GB2283896A - Insect trap - Google Patents

Abstract

An insect trap has a plastics body 2 for retaining insects and a lip 3 having a screw thread formation. A funnel 9 engages the screw thread formation of the lip. Baffles 4 and cover 5 are secured to the funnel. Trap uses pheromones to attract insects. <IMAGE>

Description

Insect Trap The present invention is concerned with an insect trap.

Insect traps are used in the control and monitoring of insect population. The target insect may be attracted towards the trap using natural or synthetic pheromones, lures or caged insects of the same species which it is believed give out an attractant odour.

A known insect trap which is often used for lepidoptera and diptera, comprises a funnel having attached at its lower end an insect-retaining receiver and, mounted above the funnel, a lid carrying a phial or absorbent pad containing an appropriate insect pheromone to attract the particular insect required.

However, it has been found that although large numbers of the appropriate insect are frequently attracted towards such a trap, a low proportion of those attracted finally enter the insect-retaining receiver.

An alternative insect trap is described in GB2052942 and comprises a skirt attached to the funnel, the skirt leading to the insect-retaining receiver. The skirt provides a more appropriate insect pathway to the mouth of the funnel.

A disadvantage associated with the latter traps is that the join between the skirt and the receiver includes a circumferential rib which again can impede an insect's path to the funnel mouth.

According to the present invention there is provided an insect trap comprising: (a) an insect-retaining receiver comprising a mail body portion for retaining insects and an end region comprising: ( i) a lip defining an opening of said receiver; and (ii) a boundary region defining an outermost periphery of said end region; (b) a flannel including a mouth region tapering to a relatively narrow opposed exit region, said mouth region being arranged to be seated on said end region; and (c) means for securing said funnel in abutting relationship to said end region; wherein said securing means are arranged inwardly of said outermost periphery such that said funnel does not substantially overhang said outermost periphery.

The above arrangement of the securing means and funnel is advantageous in obviating the obstructive rib arrangement associated with the prior art insect traps. In this way the outer surface of the receiver and funnel, in tloe area of abutment, is smoothly contoured to provide an insect with an unimpecled approach to the funnel mouth.

The funnel mouth region may be seated directly on the end region of the receiver, in such a way that the securillg means retain the mouth region in abutting relationship to the end region. Alternatively a peripheral skirt may extend from the mouth region, such that the skirt is directly seated on the end region and retained in abutting relationship thereto by the securing means. In either case, the relative arrangement of the funnel and the end region of the receiver is such that the funnel does not substantially overhang the outermost periphery thereof.

In the latter case where the filnnel includes a skirt, it is preferred that the skirt provides a channel of substantially arcuate cross-section surrounding the funnel. Preferably the arcuate channel circumferentially extends around the funnel In this way the skirt presents a substantially dome-shaped outer surface which facilitates entry of insects to the funnel mouth.

It is preferred that the lip comprises an upstanding rim. The boundary region may provide a platform on which the funnel can be seated. The arrangement of the lip is advantageously such as to act as locating means for the funnel.

In a preferred embodiment the lip comprises an annular member so as to define a substantially circular opening of the insect receiver. Preferably the receiver is substantially cylindrical. In a particularly preferred embodiment the receiver may taper slightly outwards in the direction of the end region.

Advantageously, the securing means comprise complementary engaging formations provided by abutting portions of the lip and the funnel.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention it is preferred that the securing means comprise one or more recess formations provided by the lip and one or more lugs provided on an inwardly facing, engagement area of the funnel. Typically this arrangement allows a "snap-fit" engagement between the receiver and funnel.

The securing means may further comprise complementary grooved formations provided by the lip and inwardly facing engagement area of the funnel. The grooved formations are preferably such as to allow relative close fit rotation of the funnel and receiver, and subsequent engagement between the lugs and recess formations.

It is preferred that the lip and funnel are respectively provided with a plurality, preferably at least three, recess formations and lugs, typically spaced at substantially equidistant locations around the lip and funnel.

In a particularly preferred embodiment there are respectively provided four lugs and recess formations, arranged at quarter circumferential intervals around the funnel and lip. Such an arrangement allows a substantially secure attachment of the funnel to the receiver so as to obviate accidental disassembly.

