WO2011123004A1

WO2011123004A1 - Height-adjustable insect trap and method for determining flight altitude of insects

Info

Publication number: WO2011123004A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/050363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rickard Rosendahl
Original assignee: Amplecta AB
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2010-03-31
Publication date: 2011-10-06

Abstract

An insect trap (5) for catching insects present at a particular geographical location, the insect trap (5) comprising an insect trap body (10); and a support structure (11) mechanically connected to the insect trap body (10) for supporting the insect trap body (10). The insect trap body (10) comprises a trap inlet (6) and a trap outlet (15); a fan (31) arranged and configured to create an air flow between the trap inlet (6) and the trap outlet (15); and a container arranged along a flow path of the air flow in order to trap insects sucked into the insect trap (5) by underpressure formed at the trap inlet (6). The support structure (11) is arranged and configured to allow adjustment of a height of the insect trap body (10) to adapt a height of the trap inlet (6) to a typical flight altitude of the insects present at the particular geographical location. This insect trap (5) provides for an improved capability of catching insects, in particular flying insects such as mosquitoes, at different geographical locations.

Description

Height-adj ustable insect trap and method for determining flight altitude of insects

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of catching insects at a particular geographical location, and to an insect trap for catching insects present at a particular geographical location.

Technical Background

In large parts of the world, insects in general and various species of mosquitoes in particular are important carriers of different diseases, such as Nile fever, Dengue fever etc. In other parts of the world, such insects may not carry dangerous diseases, but may nevertheless severely influence the behavior of humans.

The number of insects in a given geographical area may be reduced through the use of toxic chemicals, such as insecticides. However, it is generally believed that the use of such chemicals should be avoided if possible.

As a more attractive alternative to the use of insecticides, different types of insect traps have been developed which attract the insects to the trap where the insects are caught and disposed with. This reduces the number of insects and reduces the capacity of the insects to reproduce. Accordingly, the insect population in the vicinity of such an insect trap can be reduced. What is used to attract the insects to the insect trap may vary from application to application. For instance, any one of light, heat, carbon dioxide, moisture, a chemical attractant, or any combination thereof may be used to attract the insects to the insect trap.

For example, US 6 854 208, discloses an insect trap which uses light to attract the mosquitoes to the insect trap. The insect trap according to US 6 854 208 has a cap where a light-source for emitting the light is arranged, and a base with an inlet arranged close to the cap and an outlet arranged at the bottom of the base. The insect trap further comprises a container for holding insects that are caught in the insect trap, and a fan arranged between the inlet and the outlet to create an air flow between the inlet and the outlet through the container. When the insects that are attracted by the light approach the inlet, they are sucked into the container by the air flow. In the container, the insects dry out and die. To supplement the attracting effect of the light, the insect trap in US 6 854 208 is additionally provided with a canister for holding a chemical attractant. The canister is arranged at the bottom of the base of the insect trap in such a way that the air flow through the insect trap is capable of expelling the chemical attractant arranged in the canister through the outlet of the insect trap.

Although an insect trap such as that described in US 6 854 208 appears capable of attracting and catching insects through a combination of light and an attractant chemical, such insect traps have turned out to work well in some parts of the world, and less well in other parts of the world. In other words, the efficiency of the insect trap is dependent on the particular geographical location where it is used.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the above-mentioned and other drawbacks of the prior art, a general object of the present invention is to provide for an improved capability of catching insects, in particular flying insects such as mosquitoes, at different geographical locations.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, these and other objects are achieved through a method of catching insects at a particular geographical location using an insect trap comprising: a trap inlet and a trap outlet; a fan arranged and configured to create an air flow between the trap inlet and the trap outlet; and a container arranged along a flow path of the air flow in order to trap insects sucked into the insect trap by underpressure formed at the trap inlet, the method comprising the steps of: determining a typical flight altitude of the insects present at the particular geographical location; and adjusting a height of the trap inlet to substantially correspond to the typical flight altitude.

It should be noted that the method of the present invention by no means is limited to performing the steps thereof in any particular order.

Furthermore, some steps may be performed at one point in time, and other steps at another point in time.

