INSECT ATTRACTION THROUGH SPATIAL PARTITIONING OF ATTRACTANTS

An insect attracting station comprising a housing, a first attractant, and a second attractant. The housing at least in part defines an insect-receiving chamber. The housing is adapted and configured to permit ingress of insects into the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is positioned external to the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is adapted to lure insects toward the insect-receiving chamber. The housing and the 18 second attractant are adapted and configured such that the second attractant emits an odor from the insect-receiving chamber to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber. The second attractant is different from the first attractant.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The field of the invention pertains generally to insect attracting stations that provide for spatial partitioning of particular baits.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention is an insect attracting station comprising a housing, a first attractant, and a second attractant. The housing at least in part defines an insect-receiving chamber. The housing is adapted and configured to permit ingress of insects into the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is positioned external to the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is adapted to lure insects toward the insect-receiving chamber. The housing and the second attractant are adapted and configured such that the second attractant emits an odor from the insect-receiving chamber to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber. The second attractant is different from the first attractant.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of attracting insects into an insect-receiving chamber of a housing of an insect-attracting station. The method comprises causing a first attractant to emit an odor from the insect-attracting station and causing a second attractant to emit an odor from the insect-receiving chamber to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is adapted to lure insects toward the insect-receiving chamber.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of inducing a user to attract insects into an insect-receiving chamber of a housing of an insect-attracting station. The method comprises inducing a user to cause a first attractant to emit an odor from the insect-attracting station and to cause a second attractant to emit an odor from the insect-receiving chamber to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is adapted to lure insects toward the insect-receiving chamber.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of attracting insects into an insect-receiving chamber of a housing of an insect-attracting station. The method comprises causing a first attractant to emit an odor and causing a second attractant to emit an odor from the insect-receiving chamber to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber. The first attractant is adapted and positioned to lure insects toward the insect-receiving chamber.

Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein are insect attracting stations, methods of their use, and methods of their manufacture wherein a first and a second attractant are spatially partitioned. Spatial partitioning is achieved by having a first attractant positioned external to or spaced from the insect-receiving chamber of the station and by having a housing and the second attractant adapted and configured such that the second attractant emits an odor from the insect-receiving chamber to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber. In certain embodiments, the insect attracting stations provided herein have a higher rate of insect ingress into the insect-receiving chamber than if both the first and second attractants emitted odors from the insect-receiving chamber. In certain embodiments, the rate of ingress for the insect attracting stations and associated methods provided herein is increased by at least 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 8-, or 10-fold in comparison to a station wherein both the first and second attractants emitted odors from the insect-receiving chamber. In certain embodiments, such rates of ingress are reflected in increased numbers of insects attracted into the insect-receiving chamber of the insect attracting stations provided herein over a given unit of time as compared to the numbers of insects attracted into the insect-receiving chamber of a station wherein both the first and second attractants emitted odors from the insect-receiving chamber over that same unit of time.

Illustrative and non-limiting embodiments of an insect attracting station having spatial partitioning of first and second attractants are described below in reference toFIGS. 1-8. An embodiment of an insect attracting station of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral10inFIGS. 1-2. In this embodiment, the insect attracting station10comprises a housing12, a first attractant14, and a second attractant16.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-2, the housing12comprises a top18, a bottom20, and a wall portion22. The wall portion22extends from the top18to the bottom20. The housing12can be formed of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, polymers, glass, ceramic, wood, metal, and combinations thereof. Although the housing12is shown as being cylindrical-shaped inFIGS. 1-2, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the housing could be a myriad of shapes, including, but not limited to, rectangular, cubed, spherical, pyramidal, and conical. In this embodiment, the top18and the wall portion22of the housing12are solid, and the bottom20comprises a plurality of entry openings26. The entry openings26are adapted to enable an insect to pass therethrough. AlthoughFIG. 2shows three entry openings26, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the bottom20could have more than three entry openings or less than three entry openings.

