Fatty Alcohol Arthropod Control via Hormone Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current insect growth regulators (IGRs) face issues such as selectivity to specific species, rapid degradation, limited effectiveness before insect molting, and belated mortality, making them economically unviable and ineffective for long-term pest control, especially when used without essential oils.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a fatty alcohol, a surface active agent, and a carrier that interrupts the production of adipokinetic hormones in arthropods, affecting energy regulation and nervous system function, derived from food stuffs and applied through contact or ingestion, with no essential oils used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If IGRs are used to control arthropod populations, then insect growth is interrupted, but belated mortality occurs causing consumer doubt

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidmortality timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the pest control composition by using fatty acid derivatives instead of traditional IGRs. This parameter change results in immediate mortality rather than belated mortality, resolving the timing issue while maintaining pest control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If IGRs are used to control arthropod populations, then insect growth is interrupted, but rapid degradation occurs in vivo

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidcompound stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical stability parameters by selecting fatty acid derivatives with specific chain lengths and structures that resist rapid degradation in vivo, thereby maintaining pest control effectiveness over a sustained period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If IGRs are used to control arthropod populations, then insect growth is interrupted, but selectivity to specific species reduces economic viability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidspecies selectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fatty acid derivatives that serve multiple functions across different arthropod species, providing broad-spectrum pest control. This universal approach eliminates the need for species-specific formulations, improving economic viability while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If IGRs are used to control arthropod populations, then insect growth is interrupted, but effectiveness is limited to special stages before molting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoideffectiveness duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameters of effectiveness by using fatty acid derivatives that act immediately upon contact or ingestion, regardless of the arthropod's developmental stage. This eliminates the limitation to pre-molting stages and provides continuous pest control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10653137B2Arthropod pest control composition and method

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 PERRY STEPHEN C

AI summary

A composition to affect an arthropod is described that may include a fatty alcohol, a surface active agent, and a carrier. The composition may include substantially no oil and interrupts production of adipokinetic hormones (AKH) in the arthropod. The composition is introducible to the arthropod via contact or via a liquid application such as a spray. A method of using the composition is described that may include introducing the composition to an environment, causing the arthropod be introduced to the composition, and affecting production of peptides in the arthropod via the composition that affect energy regulation of the arthropod.