As used herein, the term "fan" should be understood as any device capable of providing an air flow. In particular, the fan may be any one of an axial fan, a centrifugal fan, a crossflow fan etc. The present invention is based on the realization that flying insects at different geographical locations may have different typical flying altitudes, and that this is an important reason for the poor results achieved with existing insect traps when arranged in certain geographical locations. The present inventor has further realized that the capability of catching flying insects in different geographical locations can be improved considerably by determining the typical flying altitude of the predominant flying insects at a particular geographical location and subsequently arranging the trap inlet at a height that at least approximately corresponds to the determined typical flying altitude.

The step of determining the typical flight altitude may advantageously comprise the steps of providing, at the geographical location, a first chemical attractant selected to attract a first species of insects; and a second chemical attractant selected to attract a second species of insects different from the first species; determining which of the first chemical attractant and the second chemical attractant attracted the largest number of insects; if the first chemical attractant attracted the largest number of insects, determine the typical flight altitude to be a typical flight altitude associated with the first species of insects; and if the second chemical attractant attracted the largest number of insects, determine the typical flight altitude to be a typical flight altitude associated with the second species of insects.

To assist in the determination of which of the different chemical attractants is most efficient in attracting the flying insects of interest, the step of providing the first chemical attractant and the second chemical attractant may comprise the steps of: arranging the first chemical attractant at a first insect collection trap; and arranging the second chemical attractant at a second insect collection trap.

Such an insect collection trap may be a simple trap that is capable of indicating a relative number of insects. For example, the insect collection trap may comprise a holder for holding the chemical attractant and an adhesive surface, such as a so-called "sticky paper", for retaining the insects that have been attracted by the chemical attractant associated with the insect collection trap.

In order to increase the insect catching capability of the insect trap even further, the chemical attractant that attracted the largest number of insects may additionally be provided in the insect trap. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above- mentioned and other objects are achieved through an insect trap for catching insects present at a particular geographical location, the insect trap

comprising an insect trap body; and a support structure mechanically connected to the insect trap body for supporting the insect trap body, wherein the insect trap body comprises: a trap inlet and a trap outlet; a fan arranged and configured to create an air flow between the trap inlet and the trap outlet; and a container arranged along a flow path of the air flow in order to trap insects sucked into the insect trap by underpressure formed at the trap inlet, the support structure being arranged and configured to allow adjustment of a height of the insect trap body to adapt a height of the trap inlet to a typical flight altitude of the insects present at the particular geographical location.

The support structure may be provided in the form of any structure capable of adjusting the height of the insect trap body, including, for example, a telescopic structure, replaceable supporting bars, a pivoting arm etc.

Various such structures will be well-known to those skilled in the relevant art.

To assist the user of the insect trap to adjust the height of the trap inlet to the determined typical flying altitude of the relevant flying insects, the support structure may advantageously comprise a plurality of predefined height adjustment indications representing respective heights of the trap inlet that substantially correspond to typical flight altitudes of different

predetermined species of insects.

Such predefined height adjustment indicators may, for example, be provided in the form of notches, holes, markings etc.

For example, the height adjustment indicators may be coded to correspond to different chemical attractants, making it easy for the user to convert a particular test result to a suitable height setting of the insect trap, and will indicate to the user which chemical attractant to use for the insect trap. The height adjustment indicators and/or the different chemical attractants may, for example, be coded using various markings and/or colors.

Moreover, the insect trap according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise a carbon dioxide source, such as a carbon dioxide generator for generating carbon dioxide to be emitted by the insect trap. The carbon dioxide generator may, for example, be a converter arrangement configured to convert fuel gas, such as methane, propane, butane etc., or a mixture of two or more fuel gases to carbon dioxide. Such conversion may advantageously be catalytic. This type of converter arrangements per se are well known those skilled in the relevant art.

Alternatively, the carbon dioxide source may be provided in the form of a dispenser for dispensing compress carbon dioxide, or carbon dioxide can be provided by illuminating a catalyst, such as titanium oxide with suitable radiation, for example UV-light.

Moreover, the carbon dioxide source, such as the carbon dioxide generator may be arranged in the insect trap body to emit carbon dioxide generated by the carbon dioxide generator into the flow path between the trap inlet and the trap outlet.