As shown inFIG. 2, the housing12further comprises an insect-directing funnel28. The funnel28may be cone-shaped or of any other suitable funnel shape. The funnel28is adjacent the bottom20and is surrounded by the wall portion22. The funnel28is distinct from the bottom20and comprises a first end30and a second end32. The first end30has a width that is substantially equivalent to the width of the bottom20. The second end32has a width less than the width of the first end30. The second end32comprises an opening33that is adapted to enable insects to pass therethrough. Collectively, the region bounded by the top18, the wall portion22, and the funnel28constitutes an insect-receiving chamber34. The funnel28is adapted such that insects that have passed through the entry openings26of the housing12are funneled toward the insect-receiving chamber34. Preferably, the second opening32of the funnel28is adapted to deter egress of insects from the insect-receiving chamber34. It is to be understood that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the insect attracting stations traps insects within the insect-receiving chamber.

The insect attracting station10further comprises a hang line36. The hang line36enables the insect attracting station10to be hung from a suitable location (e.g., a tree branch, a pole). The hang line36can be of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, metal, polymers, fibers (e.g., cotton), and combinations thereof.

In this embodiment, the first attractant14of the insect attracting station10is positioned adjacent an external surface of the top18of the housing12. Accordingly, the first attractant14is external to the insect-receiving chamber34. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the first attractant12could be positioned on a different external surface of the housing12. For example, the first attractant12could be positioned on an external surface of the wall portion22. The first attractant14is adapted to lure insects toward the insect-receiving chamber34. In certain embodiments, the first attractant14is adapted to lure insects from a region remote from the insect-receiving chamber34to a region adjacent the housing12.

In this embodiment, the second attractant16of the insect attracting station10is positioned on an internal surface of the wall portion22of the housing12. Accordingly, the second attractant16is positioned within the insect-receiving chamber34. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the first attractant12could be positioned on a different internal surface of the housing12. For example, the first attractant12could be positioned on an internal surface of the top18. The second attractant16is positioned such that it emits an odor from the insect-receiving chamber34to lure insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber to within the insect-receiving chamber.

It is to be understood that a variety of combinations of first and second attractants can be used in the insect attracting stations and associated methods provided herein. In one embodiment, the first and second attractants are adapted to lure at least one insect species from the Orders Diptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, or Lepidoptera. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second attractants are adapted to lure at least one of a yellow jacket, hornet, or wasp. In another alternative embodiment, the first and second attractants are adapted to lure wasp species in the genusVespula.In yet another alternative embodiment, the first and second attractants, alone or in combination, are unable to attract mosquitos. In certain embodiments, the first attractant14comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of heptyl butryrate, butyl butryrate, isobutanol, 2-methyl butanol, and 3-methyl butanol. In certain embodiments, the second attractant16comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, fish, fish essence, a fish constituent, a fish decomposition product, meat, meat essence, a meat constituent, a meat decomposition product, and a meat extract. In certain embodiments, each of the first and second attractants is adapted to lure at least one of a yellow jacket, hornet, or wasp, the first attractant comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of heptyl butryrate, butyl butryrate, isobutanol, 2-methyl butanol, and 3-methyl butanol, and wherein the second attractant comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, fish, fish essence, a fish constituent, a fish decomposition product, meat, meat essence, a meat constituent, a meat decomposition product, and a meat extract. In certain aspects of the aforementioned embodiment, each of the first and second attractants is adapted to lure a wasp species in the genusVespula.Illustrative and non-limiting examples of first and second attractants that can be used in the context of the insect attracting stations and methods provided herein are shown in Table 1.

In operation, the insect-attracting station10is placed in an environment having insects of the type to be attracted by the first and second attractants14,16. Environments having insects of the type to be attracted include both outdoor environments (e.g. yards, parks, picnic areas, and the like) and indoor environments (e.g. food preparation and processing areas, dining areas, storage areas, and the like). For example, the insect-attracting station10can be hung via the hanging line36from a tree branch, a pole, a ceiling, or any structure located within an environment having insects of the type to be attracted by the first and second attractants14,16. In certain aspects, the insect-attracting station10can be affixed to a tree branch, a pole, a ceiling, or any structure located within an environment having insects of the type to be attracted by the first and second attractants14,16with a rod, an adhesive, or other type of attachment. The first attractant14located on the external surface of the top18of the housing12emits an odor from the insect-attracting station10. The odor of the first attractant14lures insects toward the insect-receiving chamber34. Without seeking to be limited by theory, it is believed that the first attractant14lures insects from a region remote from the insect-receiving chamber34. The second attractant16located on the internal surface of the wall portion22of the housing12emits an odor from the insect-receiving chamber34. The odor of the second attractant16is emitted from the insect-receiving chamber34via the entry openings26located at the bottom20of the housing12. The odor from the second attractant16lures insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber34to within the insect-receiving chamber. More specifically, the odor of the second attractant16being emitted from the insect-receiving chamber34lures insects through the entry openings26. The funnel28then funnels the insects that have passed through the entry openings26toward the insect-receiving chamber34. Ultimately, the insects pass into the insect-receiving chamber34via the opening33of the funnel28. After the insects are located within the insect-receiving chamber34, the second opening32of the funnel28deters the egress of the insects from the insect-receiving chamber. The funnel28deters egress because trapped insects tend to fly upward (negative geotaxis) and toward light (positive phototaxis). Because of this, they are very unlikely to either encounter or escape through the second opening32of the funnel28.

