary-feeder bait stations can also be combined with artificial and / or natural sources of CO2 as a long-distance attractant. An artificial source of CO2 can be from propane combustion, while a natural source can be simply human- or animal-generated CO2 when such hosts are protected within roof eaves, window nettings, screens, and bed nets. As an example, the modular capillary -feeder bait stations can be attached to bed nets to exploit the natural attraction of the CO2 emitted by the host in the bed net. Such bed-net implementations of the modular capillary-feeder bait stations overcome the challenges encountered by conventional, pesticide-impregnated bed nets for which it has been shown that nuisance flies such as mosquitoes have developed resistance against.

[0110] These applications highlight the role of natural or man-made sources of CO2 as a major attractant for various types of nuisance flies such as mosquitoes. For window screening and roof eaves, CO2 is readily provided by emission from households, while people inhabiting bed nets can provide the source of CO2 attractant.

[0111] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can be incorporated into conventional fly traps to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. As an example, the conventional mechanical components used in CCh-based traps for capture or control such as suction by ventilators or electrical discharge by electric grids used in bug zappers can act as a deterrent with regard to attraction - both mechanisms repel attracted mosquitoes / flies to a certain degree.

[0112] In the case of CO2 traps, the ventilator airflow can repel approaching mosquitoes / flies, while for electric zappers, the electromagnetic fields that are produced can repel approaching mosquitoes / flies as well. Modular capillary-feeder bait stations as described herein can overcome the reduced efficacy caused by the repellent action of such ventilators in CCh-based traps and such fields created by electric grid zappers.

[0113] Figure 6A depicts a simplified “side” view of a modular capillary-feeder bait station in a “vertical-mounting” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 120 is shown attached to a rigid support structure 122 (e.g., a stick, pole, or rod) in a “vertical-mounting” arrangement. Modular capillary -feeder bait station 120 includes at least one capillary-feeder module with a reservoir 124 and an “exterior” capillary 126 as in Figure 1 A.

[0114] Figure 6B depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary -feeder bait station as in Figure 6A in an alternate, “horizontal-mounting” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 128 is shown attached to rigid support structure 122 in an alternate, “horizontal-mounting” arrangement. Modular capillaryfeeder bait station 128 includes at least one capillary-feeder module as in Figure 6A.

[0115] Figure 6C depicts a simplified “side” view of the modular capillary -feeder bait station as in Figure 6A in an alternate, “roof-mounting” arrangement, according to embodiments of the present invention. A modular capillary-feeder bait station 130 is shown attached to rigid support structure 122 in an alternate, “roof-mounting” arrangement. Modular capillary-feeder bait station 130 includes at least two capillary-feeder modules as in Figure 6A with at least one module in each “roof’ section of modular capillary -feeder bait station 130. Such modular capillary -feeder bait stations can be formed with a plurality of capillaryfeeder modules made from a wide range of rigid materials that can hold liquid. Attractantdiffusion modules can be interspersed with the capillary-feeder modules in a multitude of arrangements (e.g., a honeycomb-like structure) to meet the needs of the specific application. Such capillary-feeder modules can have a typical length ranging from 1 to 5 mm. As an example of how such modular bait stations can be further combined to form larger layout structures, individual honeycomb units can be combined to form larger layout structures as needed.

[0116] Such units can be oriented horizontally, vertically, upside down, and / or suspended from surfaces with the open capillary exit orifices of the capillary-feeder modules accessible for feeding with capillary action preventing bait leakage. Depending on the choice of bait- station layout and orientation, the bottom of such larger units can be utilized as a protective cover from environmental influences (e.g., rain, dust, and sun). Such units can be further combined into three-dimensional layout structures.

[0117] Capillary-feeder modules and attractant-diffusion modules in such modular capillaryfeeder bait stations can all be uniformly filled with the same feeding stimulant / toxin mixture and attractant (or alternatively with an IAV as the lethal agent), respectively. Or, a combination of several feeding stimulant / toxin mixtures (or employing an IAV without the need for a toxin) can be implemented in a bait station by filling some capillary-feeder modules with one mixture and others with another mixture. The same procedure can be applied to the attractant-diffusion modules in order to deploy multiple, separate attractants in the bait station. The various modules may have different structural shapes and dimensions (e.g., smaller diameter capillaries for liquid toxic baits in the capillary-feeder modules and large sachets with slow-release substances for the attractant-diffusion modules). While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications, equivalent structural elements, combinations, sub-combinations, and other applications of the present invention may be made.

