Pheromone Composition Positional Isomers Crop Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insecticides cause significant crop losses and environmental harm, leading to the development of resistant insect populations and disrupting beneficial insect populations, necessitating a safer alternative for insect management.

Innovation Solution

A pheromone composition comprising a synthetically derived natural insect pheromone and its positional isomer, specifically designed to modify the behavior of target Lepidoptera species, such as Helicoverpa and Plutella, by attracting and disrupting mating behaviors without harming beneficial insects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If broad-spectrum insecticides are used to control crop losses, then crop protection is improved, but environmental harm and harm to beneficial insects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop damageVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using species-specific pheromones that target only particular pest species (e.g., Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella) rather than broad-spectrum insecticides. The pheromone composition is tailored to the specific chemical signaling patterns of target pests, allowing selective control that spares beneficial insects and reduces environmental harm while maintaining effective crop protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pheromones as intermediary substances that exploit the natural chemical communication systems of target pests. By introducing synthetic pheromones that mimic or disrupt the natural mating signals of specific pest species, the system achieves pest control through behavioral modification rather than direct toxicity, thereby avoiding the environmental and ecological damage associated with conventional insecticides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If broad-spectrum insecticides are used to combat pest infestations, then crop protection is improved, but resistant insect populations evolve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop damageVSAvoidinsecticide effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of killing pests directly with toxic insecticides, using pheromones to manipulate pest behavior. The synthetic pheromone composition disrupts mating behaviors and confuses pest orientation, preventing reproduction rather than relying on lethal effects. This behavioral disruption mechanism does not select for resistance in the same way toxic insecticides do, thereby maintaining long-term effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by using specific ratios of pheromone components (e.g., Z-11-hexadecenal and Z-9-hexadecenal in various proportions) to optimize disruption effectiveness. By adjusting the compositional parameters of the pheromone mixture, the system can adapt to different pest populations and environmental conditions, preventing the development of resistance through variable chemical presentations rather than constant toxic exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If broad-spectrum insecticides are used to control pest populations, then crop protection is improved, but beneficial insect populations are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop damageVSAvoidselectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If positional isomers are included in pheromone compositions, then behavioral disruption effectiveness is improved, but composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebehavioral disruption effectivenessVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple pheromone components and their positional isomers into a single composite pheromone formulation. By combining Z-11-hexadecenal, Z-9-hexadecenal, and their respective positional isomers in specific ratios, the system achieves enhanced behavioral disruption effectiveness through synergistic interactions among components, while the merged formulation simplifies application compared to using multiple separate substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10045530B2Agricultural pheromone compositions comprising positional isomers

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 PROVIVI INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides pheromone compositions. In some aspects, the compositions taught herein comprise a pheromone chemically corresponding to the pheromone naturally produced by a given insect, along with at least one positional isomer of said pheromone. In various aspects, pheromone compositions of the present disclosure are able to modulate the response of the insect based on the ratio of natural pheromone to its positional isomer.