Another alternative embodiment of an insect-receiving station can be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, and is indicated generally by reference numeral110. The insect-receiving station110is similar in function and design to the insect-receiving station10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2except for the differences noted within this paragraph. The insect-receiving station110comprises a second chamber112that is distinct from the insect-receiving chamber34. The second chamber112is partially defined by a second housing114that includes an end wall116and a side wall118. The second housing114is located adjacent the top18of the housing12. As can be seen inFIG. 4, the second chamber112comprises the region bounded by the top18of the housing12and the end wall116and side wall118of the housing114. As such, the second chamber112is separated from the insect-receiving chamber34by the top18of the housing12. The first attractant14is located within the second chamber112. The top116of the housing114contains a plurality of holes120adapted such that the odor of the first attractant is emitted from the second chamber.

An alternative embodiment of an insect-receiving station is shown inFIG. 5is indicated generally by reference numeral210. The insect-receiving station210is similar in function and design to the insect-receiving station10shown inFIGS. 1-2except for the differences noted within this paragraph. The insect-receiving station comprises a housing212having a top218, a wall portion222, and a funnel228. The funnel228is formed integral with the wall portion222. The funnel228comprises an opening233enabling insects to pass therethrough and enter the insect-receiving chamber234. In operation, the odor of the second attractant16is emitted from the insect-receiving chamber234via the opening233. The odor from the second attractant16lures insects from outside of the insect-receiving chamber234to within the insect-receiving chamber. More specifically, the odor of the second attractant16being emitted from the insect-receiving chamber234lures insects into a region of the funnel228. The funnel228then funnels the insects toward the insect-receiving chamber234. The insects enter the insect-receiving chamber234via the opening233of funnel228.

Yet another alternative embodiment of an insect-receiving station is shown inFIGS. 6-7and is indicated generally by reference numeral310. The insect-receiving station310is similar in function and design to the insect-receiving station10shown inFIGS. 1-2except for the differences noted within this paragraph. The insect-receiving station310comprises a housing312having a bottom320, a wall portion322, a first funnel328and a second funnel338. The region bounded by the first funnel328, the wall portion322, and the second funnel338constitutes the insect-receiving chamber334. The second funnel338has a first end340and a second end342. The second funnel338is formed integral with the wall portion322such that the first end340has a width that is substantially equivalent to the wall portion322. The second end342has an opening344. The second end342has a width that is less than the width of the first end340. The second funnel342is adapted such that insects within the insect-receiving chamber334are funneled out of the insect-receiving chamber via opening344. An internal surface of the second funnel342is coated with an insecticide346. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the insecticide could also be coated on some or all of the other surfaces that define the insect-receiving chamber, such as an outer surface of the first funnel328or an internal surface of the wall portion322. The insecticide346is configured to be contacted and transported away from the insect attracting station310via insects attracted into the insect-receiving chamber334.

Yet another alternative embodiment of an insect-receiving station can be seen inFIG. 8and is indicated generally by reference numeral410. The insect-receiving station410is similar in function and design to the insect-receiving station10except for the differences noted within this paragraph. The insect-receiving station410comprises an element442adapted to destroy insects. The element442is located within the insect-receiving chamber434adjacent the opening432of funnel428. In operation, insects will enter the insect-receiving chamber434via opening432. The element442is oriented near the opening432in a manner such that at least some of the insects entering into the insect-receiving chamber434come into contact with a surface of the element. Upon contacting the surface of the element442, an insect is destroyed. Such destruction can be immediate or delayed. Immediate destruction can be effected in certain embodiments where the element transmits electricity to the insect when contacted by the insect. Delayed destruction can occur in certain embodiments where the element comprises one or more insecticides. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that location of the element442within the insect-receiving chamber434could be adjusted. A person of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that additional elements could be utilized in conjunction the insect-receiving station410.

