Artificial Semiochemical Matrix Flow Control for Coccoid Pest Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling coccoid insect pests, such as armored scales and soft scales, are ineffective due to their cryptic behavior, resistance to insecticides, and adverse environmental impacts, with biorational methods like sexual pheromones being costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an artificial semiochemical matrix with a controlled, constant emission flow of semiochemicals, optimized through iterative testing, to maximize male captures and reduce pest populations using a significantly lower amount of pheromones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical insecticides are used to control coccoid pests, then pest control effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and resistance development worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepest control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of chemical insecticides into a beneficial alternative by using sexual pheromones to attract male insects to traps, thereby controlling pest populations without chemical toxicity. The harm of chemical resistance and environmental damage is transformed into the benefit of ecological-friendly biological control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical system of insecticide application with a biological system using sexual pheromones. Instead of using chemical substances to kill pests, the system uses natural chemical signals (pheromones) to manipulate insect behavior and achieve population control through attraction and trapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sexual pheromones are used for pest control, then environmental impact is reduced, but control effectiveness worsens due to high costs and inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcontrol effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by using iterative optimization to dynamically adjust pheromone emission flows and diffuser configurations. Rather than using fixed, high amounts of pheromones, the system dynamically determines optimal emission rates through successive iterations, improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining environmental benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including pheromone emission flow rates, number of diffusers per hectare, and trap configurations through iterative optimization. By systematically varying these parameters to find optimal values, the system achieves effective pest control at lower pheromone doses, reducing costs while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high amounts of sexual pheromones are used, then male insect captures improve, but cost and semiochemical consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemale insect capture rateVSAvoidpheromone consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using just enough pheromone to achieve effective control rather than excessive amounts. Through iterative optimization, the system determines the minimum effective pheromone emission rate needed to attract sufficient male insects, avoiding waste and reducing costs while maintaining adequate capture rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where capture data from iterative testing informs subsequent optimization of pheromone emission rates. The system learns from each iteration's results, adjusting pheromone quantities based on actual capture performance, thereby achieving cost-effective control through data-driven parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves effective pest control with a substantial reduction in semiochemical use, comparable to chemical treatments, while minimizing environmental impact and costs.

Implementation Method 1

preparation of an artificial semiochemical matrix comprising: i. n diffusers of at least one semiochemical with an initial emission flow-1, substantially constant and known

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3732964B1Method for effectively controlling coccoidea insect pests

Publication Date: 2025.07.23 ECOLOGIA Y PROTECCION AGRI SL

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for determining the effective flow rate of at least one semiochemical for controlling at least one coccoid insect pest using an artificial semiochemical matrix, and use of the effective flow rate for effectively controlling at least one coccoid insect pest through the diffusion of at least one semiochemical.