[0118] LITERATURE

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Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 29 December 2025 (29.12.2025)The following is a complete listing of the clean amended claims. A complete listing of the marked-up amended claims follows the set below.

1. A modular capillary-feeder bait station for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis, the modular capillary-feeder bait station comprising:(a) at least one capillary-feeder module, each said capillary-feeder module includes:(i) a respective liquid bait having at least one respective material conducive to sugar-based feeding and / or blood-based feeding of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of: a sugar feeding stimulant, a sugar- substitute feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate-substitute feeding stimulant, a blood feeding stimulant, and a blood-surrogate feeding stimulant;(ii) a respective reservoir configured for holding said respective liquid bait in a respective bait volume;(iii) a respective capillary connected to, and / or integrally part of, said respective reservoir, said respective capillary configured for providing feeding access to said respective liquid bait to the nuisance flies via insertion of the flies’ proboscis while preventing loss of said respective liquid bait due to dripping or evaporation, regardless of the orientation of the exit orifice of said respective capillary relative to the direction of gravity; and(iv) a respective optical target configured for providing a high-contrast pattern of a light-to-dark contrast pairing, or a dark-to-light contrastAMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)pairing, to said respective capillary relative to said respective reservoir to serve as a visual guide for attracting the nuisance flies to the exit orifice of said respective capillary; and(b) at least one attractant-diffusion module configured for attracting the nuisance flies to the general vicinity of said at least one attractant-diffusion module, each said attractant-diffusion module includes:(i) a respective attractant having at least one respective material conducive to attraction of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of: a dry attractant, a water-soluble attractant, an oil-soluble attractant, an encased slow-release pellet attractant, a liquid attractant, a powder attractant, a ground-fruit attractant, and a flower-part attractant; and(ii) a respective attractant-diffusion mesh containing a respective absorbent material configured for containing said respective attractant and configured for regulating diffusion of said respective attractant; wherein said each capillary-feeder module is proximally disposed to at least one of said at least one attractant-diffusion module; and wherein said respective optical target is configured for enhancing the residence times of the nuisance flies at the exit orifice of said respective capillary when the general vicinity of said at least one of said at least one attractant-diffusion module does not enable the nuisance flies to effectively find the exit orifice of said respective capillary.

2. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein said respective liquid bait includes at least one insect toxin selected from the group consisting of: an oral toxin, a gut toxin, and a contact toxin.AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)3. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein said respective capillary is selected from the group consisting of: an exterior capillary, an interior capillary, and an internal bore-hole capillary.

4. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein said respective optical target is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a capillary -orifice contrast, a capillary-orifice background contrast, and a reservoir background contrast.

5. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein said respective attractant-diffusion mesh is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a fabric component, a sponge component, and a fibrous component.

6. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein at least one of said each attractant-diffusion module further includes:(iii) a respective attractant-diffusion membrane configured for regulating controlled release of said respective attractant.

7. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein at least one of said each capillary-feeder module further includes:(v) a respective arrestant coating configured for exciting the nuisance flies upon landing on a surface of said respective reservoir, said respective capillary, and / or said respective optical target.

8. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 1, wherein at least one of said each capillary-feeder module further includes:AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)(v) at least two respective electrical elements configured for providing an intermittently-applied voltage (IAV), serving as a lethal agent to the nuisance flies upon contact without repelling the nuisance flies, between an electrically-grounded element and an electrically-biased element wherein:(A) said at least two respective electrical elements are selected from the group consisting of: a conducting electrode, an embedded grid, a wire mesh, a bait-soluble electrolyte, an internal electrical element, an external electrical element, an embedded electrical element, and an electrically-isolated spacer element; and(B) at least one respective electrical element is proximally disposed to the exit orifice of said respective capillary.

9. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 8, wherein at least one of said each capillary-feeder module further includes:(vi) at least one respective electrically-shielded ribbing configured for preventing an accidental electrical discharge from said at least two respective electrical elements, said at least one respective electrically- shielded ribbing proximally disposed in front of the exit orifice of said respective capillary.