In certain embodiments, an insect attracting station can comprise first and second attractants wherein the first attractant is detached from the insect-receiving chamber but positioned in proximity to the chamber and the second attractant emits an odor from an insect-receiving chamber. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the proximity of the first attractant to the chamber will be sufficient to allow for a higher rate of insect ingress into the insect-receiving chamber than if both the first and second attractants emitted odors from the insect-receiving chamber. In certain embodiments, the proximity of the first attractant to the chamber will be sufficient to allow for a higher rate of insect ingress into the insect-receiving chamber than if only the second attractant was provided and only the second attractant emitted odors from the insect-receiving chamber.

Inclusion of various references herein is not to be construed as any admission that such references represent art that in any way anticipates or suggests any of the embodiments presented herein.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. It should also be understood that the overall orientation of any of the above-described exemplary embodiments could be rotated when the insect attracting station is in use.

It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies.

EXAMPLES

Side by Side Trap Experiments

Two traps were placed side by side, one containing chicken meat only while the other containing both chicken meat and heptyl butyrate (HB) in an enclosure containing Western Yellowjackets,Vespula pensylvanica.Amount of heptyl butyrate used per trap was several drops of 100% heptyl butyrate on a cotton ball estimated to be a volume of about 0.10 to 0.25 mL. Traps containing chicken meat alone captured more yellowjackets than those traps containing both chicken meat and heptyl butyrate. (Table 1). This was consistent with our preliminary finding of effective long range heptyl butrate attraction but an attraction that did not lead to greater trap catch. We observed, as previously reported, that heptyl butyrate is highly attractive to yellowjackets. Yellowjackets flew from a distance to visit the releasing point of heptyl butyrate. However, we observed that while yellowjackets attempted but failed to enter traps containing heptyl butyrate, they entered traps containing chicken meat readily without hesitation. In this experiment, yellowjackets were attracted from a long distance by the heptyl butyrate released from the trap. However, once the yellowjackets arrived in the vicinity of the traps containing either heptyl butyrate or chicken meat, they entered the traps containing only chicken meat. This suggested that heptyl butyrate was repelling yellowjackets from entering the traps containing chicken meat and heptyl butyrate.

Testing of Traps Containing Different Attractants and Combinations of Attractants

In another study, we placed 4 traps together, each containing a different attractant or combination of attractants. We found that again, while yellowjackets were attracted to the traps by heptyl butyrate, they more frequently entered traps containing chicken. Very few were captured by traps containing heptyl butyrate only. Even more surprising, addition of heptyl butyrate to the trap containing chicken caused a significant reduction in trap capture (Tables 2, 3, and 4). This clearly indicated that heptyl butyrate was repelling yellowjackets from entering the trap. This effect was not unique to any particular traps but was observed with traps of different design (Tables 2, 3, and 4).

TABLE 3Comparison of trap captures of yellow jacket between trapscontaining chicken meat and that containing heptyl butyrate. Victor ® Poison Free ®Yellow Jacket & Flying Insect Traps (Woodstream, Lititz, PA, USA) were used forthis experiment. The Victor ® traps have openings on the top of theinsect-receiving chamber and insects have to move downward to enter the traps. Thisis different from the Rescue ® trap (Sterling International, Inc., Spokane, WA, USA)and the Apex trap, both of which have entry holes on the bottom of receivingchamber. All 4 Victor ® traps shown in Table were placed together.15 min3 hrsChickenChickenMeatMeatandandChickenHeptylHeptylChickenHeptylHeptylBlankMeatbutyrateButyrateBlankMeatbutyrateButyrateSite 1010001702Site 202000301Site 304000600Site 4030102634Site 50500035016Total01501087323