The support structure may advantageously further be arranged and configured to support a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the carbon dioxide generator.

Furthermore, the support structure may be arranged and configured in such a way that the fuel tank remains stationary when the height of the insect trap body is adjusted using the support structure. The fuel tank and the carbon dioxide generator comprised in the insect trap body may

advantageously be connected by a flexible tube that is sufficiently long to accommodate the maximum height setting of the insect trap.

By arranging and configuring the support structure in such a way that the fuel tank remains stationary when the height of the insect trap body is adjusted, the weight that needs to be carried by any movable part(s) of the insect trap can be reduced, which may simplify the construction of the insect trap and make it more light-weight.

To further improve the insect catching capability of the insect trap according to various embodiments of the present invention, it may additionally be provided with an attractant support arrangement for supporting a chemical attractant capable of emitting attractant molecules into air surrounding the attractant.

The insect trap may further comprise a flow passage between the attractant support device and an attractant discharge outlet arranged adjacent to the trap inlet, to allow for the underpressure formed at the trap inlet to create an attractant flow through the flow passage from the attractant support arrangement to the attractant discharge outlet.

Hereby, attractant molecules can effectively be localized at the trap inlet by providing the insect trap with an attractant support arrangement and a flow passage between the attractant support device and an attractant discharge outlet arranged adjacent to the trap inlet. By arranging the attractant discharge outlet sufficiently close to the trap inlet, the air flow between the trap inlet and the trap outlet creates an underpressure at the attractant discharge outlet. When the insect trap is in operation, this

underpressure creates an attractant flow from the attractant provided at the attractant support arrangement, through the flow passage to the attractant discharge outlet, where the attractant molecules are presented to the insects.

Obviously, the suction power of the fan provided in an insect trap is not unlimited, which means that the attractant discharge outlet should be arranged relatively close to the trap inlet for the desired attractant flow to occur.

Hereby, attractant molecules can be localized to the vicinity of the trap inlet, so that the attractant molecules can assist in attracting the insects to the trap inlet. As mentioned in the background section, insect traps may use a combination of several attraction means for attracting insects to the insect trap so that the insects come close enough to the trap inlet to be sucked into the insect trap by the underpressure formed at the trap inlet. Through various embodiments of the present invention, an attractant flow can be provided that co-operates with the underpressure and other possible attraction means that are localized at the trap inlet of the insect trap. This provides for more efficient attraction of insects, which can be used to catch more insects and/or may allow for a reduction in the power consumption of the insect trap, since the fan may not need to create such a strong underpressure at the trap inlet if the insects can be lured closer to the trap inlet through the localized provision of attractant molecules at the trap inlet.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the insect trap may comprise a substantially horizontal upper wall; and a substantially horizontal lower wall, the flow passage being provided between the upper wall and the lower wall.

This is a convenient and compact way of providing the desired flow passage.

The discharge outlet may, furthermore, advantageously be formed by at least one peripheral flow gap between the upper wall and the lower wall. That the flow gap is "peripheral" should, in the context of the present application, be understood to mean that the flow gap is provided at the periphery of at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall. In some embodiments, the upper wall and the lower wall may have substantially the same lateral dimensions, and in other embodiments the lateral dimensions may be somewhat different.

Moreover, the lower wall may advantageously be arranged between the attractant support arrangement and the fan, to force at least a substantial portion of the attractant flow to pass the attractant discharge outlet before reaching the fan. By acting as a shield between the attractant support arrangement and the fan, the lower wall can serve to direct the attractant flow towards the trap inlet in a structurally simple way, which facilitates production of the insect trap and keeps the production cost down.

In some embodiments of the insect trap according to the present invention, the upper wall may comprise the attractant support arrangement. The attractant support arrangement may be configured to support the attractant at a side of the upper wall facing away from the lower wall, in which case the upper wall may be provided with at least one opening for allowing attractant flow from the attractant and into the flow passage provided between the upper wall and the lower wall.

In other embodiments of the insect trap according to the present invention, the lower wall may comprise the attractant support arrangement. In this case, the upper wall may be provided with at least one opening to allow air to enter into the flow passage between the upper wall and the lower wall after having passed the attractant support arrangement.

