Section in construction
The present invention relates to any trap intended for the capture of insects of the genera Oryctes, Scapanes, Augosoma, and Rhynchophorus, designed to be suspended from a support and comprising a body made of flexible, pliable material, substantially tubular or truncated-cone in shape, with entry holes in the upper portion allowing insects to enter (Model 1, see Fig. 1). A container may be attached to the lower part of the trap to contain captured insects (Model 2, see Fig. 1). An additional lightweight container may be attached to the upper portion to facilitate insect entry (Model 3, see Fig. 1). The body and the lower container may be transparent or opaque, and may incorporate an opening device to facilitate emptying of the trap.
As of the filing date of our patent application, no suspended trap for insects of the genera Oryctes, Scapanes, Augosoma, and Rhynchophorus utilizing a flexible, pliable body has been referenced or described in the scientific literature, agricultural literature, or in patent databases consulted.
The novelty of these traps resides in the combination of three essential elements, to which two optional improvements may be added:
- Element 1 — The central body of the trap is made of a flexible, pliable, lightweight, and low-cost material, such as a plastic tarp or bag. This flexibility allows the trap to be packaged in a small package or box (e.g., 20 × 20 × 10 cm for Model 1). Each trap generally weighs less than 800 g and can be shipped by regular mail.
- Element 2 — The trap is designed to be suspended from a support, such as a tree branch, a coconut or other palm leaf, a wall, a roof, a post, or any other support, without being fixed in the ground. Unlike existing models relying on PVC tubes driven into the soil (Morin et al., 2001), this suspension principle allows the trap to be easily moved and its height or location adjusted. Recommended suspension height is generally 3 meters above the ground, but may vary depending on plantation age.
- Element 3 — The trap is designed to be manufactured from inexpensive materials using a simple fabrication process, so that its total cost is on the order of a few euros (materials and labor included). This economic accessibility, combined with ease of transport, makes the device suitable for use by small-scale farmers with limited financial and logistical resources.
- Element 4 (optional) — Inside the trap, a removable container with at least one diffusion hole may be inserted, containing an attractant mixture comprising at least one plant kairomone, and optionally ethyl chrysanthemumate (Chrislure) and/or β-myrcene, as well as optionally an antacid such as baking soda to limit acidification of pheromones produced by trapped insects. The released odor significantly increases insect captures.
- Element 5 (optional) — In the upper part of the trap, a solar-powered lighting system may be installed, emitting at least two wavelengths, e.g., ultraviolet (350–420 nm) and white or yellow light, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the trap.
The combination of the three essential elements (1, 2, 3), optionally supplemented by improvements (4 and/or 5), defines novel trap models, distinct from all devices described in the scientific, agricultural, and patent literature. Due to their low cost and high effectiveness, these traps represent a major innovation for integrated pest management against palm pest insects.
based on the same innovative principle: suspended flexible body (Example 1);
suspended flexible body with lower receptacle (Example 2);
upper receptacle with flexible body and lower receptacle (Example 3).
The three examples presented in figure 1 illustrate embodiments of the trap according to the invention. They are depicted in Fig. 1. Dimensional data are given for illustrative purposes; the innovation does not reside in specific dimensions but in the manufacturing principle and mode of operation.
Example 1 — Flexible Body Only (Truncated Cone or Flexible Tube)
The first example takes the form of a truncated cone with the widest part at the top, or a tube with a round, square, hexagonal, or other cross-section. It is made of a plastic bag, tarp, or fabric generally between 200 and 600 micrometers thick, hermetically sealed at the bottom. Its length is approximately 60 to 120 cm, and its diameter at the upper opening approximately 10 to 25 cm. The body may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, or may consist of an opaque upper portion and a transparent lower portion allowing observation of the contents.
The body is attached to two to four cords, rigid plastic strips, or chains, joined at the top in a suspension hook allowing the trap to be hung from a tree branch or any other support. Metal or plastic eyelets reinforce the attachment points. The suspension device may incorporate a direct-attachment system to a post, wall, or tree trunk (reinforced hole with screw fitting).
In the upper portion, the body features several entry holes distributed across its different faces, generally rounded-corner rectangular in shape (approx. 5 × 4 cm), optionally larger. Other shapes (oval, semicircle) are also suitable. A rigid device (crossed rods, cylinder, square frame or hexagonal frame in plastic, wood, or metal, attached by welding or rivets) keeps the upper opening in the open position.
Inside the body, 5–20 cm from the opening, an internal suspension system allows a removable container with at least one diffusion hole to be attached, containing the pheromone and optionally kairomones. Another removable container with at least one diffusion hole containing kairomones may also be placed at the bottom of the body.
The bottom closure is achieved either by welding or by a demountable system (two rods clamped by wing bolts or other sealing hardware or any other hermetic system) allowing easy emptying of captured insects. Optionally, one or more holes 8–14 mm in diameter, protected by reinforced grommets, may be made in the lower part of the body, 5–10 cm from the end, to regulate water level and allow small non-target insects to exit.
Optionally, a solar-powered lighting system is installed in the upper portion of the body, 2–10 cm below the opening, or above the body at 5–10 cm or more (shown only in Examples 2 and 3). This system preferably emits at least two types of light: ultraviolet (UV, 350–420 nm), white light, and/or colored light.
Example 2 — Flexible Body with Lower Receptacle
The second example consists of two main components: (1) a flexible tubular or truncated-cone body, and (2) a lower receptacle designed to contain captured insects. The flexible body has the same composition, dimensions, and suspension method as described in Example 1, to which reference is made for these characteristics.
The lower receptacle is preferably made of transparent or translucent plastic, allowing visual inspection of its contents without disassembly. Its capacity is generally 2 to 5 liters; 3–5 liters appears optimal. Cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped shapes are most suitable.
The lower receptacle is attached to the base of the flexible body by an easily demountable system, such as a hose clamp, elastic band, or a rod passing through two diametrically opposite holes, allowing easy emptying of captured insects. Optionally, one or more holes 8–14 mm in diameter may be made in the lower part of the receptacle, 5–10 cm from its end, to regulate water level and allow small non-target insects to exit.
Inside the body, the pheromone and kairomone dispensers are installed as described in Example 1. The optional solar-powered lighting system is installed as described in Example 1 and depicted graphically in Examples 2 and 3.
Example 3 — Upper Receptacle, Central Flexible Body, and Lower Receptacle
The third example consists of three components assembled top to bottom: (1) an upper receptacle to facilitate insect entry, (2) a central flexible body (truncated cone or tube), and (3) a lower receptacle to contain captured insects. All three components are assembled using easily demountable systems (hose clamps, elastic bands, or rods through two diametrically opposite holes) for easy maintenance and cleaning.
The upper receptacle (1) is generally made of transparent or translucent plastic—translucent appearing optimal—open at both top and bottom. Its capacity is approximately 2–5 liters (e.g., a cylindrical container 12.5 cm in diameter and 22 cm tall). It has several entry holes in its upper portion (approx. 5 × 4 cm rectangular, or circular, oval, or semicircular), and is attached to the suspension system (cords, chains, hook, eyelets) as described in Example 1.
The central flexible body (2) has the same composition, dimensions, and characteristics as described in Example 1. It may be transparent, translucent, or opaque (opaque appearing best for this model). It has no lateral entry holes of its own; these are provided by the upper receptacle.
The lower receptacle (3) is identical to that described in Example 2 (material, capacity, demountable attachment, regulation holes). The removable attractant containers and optional solar-powered lighting system are installed as described in Example 1.
Section oryt-3a, © Roland BOURDEIX, 2025