According to a second embodiment, the securing means consists essentially of screw thread formations respectively provided on abutting portions of the receiver and funnel.

Advantageously the upstanding rim of the lip is provided with the securing means as described above.

It is preferred that the trap further comprises a canopy mounted above the mouth region of the funnel. It is preferred that the canopy extends beyond the periphery of the funnel mouth, so as to enhance retention of insects in the main body portion of the receiver. The canopy arrangement further assists in keeping rain out from the system and may also afford a suspending point for mounting a pheromone-containing member to attract insects to the trap.

The canopy is advantageously spaced from the funnel mouth region, such that an insect trapping zone is provided therebetween.

It may be preferred that a plurality (typically four) pillars upstand from an upper portion of the funnel so as to space the canopy from the funnel mouth region as described above.

Alternatively the trapping zone may preferably include partitioning means.

Advantageously the partitioning means subdivide the zone into a plurality of, preferably four, substantially equal sized chambers. These partitioning means are beneficial in obviating insect escape from the trap.

Typically the partitioning means are seated on an upper portion of the funnel, and preferably provide support means for the canopy.

In a preferred embodiment, a phial containing a selected insect lure or pheromone is arranged to depend from the canopy so as to attract insects into the receiver.

Alternatively, a selected insect lure or pheromone may be arranged within the body portion of the receiver so as to encourage insects entering the funnel to continue into the receiver.

It may be preferred that first and second sources of lure or pheromone are provided, a first source depending from the canopy and a second placed within the body portion of the receiver. It is often further desirable to place an insecticide in the body portion.

The arrangement of the pl1eromone-containing phial below the canopy as described can help to control diffilsion of the pheromone from the phial. An air current with entrained pheromone flows downwardly from the canopy region over the outer surfaces of the funnel and receiver. The smoothly contoured abutment area of the funnel and receiver as hereinbefore described, is seen to be aerodynamically advantageous; the path of the air current and entrained pheromone (from the phial to an insect ascending the receiver) being substantially unimpeded so as to be free of any obstacles capable of diverting the current from its required route.

The greater pheromone concentration in the area of the canopy may cause insects, attracted by the strong pheromone scent, to land directly on the upper portion of the funnel. Alternatively, the insects may ascend the outer walls of the receiver in the direction of increasing pheromone concentration.

Additional factors which can influence the pheromone concentration include external conditions such as wind direction or the like, resulting in varying pheromone concentration on different sides of the trap.

Preferably the trap may be of a plastics material.

There is still further provided by tile present invention a kit for trapping insects, which kit comprises: (a) a trap substantially as hereinbefore described; and (b) at least one pheromone source for attracting insects to said trap.

The pheromone source preferably comprises a phial containing a pheromone as described above.

The present invention will now be further illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are exploded views of a trap according to the present invention, like parts being denoted by like numerals.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a trap generally designated 1 comprises a plastics container 2, a funnel 3, partitions 4 and a canopy 5. In Figure 1, the walls of container 2 taper slightly outwards, whereas in Figure 2 the walls of container 2 are substantially vertical.

Container 2 further includes an open end 6 defined by a lip 7. Lip 7 includes a screw thread for engagement with a complementary thread provided on an inwardly facing surface of a circumferential collar 8 of funnel 3.

Funnel 3 includes upstalldillg engagement pillars 9 to be received within recess portions 10 (not visible in Figure 1) of partitions 4.

In use, when funnel 3 is arranged to be seated on lip 7, collar 8 does not extend beyond the outermost periphery of lip 7. The area of abutment of funnel 3 and container 2 is therefore smoothly contoured to provide an unimpeded approach path for an insect ascending container 2.

Canopy 5 is arranged to be seated on upper engagement posts 11 of partitions 4. In Figure 1, canopy 5 includes apertures 12 for engagement with posts 11. In Figure 2, canopy 5 is provided with a plurality of depending ribs (not visible) for engagement with posts 11.