In any of the above-mentioned embodiments, the upper wall may advantageously constitute a protective cap for the insect trap.

Moreover, the flow passage between the upper wall and the lower wall may comprise at least one channel formed between the upper wall and the lower wall, the at least one channel being bounded by the upper wall, the lower wall and side walls. Such channels may, for example, be formed by grooves in either or both of the upper wall and the lower wall. Through the provision of one or more channels the attractant flow can be concentrated where it is considered to contribute the most to attracting insects to the trap. For example, one trap inlet portion of the insect trap may more attractive to insects than other portions of the insect trap due to, for instance, a particular temperature distribution or light-emission direction etc. Through the use of one or more channels, the attractant flow may also be concentrated to the more attractive trap inlet portion to efficiently utilize the combination of the different insect attraction means. Furthermore, the attractant support arrangement may be arranged to be at a higher vertical level than the trap inlet when the insect trap is in use.

The insect trap according to various embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a light-source for attracting the insects using light.

Moreover, various embodiments of the insect trap according to the present invention may advantageously be included in an insect trap kit, further comprising a plurality of different chemical attractants each being selected to attract a corresponding species of insects, for allowing

determination of the typical flight altitude of insects present at the particular geographical location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig 1 is a flow chart schematically illustrating an embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

Figs 2a-c further illustrates some of the steps in fig 1 ;

Fig 3 schematically illustrates a height adjustable insect trap according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig 4 is a perspective cross-section view of the insect trap body of the insect trap in fig 3. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the present detailed description, various embodiments of the insect trap according to the present invention are mainly discussed with reference to a fuel powered insect trap, using catalytic conversion to generate carbon dioxide, and further being adapted for use with a chemical attractant to increase the attraction capability of the insect trap.

It should be noted that this by no means limits the scope of the present invention, which is equally applicable to other insect traps, such as electricity powered insect traps, and insect traps using other attraction means for attracting the flying insects, such as light.

An embodiment of the method according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the flow-chart in fig 1 and the supporting illustrations in figs 2a-c. In a first step 101 , a plurality of insect collection traps 1 a-c with different chemical attractants 2a-c are provided at the particular geographical location where the population of flying insects should be reduced. The insect collection traps 1 a-c may, for example, be supported by an object, such as a tree 3 as is illustrated in fig 2a. Obviously any other suitable structure present at or brought to the geographical location would work equally well. In the exemplary embodiment that is schematically illustrated in figs 2a-c, the insect collection traps 1 a-c include a sticky surface at which the flying insects are caught by the insect collection traps 1 a-c.

In a subsequent step 102, it is determined which of the different chemical attractants 2a-c attracted the largest number of flying insects. As can be seen in fig 2b, the left insect collection trap 1 a has the largest number of insects attached to the sticky surface thereof. Accordingly, the chemical attractant 2a associated with the left insect collection trap 1 a attracted the largest number of flying insects.

Based on the thus acquired information, the typical flight altitude can be determined. For example, the user can consult a table giving the typical flight altitudes for flying insects that are attracted by different chemical attractants. Those skilled in the art will realize that there are numerous other ways of determining the typical flight altitude of the relevant flying insects. For instance, information about the predominant flying insects at a given particular geographical location can be acquired from various sources, which may for example be accessible on the internet.

Moving on to step 104, and referring to fig 2c, the chemical attractant 1 a that attracted the largest number of flying insects, as determined in step 102, is provided in a height-adjustable insect trap 5.

Finally, in step 105, the height of the trap inlet 6 of the insect trap 5 is adjusted to substantially correspond to the typical flying altitude determined in step 103.

An exemplary embodiment of the height adjustable insect trap 5 in fig

2c will now be described in greater detail with reference to fig 3.