10. A method for attraction, feeding, and control of nuisance flies that feed via a proboscis using a modular capillary-feeder bait station, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing at least one capillary-feeder module, each said capillary-feeder module including:AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)(i) a respective liquid bait having at least one respective material conducive to sugar-based feeding and / or blood-based feeding of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of: a sugar feeding stimulant, a sugar- substitute feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate feeding stimulant, a carbohydrate-substitute feeding stimulant, a blood feeding stimulant, and a blood-surrogate feeding stimulant;(ii) a respective reservoir configured for holding said respective liquid bait in a respective bait volume;(iii) a respective capillary connected to, and / or integrally part of, said respective reservoir, said respective capillary configured for providing feeding access to said respective liquid bait to the nuisance flies via insertion of the flies’ proboscis while preventing loss of said respective liquid bait due to dripping or evaporation, regardless of the orientation of the exit orifice of said respective capillary relative to the direction of gravity; and(iv) a respective optical target configured for providing a high-contrast pattern of a light-to-dark contrast pairing, or a dark-to-light contrast pairing, to said respective capillary relative to said respective reservoir to serve as a visual guide for attracting the nuisance flies to the exit orifice of said respective capillary; and(b) providing at least one attractant-diffusion module configured for attracting the nuisance flies to the general vicinity of said at least one attractant-diffusion module, each said attractant-diffusion module includes:(i) a respective attractant having at least one respective material conducive to attraction of the nuisance flies selected from the group consisting of:AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)a dry attractant, a water-soluble attractant, an oil-soluble attractant, an encased slow-release pellet attractant, a liquid attractant, a powder attractant, a ground-fruit attractant, and a flower-part attractant; and(ii) a respective attractant-diffusion mesh containing a respective absorbent material configured for containing said respective attractant and configured for regulating diffusion of said respective attractant;(c) proximally disposing said each capillary -feeder module to at least one of said at least one attractant-diffusion module; wherein said respective optical target is configured for enhancing the residence times of the nuisance flies at the exit orifice of said respective capillary when the general vicinity of said at least one of said at least one attractant-diffusion module does not enable the nuisance flies to effectively find the exit orifice of said respective capillary.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said respective liquid bait includes at least one insect toxin selected from the group consisting of: an oral toxin, a gut toxin, and a contact toxin.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said respective capillary is selected from the group consisting of: an exterior capillary, an interior capillary, and an internal bore-hole capillary.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said respective optical target is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a capillary-orifice contrast, a capillary-orifice background contrast, and a reservoir background contrast.AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)14. The method of claim 10, wherein said respective attractant-diffusion mesh is at least one element selected from the group consisting of: a fabric component, a sponge component, and a fibrous component.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said each attractant-diffusion module further includes:(iii) a respective attractant-diffusion membrane configured for regulating controlled release of said respective attractant.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said each capillary-feeder module further includes:(v) a respective arrestant coating configured for exciting the nuisance flies upon landing on a surface of said respective reservoir, said respective capillary, and / or said respective optical target.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of said each capillary-feeder module further includes:(v) at least two respective electrical elements configured for providing an intermittently-applied voltage (IAV), serving as a lethal agent to the nuisance flies upon contact without repelling the nuisance flies, between an electrically-grounded element and an electrically-biased element wherein:(A) said at least two respective electrical elements are selected from the group consisting of: a conducting electrode, an embedded grid, a wire mesh, a bait-soluble electrolyte, an internal electricalAMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)element, an external electrical element, an embedded electrical element, and an electrically-isolated spacer element; and(B) at least one respective electrical element is proximally disposed to the exit orifice of said respective capillary.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of said each capillary-feeder module further includes:(vi) at least one respective electrically-shielded ribbing configured for preventing an accidental electrical discharge from said at least two respective electrical elements, said at least one respective electrically- shielded ribbing proximally disposed in front of the exit orifice of said respective capillary.

19. The modular capillary -feeder bait station of claim 8, wherein an intermittency time interval of said IAV is configured to be less than a maximum feeding time interval of the nuisance flies to prevent a voltage-induced repellent effect on the nuisance flies.

20. The method of claim 17, said at least two respective electrical elements are further configured for:(C) to apply said IAV with an intermittency time interval that is less than a maximum feeding time interval of the nuisance flies to prevent a voltage-induced repellent effect on the nuisance flies.AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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