Claims (35)

CLAIMS:

1. An insect trap comprising: (a) an insect-retaining receiver comprising a main body portion for retaining insects and an end region comprising (i) a lip defining an opening of said receiver; and (ii) a boundary region defining an outermost periphery of said end region; (b) a funnel including a mouth region tapering to a relatively narrow opposed exit region, said mouth region being arranged to be sealed on said end region; and (c) means for securing said funnel in abutting relationship to said end region; wherein said securing means are arranged inwardly of said outermost periphery such that said funnel does not substantially overhang said outermost periphery.

2. A trap according to claim 1, wherein said funnel mouth region is seated directly on the end of said receiver, such that said securing means retain said mouth region in abutting relationship to said end region.

3. A trap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a peripheral skirt extends from said mouth region, such that said skirt is directly seated on said end region and retained in abutting relationship thereto by said securing means.

4. A trap according to claim 3, wherein said skirt provides a channel of substantially arcuate cross-section surrounding said funnel.

5. A trap according to claim 4, wherein said arcuate channel circumferentially extends around said funnel.

6. A trap according to claim 1, wherein said lip comprises an upstanding rim.

7. A trap according to claim 6, wherein said lip comprises an annular member so as to define a substantially circular opening of said insect receiver.

8. A trap according to any preceding claim, wherein said receiver is substantially cylindrical.

9. A trap according to claim 8, wherein said insect receiver tapers slightly outwards in the direction of said end region.

10. A trap according to any preceding claim, wherein said boundary region provides a platform on which said funnel may be seated.

11. A trap according to any preceding claim, wherein said securing means comprise complementary engaging formations provided by abutting portions of said lip and said funnel.

12. A trap according to claim 11, wherein said securing means comprise one or more recess formations provided by said lip and one or more lugs provided on an inwardly facing engagement area of said funnel.

13. A trap according to claim 12, wherein engagement of said recess formations and said lugs provide a snap-fit engagement between said receiver and said funnel.

14. A trap according to claims 12 or 13, wherein said securing means further comprise complementary grooved formations provided by said lip and said inwardly facing engagement area of said funnel.

15. A trap according to claim 14, wherein said grooved formations are such as to allow relative close fit rotation of said funnel and said receiver, and subsequent engagement between said lugs and said recess formations.

16. A trap according to claim 11, wherein said securing means comprises screw thread formations respectively provided on abutting portions of said receiver and said funnel.

17. A trap according to any preceding claim, wherein said lip and said funnel are respectively provided with a plurality of said recess formations and lugs.

18. A trap according to claim 17, wherein said lip and said funnel are provided with at least three recess formations and lugs.

19. A trap according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said recess formations and lugs are spaced at substantially equidistant locations around said lip and said funnel.

20. A trap according to claim 17, wherein four lugs and recess formations are provided respectively arranged at quarter circumferential intervals around said funnel and said lip.

21. A trap according to any preceding claim, wherein said upstanding rim of said lip is provided with said securing means.

22. A trap according to any preceding claim, further comprising a canopy mounted above said mouth region of said funnel.

23. A trap according to claim 22, wherein said canopy extends beyond the periphery of said funnel mouth.

24. A trap according to claim 23, wherein said canopy is spaced from said funnel mouth region such that an insect trapping zone is provided therebetween.

25. A trap according to any of claims 22 to 24, wherein a plurality of pillars upstand from an upper portion of said funnel.

26. A trap according to claim 25, wherein at least four pillars upstand from said upper portion.

27. A trap according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein said insect trapping zone includes partitioning means.

28. A trap according to claim 27, wherein said partitioning means subdivide said trapping zone into a plurality of substantially equal sized chambers.

29. A trap according to claim 27 or 28, wherein said partitioning means are seated on an upper portion of said funnel.

30. A trap according to claim 29, wherein said partitioning means provide support means for said canopy.

31. A trap according to any of claims 22 to 30, wherein a phial containing a selected insect lure or pheromone is arranged to depend from said canopy.

32. A trap according to any preceding claim, wherein said insect lure or pheromone is arranged within said body portion of said receiver.

33. A trap according to claims 31 or 32, wherein a first selected lure depends from said canopy and a second selected lure is located within said body portion of said receiver.

34. A trap according to any preceding claim, which contains an insecticide within said body portion.

35. A trap according to any preceding claim, which is of plastics material.