Fig 3 schematically illustrates a height adjustable insect trap 5 comprising an insect trap body 10, a support structure 1 1 that is mechanically connected to the insect trap body 10 for supporting the insect trap body 10, and a fuel tank 12 for supplying fuel to a carbon dioxide generator (not shown in fig 3) arranged inside the insect trap body 10. The insect trap body 10 comprises a trap inlet 6, and a trap outlet 15. The trap outlet 15 is provided in the form of a mesh container 16, where the flying insects that are caught by the insect trap 5 are trapped to dry out and die. When the insect trap 5 is in operation, an air flow is created between the trap inlet 5 and the trap outlet 15 by a fan (not shown in fig 3) arranged inside the insect trap body 10. Flying insects that approach the trap inlet 6 are sucked in and transported to the mesh container 16 as described above. To attract the flying insects, the insect trap 5 presents a combination of attraction means, such as carbon dioxide, heat, light and a chemical attractant that is arranged inside the insect trap body 10. Additionally, the insect body 10 presents a pattern 17 to the flying insects, which is designed to guide the insects towards the trap inlet 6, where they are sucked into the insect trap 5.

The support structure 1 1 is here provided in the form of a stand with supporting legs 18a-b and a vertical beam 19, and the insect trap body 10 comprises a sleeve 20 that can slide along the beam 19. Along the vertical beam 19, a plurality of predefined height adjustment indications are provided in the form of markings 22a-c to assist the user in accurately positioning the insect trap body 10 to arrange the trap inlet 6 at the appropriate height adapted to the determined flight altitude. These markings 22a-c may advantageously correlate with the markings on the different chemical attractants 2a-c referred to above. For example, the markings 22a-c and the chemical attractants 2a-c may be colored, or they may be provided with other types of markings, such as letters and/or figures. As is clear from fig 3, the support structure 1 1 is arranged in such a way that the fuel tank 12 remains stationary when the height of the insect trap body 10 is adjusted.

As will be readily understood by those skilled in the relevant art, the support structure may be provided in a variety of alternative ways. For example, the vertical arm may be telescopic, or the insect trap body 10 may be supported by a pivotable arm.

The insect trap 5 in fig 3 will now be described in greater detail with reference to fig 4, which is a perspective cross-section view of the insect trap body 10 of the insect trap 5 in fig 3.

As can be seen in Fig 4, the insect trap body 10 comprises a cylindrical housing 30, a trap inlet 6 and a trap outlet 15. The insect trap body 10 further comprises a fan 31 arranged within the housing 30 and a container 16 arranged below and in connection to the housing 30. Throughout the description words such above, below, upper, and lower are intended to have their ordinary meaning and relates to when the insect trap 5 is assembled and ready for operation. The container 16 is air permeable and forms the trap outlet 15. In the exemplary embodiment, walls and base of the container 16 are substantially made of mesh such that the trapped insects may not escape. Further, the container 16 is detachably arranged to the housing 30 for allowing emptying of the container 16 when it is filled with dead insects. The fan 31 is arranged in a flow duct 33 within the housing 30.

The insect trap body 10 further comprises a catalytic converter 34 for converting liquefied petroleum gas to carbon dioxide, for generating heat and electric power for the fan 31 . The catalytic converter 34 is arranged within the housing 30 and provided with liquefied petroleum gas via a duct between the catalytic converter 34 and the tank 12 for liquefied petroleum gas (referring to fig 3).

Further, the insect trap body 10 comprises a substantially horizontal upper wall 35 and a substantially horizontal lower wall 36 arranged above the housing 30. The lower wall 35 is arranged on spacers (not shown) disposed on the upper side of the housing such that the trap inlet 6 is formed between the upper periphery of the housing 30 and the periphery of the lower wall 36. The trap inlet 6 extends along a part of the peripheries, but may alternatively extend along substantially the whole upper periphery of the housing 30.The lower wall 36 has a slightly convex form, such that the curvature of the side of the lower wall 36 facing the housing 30 is concave, as is schematically indicated in fig 4. The lower wall 36 is arranged below the upper wall 35 and comprises an attractant support arrangement 38 in the form of an attractant cavity intended for the attractant 2a. A chemical attractant 2a, such as octenol or a combination of octenol and lactic acid, is arranged on the attractant support arrangement 38.

