Trunk Injection Insect Control via Pheromone Attraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling the diffusion of alien insect species, such as Popillia japonica Newman, are ineffective in reducing their advance and expansion, as mass traps are difficult to manage and require daily emptying, and specific bait devices do not adequately block their spread, especially since they can produce alarm pheromones and require inaccessible areas for treatment.
Innovation Solution
A prevention procedure involving the creation of a 'comfort zone' using pheromones to attract male insects to plants treated with insecticidal substances via trunk injection, allowing the insects to feed and die naturally without emitting alarm pheromones, thus eliminating them without the need for inaccessible areas or frequent trap emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mass traps are used to monitor and contain insect species, then monitoring capability is improved, but management complexity increases due to daily emptying requirements and insect disposal difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from the containment function by using trunk injection treatment instead of mass traps. The treatment directly eliminates insects in the population rather than collecting and monitoring them, thereby removing the need for daily trap emptying and insect disposal while still achieving population control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of insect alarm pheromones (which warn other insects of danger) into a benefit by using trunk injection treatment that eliminates insects before they can emit alarm pheromones. This prevents the alarm pheromone effect from triggering mass insect avoidance, allowing continuous treatment effectiveness without the management issues associated with mass traps
2Productivity
If mass traps are used to contain insect species, then containment effort is increased, but effectiveness decreases due to alarm pheromone production and insufficient population reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful alarm pheromone effect into a beneficial outcome by eliminating insects through trunk injection before they can emit alarm pheromones. This prevents other insects from being warned away, ensuring continuous treatment effectiveness and reliable population reduction without the limitations of mass trap containment
Solution Approach 2:
The trunk injection treatment creates a self-sustaining effect where the insecticidal substance is absorbed and distributed throughout the plant system, providing prolonged protection and continuous insect elimination without requiring frequent human intervention or trap maintenance, thereby improving both productivity and reliability
3Reliability
If trunk injection treatment is applied to eliminate insect species, then elimination effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards may arise from insecticidal substance exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the insecticidal treatment specifically in the trunk injection sites and allowing natural distribution only to areas where insects feed (foliage). This localized application minimizes unnecessary exposure to non-target areas and reduces safety hazards while maintaining high elimination effectiveness at the target sites
Solution Approach 2:
The plant itself acts as an intermediary carrier of the insecticidal substance. The substance is injected into the trunk and naturally transported through the plant's vascular system to the foliage, eliminating the need for direct application to leaves and reducing human exposure risks while maintaining effective concentrations where insects feed
4Object-affected harmful factors
If protected areas are created for treatment to ensure safety, then safety is improved, but accessibility and operational ease deteriorate due to inaccessible area requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety concern from the operational area by using trunk injection treatment that confines the insecticidal substance within the plant system. This eliminates the need to create protected or inaccessible areas around treatment zones, allowing continuous public access while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The plant serves as an intermediary that contains and controls the distribution of the insecticidal substance. By injecting the substance into the trunk and relying on the plant's natural transport mechanisms, the treatment is delivered safely to target areas (foliage) without requiring exclusion zones or restricted access, thereby maintaining both safety and accessibility
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
This procedure effectively attracts and eliminates alien insect species by targeting them with insecticidal substances through trunk injection, reducing their population without creating safety hazards or alarm pheromone alerts, and providing prolonged protection lasting at least a year without the need for extensive area containment.
Implementation Method 1
applying in the area of intervention an attractive substance, preferably a pheromone, suitable for attracting the entomological species in proximity to the plant species A
Implementation Method 2
performing an antiparasitic trunk injection treatment with an insecticidal substance on one or more plants of at least one plant species A present in the area of intervention Z so that the insecticidal substance is disseminated, in a lasting manner over time (at least one year), towards an epigeal part that can be assimilated by the entomological species
Implementation Method 3
the insecticidal substance is disseminated, in a lasting manner over time (at least one year), towards an epigeal part that can be assimilated by the entomological species attracted into the area of intervention Z by the duly applied attractive substance
Data Source
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AI summary
A preventive procedure for the control and management of the diffusion of at least one entomological infestant species comprises the following steps: identifying at least one entomological species it is intended to eliminate from a territory; identifying on the territory an area of intervention having a pre-established surface extent in which one or more plants of at least one plant species (A) palatable for the entomological species are present and/or can be planted in order to create an area favourable to the settlement and/or feeding and/or reproduction of the entomological species; optionally planting in the area of intervention at least one plant of one or more palatable plant species (A); applying, in the area of intervention, an attractive substance suitable for attracting the entomological species to where the palatable plant species (A) is located; carrying out a trunk injection treatment with an insecticidal substance on one or more plants of the palatable plant species (A) present in the area of intervention so that the insecticidal substance is disseminated towards an epigeal part that can be assimilated by the attracted entomological species, thereby assuring the control thereof.