Alkyl Ester Lure for Stink Bug Attraction and Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack an effective and economical attractant for stink bugs (Hemiptera) that can be used in combination with pesticides for monitoring and controlling stink bug populations, particularly for major corn and soybean crop pests like Diceraeus melacanthus and Euschistus heros.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising an alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid, such as Ethyl-2,4-decadienoate (Pear ester), which can be used as a monolithic lure, blended with insecticides for an attract and kill formulation, or deployed in bait stations, to attract and suppress stink bug populations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional insecticides are used for stink bug control, then pest mortality is achieved, but environmental impact increases and economic efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoideconomic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pest control approach into two distinct components: (1) a monitoring trap using alkyl ester attractant to detect and concentrate stink bugs, and (2) a separate insecticide application. This segmentation allows for precise, targeted insecticide use only where pests are detected, reducing overall environmental impact while maintaining economic efficiency through early intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring trap using alkyl ester attractant performs preliminary detection and concentration of stink bugs before insecticide application. This preliminary action enables early intervention at lower pest population levels, reducing the quantity of insecticide needed and thereby decreasing environmental impact while improving economic efficiency through preventive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If monitoring traps with attractants are deployed, then pest detection capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable monitoring traps containing alkyl ester attractant that are deployed temporarily for detection purposes. These simple, low-cost traps provide effective pest detection capability without requiring complex infrastructure, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If attract and kill formulations are used, then pest control effectiveness increases, but quantity of substance required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidinsecticide quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control strategy into monitoring (attractant-only traps) and treatment (insecticide application) phases. The attractant traps concentrate pests at specific locations, enabling highly targeted insecticide application that achieves effective pest control with minimal insecticide quantity, thereby improving reliability while reducing substance quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alkyl ester attractant serves as an intermediary that mediates between the pest population and the insecticide. By using the attractant to concentrate and locate pests, the system enables precise delivery of insecticide to where it is most needed, achieving high control effectiveness with reduced insecticide quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12082579B2Compositions and methods to manage hemiptera
Publication Date: 2024.09.10 ISCA TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Compositions and methods for affecting Hemiptera. The compositions contain an alkyl ester of (2,4)-decadienoic acid. The compositions attract Hemiptera. The compositions may further include a toxicant.