The upper wall 35 is formed as a hat and comprises a lower portion 40 and a cylindrical central portion 41 that projects upwards from the lower portion 40 of the upper wall 35. The upper wall 35 is detachably arranged to the lower wall 36 for allowing the user to replace the attractant 2a. The lower portion 40 is slightly convex, such that the curvature of the side of the lower portion 40 facing the lower wall 36 is concave as is schematically indicated in fig 4. The cylindrical central portion 41 comprises at least one air opening 43. The lower portion 40 of the upper wall 35 projects outside both the periphery of the housing 30 and the periphery of the lower wall 36 and forms a protective cap for the insect trap body 10. Further, the lower surface of the lower portion 40 comprises grooves extending in a radial direction from vicinity of the attractant support arrangement 38 to a radial position that corresponds to a position peripherally slightly outside the periphery of the lower wall 36. The grooves of the lower surface form a flow passage in form of channels 45 together with the lower wall 36, when the upper wall 35 is arranged above the lower wall 36. A peripheral end of each channel 45 forms an attractant discharge outlet 46 disposed adjacent to, in this case slightly peripherally outside, the trap inlet 6. By arranging grooves on the

corresponding side of the horizontal cross-section of the lower wall 36 as the fan 31 and the trap inlet 6 in the housing 31 , the attractant molecules may be more effectively directed to the attractant discharge outlet 46. Alternatively, the lower surface of the lower portion 40 may comprise strips extending radially, to form the channels 45 together with the lower wall 36 and the lower surface of the lower portion 40, when the upper wall 35 is arranged above the lower wall 36. Still alternatively, the upper wall 35 may comprise spacers, such that a three dimensional channel 45 is formed over substantially the whole area of the lower wall 36.

The air flow for the embodiment in Fig 4 during operation is described below. In operation, the fan 31 arranged in the housing 30 creates an air flow between the trap inlet 6 and the trap outlet 15 and forms an underpressure at the trap inlet 6. Due to the underpressure at the trap inlet 6, air at the attractant discharge outlet 46 is sucked into the trap inlet 6 resulting in an underpressure in the channels 45 and at the attractant support arrangement 38. This in turn results in that air is sucked in through the air opening 43 in the upper wall 35. The air flows towards the attractant 2a, arranged in the attractant support cavity 38, which emits attractant molecules into the air surrounding the attractant 2a. Thereafter, due to the underpressure at the trap inlet 6, the mixture of air and attractant molecules flows along the channels 45 to the attractant discharge outlet 46 adjacent to the trap inlet 6. From the attractant discharge outlet 46, the mixture of air and attractant molecules is further sucked into the trap inlet 6, through the flow duct 33 and further to the container 16, and finally out through the trap outlet 15. Thus, the attractant 2a is arranged upstream of the trap inlet 6. When the mixture at the attractant discharge outlet 46 is sucked in, the insects attracted to the trap inlet 6 are sucked through the trap inlet 6 and transported by the air flow through the flow duct 33 to the container 16. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1 . A method of catching insects at a particular geographical location using an insect trap (5) comprising:

a trap inlet (6) and a trap outlet (15);

a fan (31 ) arranged and configured to create an air flow between said trap inlet (3) and said trap outlet (15); and

a container (16) arranged along a flow path of said air flow in order to trap insects sucked into the insect trap (5) by underpressure formed at said trap inlet (6),

said method comprising the steps of:

determining (103) a typical flight altitude of said insects present at said particular geographical location; and

adjusting (105) a height of said trap inlet (3) to substantially correspond to said typical flight altitude.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining said typical flight altitude comprises the steps of:

providing (101 ), at said geographical location, a first chemical attractant (2a) selected to attract a first species of insects; and a second chemical attractant (2b) selected to attract a second species of insects different from said first species;

determining (102) which of said first chemical attractant (2a) and said second chemical attractant (2b) attracted the largest number of insects;

if said first chemical attractant (2a) attracted the largest number of insects, determine (103) said typical flight altitude to be a typical flight altitude associated with said first species of insects; and

if said second chemical attractant (2b) attracted the largest number of insects, determine (103) said typical flight altitude to be a typical flight altitude associated with said second species of insects.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of providing (101 ) said first chemical attractant (2a) and said second chemical attractant (2b) comprises the steps of:

arranging said first chemical attractant (2a) at a first insect collection trap; and arranging said second chemical attractant (2b) at a second insect collection trap.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the step of: providing (104) the chemical attractant (2a; 2b; 2c) that attracted the largest number of insects in said insect trap.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising providing additional different chemical attractants (2a; 2b; 2c) selected to attract further species of insects.