TABLE 4Comparison of trap captures of yellow jackets between trapscontaining chicken meat and traps containing heptyl butyrate. Apex traps having aninsect-receiving chamber with openings on the bottom of the chamber that permitinsects to enter the chamber but deter insects from leaving the chamber wereused in this experiment. All 4 Apex traps were placed together.15 min3 hrsChickenChickenMeatMeatandandChickenHeptylHeptylChickenHeptylHeptylBlankMeatbutyrateButyrateBlankMeatbutyrateButyrateSite 100000411Site 2010001511Site 3020001202Site 400000001Site 5000001713Site 6000001002Site 700000301Total0300057210

Effect of Placing Heptyl Butyrate Within or Outside of Traps Containing Chicken Meat

When each trap was placed separately, we found that traps containing chicken meat only did not capture many yellowjackets. This indicated that without heptyl butyrate to attract yellowjackets, chicken meat was effective in attracting yellowjackets to the trap. However, if heptyl butyrate was released immediately outside the trap that contained chicken meat, then a large number of yellowjackets were captured. This is because heptyl butyrate attracted yellowjackets to the trap and then chicken meat induced yellowjackets to enter the trap. However, if the heptyl butyrate was placed inside the trap, observations demonstrated that it did attract yellowjackets to the trap but deterred them from entering the trap. In comparison, the chicken meat flavor does not deter yellowjackets from entering the trap. These findings indicate a strong synergistic effect of the two types of attractants: one (heptyl butyrate) attracted insects from a long distance to near the trap while another non-repellent attractant induced the yellow jackets to enter the trap. This mechanism should work similarly with other insect bait stations where we would have an attractant to attract insects near the station and then another non-repellent attractant to induce the insect into the station to feed on the bait.

TABLE 5Effects of location of yellow jacket attractant heptyl butyrate ontrap capture of yellow jackets. Traps contained either chicken meat or heptyl butyrateor both chicken meat and heptyl butyrate. When both chicken meat and heptylbutyrate were used, chicken meat was placed inside the trap while heptyl butyratewas placed either inside or outside of the trap. Apex traps having an insect-receivingchamber with openings on the bottom of the chamber that permit insects to enter thechamber but deter insects from leaving the chamber were used in this experiment.Within each testing site, each trap was placed separately with minimum 20 feetbetween two traps. Two test sites were separated at least by 300 feet.15 min3 hrsChickenChickenChickenMeatChickenMeatMeatandMeatandChickenHeptyland HBHBChickenHeptyland HBHBMeatbutyrateInsideoutsideMeatbutyrateInsideoutsideSite 1001000245Site 2000020019Site 3000200516Site 4000232117Site 510102014Site 6000100012Total1025729113

Similar Results are Obtained with Other Types of Meat Baits when Combined with Heptyl Butyrate Inside a Trap

In independent experiments, both pork meat and beef flavor were found to have an inhibitory effect at a 3 hour time point when combined with heptyl butyrate inside a trap.

TABLE 6Comparison of trap captures of yellow jacket between trapscontaining pork meat alone and traps containing heptyl butyrate either alone orinside the trap with the pork meat. Apex traps having an insect-receiving chamberwith openings on the bottom of the chamber that permit insects to enter the chamberbut deter insects from leaving the chamber were used in this experiment. All 4traps were placed together. Sites 7-9 were conducted in different day and thefinal reading were taken at 5 hours after trap placement.15 min3 hrs or 5 hrs1PorkPorkMeatMeatandandHeptylHeptylHeptylHeptylBlankPork MeatbutyrateButyrateBlankPork MeatbutyrateButyrateSite 100000600Site 200000502Site 300000010Site 400000301Site 500000802Site 6020001615Site 70204020013Site 80505035018Site 900000500Total0909098241Sites 1-3 were read after 5 hours

TABLE 7Comparison of trap capture of yellow jackets between trapscontaining meat flavor and traps containing heptyl butyrate. Apex traps having aninsect-receiving chamber with openings on the bottom of the chamber that permitinsects to enter the chamber but deter insects from leaving the chamber were usedin this experiment. All 4 traps were placed together. Sites 1-3 were conducted ondifferent days and the final readings were taken at 3 or 5 hours after trap placement.15 min3 hrs or 5 hrsBeefBeefFlavorFlavorandandBeefHeptylHeptylBeefHeptylHeptylBlankFlavorbutyrateButyrateBlankFlavorbutyrateButyrateSite 101000300Site 200110918Site 3000001213Site 400000713Site 5000008013Site 6000001824Total0111057531

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