FR3050358A1 - ELECTROCUTION SYSTEM FOR THE ELIMINATION OF PALM TREES AND OTHER PLANTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrotechnical system allowing the elimination, by electric discharges and electrocution, of all parasites, mainly red palm weevils and their larvae, of these palms and agaves. The invention will also be of interest for the protection of palm trees partially ravaged by the red weevil resulting in the complete decline of the contaminated palm trees. The system comprises an electrical pulse generator connected to at least two electrodes placed on or in the trunk of the palm tree to be treated.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

Elimination system for larvae and parasitic pest insects.

REFERENCE: REMOVAL OF PALM PARASITES

DOMAIN PE THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrotechnical system for the elimination by electrocution, of red palm weevils (Figure 1) and their larvae and all other parasites of these palms and agaves. The invention will also find an interest in the preservation of palms ravaged by the red weevil resulting in complete dieback of contaminated palms. The invention is a solution to the ecological problem of the disappearance of phoenix palms eaten away by the red weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus).

BACKGROUND

The phoenix or other vegetable palms such as agaves, are decorative plants present throughout the Mediterranean basin, and in particular on the French Riviera and the Italian Riviera, where they constitute decorative elements characteristic of these regions.

All palms of the Mediterranean basin are more or less attacked by the parasite red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). This is an important pest of coconut palms. It spreads rapidly, posing major management problems and causing dieback and death of affected palms. Heavily attacked trees lose all their palms and rotting trunks leads to their death.

The landscapes of the affected regions are particularly affected by this phenomenon. In France the red palm weevil is called the palm killer. The first case, in France, was recorded in Sanary, then spread in the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes.

The first symptoms of an attack by the Red Weevil only appear well after the beginning of the infestation. The internal damage is particularly important, the heavily attacked palms lose all their palms and die after complete decay. All the municipalities of the Mediterranean littoral are mobilized in the fight against this invasion.

The some 50 000 palm trees identified in the Maritime Alps could, among other things, benefit from the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention consists in sending electrical discharges of very high tension in the trunk of palms or other plants (Figure 8) attacked by the weevils Rhynchophorus ferrugineus or other insects, already infested or, as a preventive measure, in those not being again.

The conductivity of electricity induced and ensured by electrodes or by conducting strings introduced or placed in or on the trunk of the plants, placed at defined heights according to the power of the pulses and the conductivity of the plants, according to their hygrometry, (Figure 6)

In case of hygrometry insufficient to ensure conductivity, a conductive liquid can be injected by the electrodes.

Electric shocks spread between the low and high electrodes, electrocuting all worms, larvae, pupae and weevils present in the propagation zone. The invention relates to the production method, the power, the frequency of the pulses as well as the equipment capable of producing the appropriate pulses. (figure: 8)

The method comprises several successive phases, the calculation of the frequency, the power of the pulses, the laying of the electrodes or contact straps, the execution of the electrical pulses, the repetition of these operations on the parts other than those already treated, and this, on part or all of the treated tree, all thanks to an inseparable mechanism of the invention which advantageously allows elimination of parasites, larvae, or infecting weevils.

The method also offers the advantage of participating in the eradication of parasites, including Paysandisia Archon butterflies, red weevils Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and other parasites, by limiting the number of insects transiting from tree to tree to lay eggs, future larvae, chrysalis, butterflies and weevils, thus avoiding the contamination of healthy trees. The invention has the advantage of replacing the chemical elimination mode, the only one used to date, for treating contaminated trees and destroying pests. The invention thus has the advantage of preserving the environment from any pollution and chemical contamination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example and in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a red weevil to be electrocuted

FIGURE 2 illustrates a Paysandisia Archon butterfly to be electrocuted

FIGURE 3 illustrates a sectional diagram of a gallery excavated by a larva in a contaminated trunk.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the larva installed in its cocoon in the process of becoming a weevil.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the diagram of the electrical discharge device FIGURE 6 illustrates the electrodes placed in the contaminated trunk to be treated FIGURE 7 illustrates the contact strapping placed on the contaminated trunk to be treated.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the zone of the destructive electrical discharge of the parasites.

The accompanying drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention.

These drawings are schematic representations and are not necessarily at the scale of the practical application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION :

It is specified that in the context of the present invention that the term "palm tree" covers the various species of palm trees such as the Cocos nucifera palm, Arecaceae, Arenga pinnata, Borassus flabellifer, Brahea armata, Butia capitata,

Calamus merillii, Caryota maxima, Caryota cumingii, Chamaerops humilis, Cocos nucifera, Corypha gebanga, Corypha elata, Elaeis guineensis, Livistona australis,

Livistona decipiens, Metroxylon sagu, Oreodoxa regia, Phoenix canariensis, Phoenix dactylifera, Phoenix theophrasti, Phoenix sylvestris, Sabal umbraculifera,

Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Palm), Washingtonia, Agaves and Aloe.

It is also specified that the term "electrode" means indifferently for anodes or cathodes or contact straps.

It is also stated that the term "discharge" is used interchangeably to describe an electrical impulse, without specifying its intensity, duration or strength.

It is also specified that advantageously the conductivity of electric discharges, can be ensured or increased by the injection of conductive liquids by means of the electrodes implanted in the trunk.

Advantageously, the contact strapping can be completely peri-metric or partially peri-metric flexible or rigid.

Advantageously, the position of the electrodes may be more or less close depending on the volume of the trunk to be treated.

Claims (9)

1 electrocution disposal system of eggs, larvae of chrysalis and all types of red palm weevils or countryandia archon, comprising an electrical pulse generator (Figure 3) connected to at least two electrodes (Figure 4) placed on or in the trunk of the palm tree to be treated. 2 Elimination system electrocution, according to the preceding claim, comprising electrodes ensuring the conductivity of electric discharges and in case of insufficient electrical conductivity, allow injections of conductive liquid. 3 Electrocution elimination system according to the preceding claims capable of producing one or more electrical discharges as needed depending on the size of the palm to be treated for electrocution of all parasitic insects present in said trunk. 4 Electrocution elimination system according to the preceding claims comprising electrodes consisting of either contact strapping or probe ensuring the conductivity of electric shocks for electrocution of all parasitic insects present in said trunk, by one or more electric discharges sent d electrode electrode. An electrocution elimination system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the size of the electrodes is larger or smaller. An electrocution elimination system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the device is formed of two or more electrodes or contact straps. An electrocution elimination system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical discharges can be of different voltage, amperage and frequencies. An electrocution elimination system according to any of the preceding claims applied preventively prior to any occurrence of various parasitic insects in a palm tree. Electrocution system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrodes are placed differently depending on the size of the palm to be treated or its height.