6. An insect trap (5) for catching insects present at a particular geographical location, said insect trap (5) comprising:

an insect trap body (10); and

a support structure (1 1 ) mechanically connected to said insect trap body (10) for supporting said insect trap body (10),

wherein said insect trap body (10) comprises:

a trap inlet (6) and a trap outlet (15);

a fan (31 ) arranged and configured to create an air flow between said trap inlet (6) and said trap outlet (15); and

a container arranged along a flow path of said air flow in order to trap insects sucked into the insect trap (5) by underpressure formed at said trap inlet (6),

said support structure (1 1 ) being arranged and configured to allow adjustment of a height of the insect trap body (10) to adapt a height of the trap inlet (6) to a typical flight altitude of said insects present at said particular geographical location.

7. The insect trap (5) according to claim 6, wherein said support structure (1 1 ) comprises a plurality of predefined height adjustment

indications (22a-c ) representing respective heights of said trap inlet (6) that substantially correspond to typical flight altitudes of different predetermined species of insects.

8. The insect trap (5) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a carbon dioxide generator (34) for generating carbon dioxide to be emitted by the insect trap (5).

9. The insect trap (5) according to claim 8, wherein said carbon dioxide generator (34) is arranged in said insect trap (5) body to emit carbon dioxide generated by the carbon dioxide generator (34) into said flow path between the trap inlet (6) and the trap outlet.

10. The insect trap (5) according to claim 6 to 9, wherein said support structure (1 1 ) is further arranged and configured to support a fuel tank (12) for supplying fuel to said carbon dioxide generator (34).

1 1 . The insect trap (5) according to claim 10, wherein said support structure (1 1 ) is arranged and configured in such a way that said fuel tank (12) remains stationary when said height of the insect trap (5) body is adjusted using the support structure (1 1 ).

12. The insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 6 to 1 1 , further comprising an attractant support arrangement (38) for supporting a chemical attractant (2a; 2b; 2c) capable of emitting attractant molecules into air surrounding said attractant (2a; 2b; 2c).

13. The insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, further comprising a flow passage (45) between said attractant support device (38) and an attractant discharge outlet (46) arranged adjacent to said trap inlet (6), to allow for said underpressure formed at said trap inlet (6) to create an attractant flow through said flow passage (45) from said attractant support arrangement (38) to said attractant discharge outlet (46).

14. The insect trap (5) according to claim 13, comprising:

a substantially horizontal upper wall (35); and

a substantially horizontal lower wall (36),

said flow passage (45) being provided between said upper wall (35) and said lower wall (36).

15. The insect trap (5) according to claim 14, wherein said attractant discharge outlet (46) is formed by at least one peripheral flow gap between said upper wall (35) and said lower wall (36).

16. The insect trap (5) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said lower wall (36) is arranged between said attractant support arrangement (38) and said fan (31 ), to force at least a substantial portion of said attractant flow to pass said attractant discharge outlet (46) before reaching said fan (31 ).

17. The insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said upper wall (35) comprises said attractant support arrangement (38).

18. The insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said lower wall (36) comprises said attractant support arrangement (38).

19. The insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said upper wall (35) constitutes a protective cap for said insect trap (5).

20. The insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein said flow passage (45) comprises at least one channel formed between the upper wall (35) and the lower wall (36), the at least one channel being bounded by the upper wall (35), the lower wall (36) and side walls.

21 . The insect trap (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said attractant support arrangement (38) is arranged to be at a higher vertical level than said trap inlet (6) when said insect trap (5) is in use.

22. An insect trap (5) kit comprising:

an insect trap (5) according to any one of claims 6 to 21 ; and

a plurality of different chemical attractants (2a; 2b; 2c) each being selected to attract a corresponding species of insects, for allowing

determination of the typical flight altitude of insects present at said particular geographical location.