Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K67/00—Rearing or breeding animals, not otherwise provided for; New or modified breeds of animals
  • A01K67/30—Rearing or breeding invertebrates
  • A01K67/34—Insects
  • A01K67/36—Industrial rearing of insects, e.g. insect farms
  • A01K67/362—Containers or crates
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
  • A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
  • A01K1/03—Housing for domestic or laboratory animals
  • A01K1/031—Cages for laboratory animals; Cages for measuring metabolism of animals
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K67/00—Rearing or breeding animals, not otherwise provided for; New or modified breeds of animals
  • A01K67/30—Rearing or breeding invertebrates
  • A01K67/34—Insects
  • A01K67/36—Industrial rearing of insects, e.g. insect farms
  • A01K67/368—Feeding; Watering
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
  • A01M1/00—Stationary means for catching or killing insects
  • A01M1/02—Stationary means for catching or killing insects with devices or substances, e.g. food, pheronones attracting the insects

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a food dispenser device designed to attract and feed insects, in particular ants.
• the disclosure further related to a method for attracting and feeding ants near crops, for example fruit trees in an orchard or vegetable crops on a field.
• a farmer In order to optimize the production yield of any farm, a farmer needs to take care of many parameters that contribute to it, such as weather conditions, plant diseases, agronomical conditions, fertilizer choices, pest control and more.
• the latter involves various animals that may be harmful to a given crop or fruit, such as insects that can damage the fruits of trees.
• One way to address that issue is by spraying chemical pesticides on the crops, which can be effective, but it can also cause health issues for the people eating the crops, and it is also harmful to surrounding natural habitats, causing biodiversity declines. Therefore, a different solution must be applied, which can be effective against insect pest and crop diseases, healthy for the consumers and friendly to the environment.
• the present disclosure in one embodiment relates to an ant feeding device for hanging in orchards comprising a housing accommodating a storage chamber comprising a first opening at an upper end.
• the storage chamber may be filled with a liquid solution, which can attract ants.
• the ant feeding device may further comprise a feeding chamber comprising a bottom end for detachable attachment to the upper end of the storage chamber, a second opening in the bottom end, and at least one insect passage configured for allowing ants to enter and exit the feeding chamber.
• the feeding chamber can be attached to the storage chamber, by e.g. a snap-fit engagement or by a thread mechanism.
• the at least one insect passage may be narrow enough, such as having a diameter of less than 10 mm, to prevent any larger insects than ants from accessing the feeding chamber of the device.
• different types of insect passages can be designed. For example, for smaller types of ants, the insect passages can be designed accordingly, being barely large enough to allow such ants to access the feeding chamber. In other situations where larger ants may be chosen, then the insect passages’ size can be designed accordingly to accommodate such ants.
• the ant feeding device can further comprise an elongated liquid absorbent element, and a barrier for separating the storage chamber from the feeding chamber and holding the liquid absorbent element such that a lower part of the liquid absorbent element is positioned in the storage chamber and an upper part of the liquid absorbent element is positioned in the feeding chamber. Therefore, it is possible that the liquid absorbent element absorbs the solution from the storage chamber, and the ants can access it by entering the feeding chamber.
• the feeding device is configured for holding, in the storage chamber, a liquid solution comprising feed for ants to be absorbed by the lower part of the liquid absorbent element and harvested by ants from the upper part of the absorbent element in the feeding chamber.
• a barrier has several advantages. At first, it may assist the liquid absorbent element to be fixed on a certain position. Having the liquid absorbent element in a position free to move in the housing can create problems, such as when there are strong winds in an orchard. Therefore, it can be important to have such a barrier which can prevent any unwanted movement of the liquid absorbent element.
• the presence of the barrier may reduce the evaporation of the liquid solution, as it can be made of an opaque material. Such a feature can increase the life- time of a given volume of liquid solution, allowing most of the liquid solution to be harvested by the ants, and minimizing possible evaporation of the solution, where said evaporation can be significant during warmer months of the year.
• having a barrier in the ant feeding device can be beneficial as it can prevent ants from falling in the storage chamber. As a result, the ants can access the ant feeding device through the passages, harvest the liquid solution from the liquid absorbent element, and then exit the feeding device.
• the ant feeding device may also be configured to feed other types of insects, by adjusting the insect passages in order to accommodate insects of larger or smaller size.
• the size of the overall housing may also be modified accordingly, to accommodate the size of the insects of interest.
• the device described above may have the liquid solution positioned at the lower part of the device, e.g. in the storage chamber.
• the liquid absorbent element By using the liquid absorbent element, it is possible to transfer some of the liquid solution on the upper part of the device, where the feeding chamber is. By doing so, ants can enter the feeding chamber and harvest the liquid solution from the elongated liquid absorbent element.
• the present disclosure relates to an alternative device geometry where the liquid solution is positioned at the upper part of the device, and therefore a different method can be used to feed the ants. Such an embodiment is described below.
• the present disclosure in another embodiment relates to an ant feeding device for hanging in orchards wherein the liquid is provided to the insects via a liquid absorbent element.
• This embodiment may comprise a housing with a storage chamber and a feeding chamber, and wherein the feeding chamber can be provided below the storage chamber and the feed is transported to the feeding chamber via the liquid absorbent element.
• the storage chamber may comprise a first opening at a bottom.
• a feeding chamber can be provided as part of the housing.
• the feeding chamber preferably comprises an upper end, e.g. for detachable attachment to the bottom end of the storage chamber.
• a second opening can be provided in the upper end of the feeding chamber.
• the feeding device is preferably configured for holding a liquid solution comprising feed for the ants, preferably in the storage chamber.
• the ants must somehow have access to the liquid solution with the feed.
• the housing may comprise an element for separating the storage chamber and the feeding chamber, for example such that the liquid solution is abutting one side of the element and the ants feed off the other side of the element, one example is that the feeding device is configured such that liquid solution is confined on a top surface of the mesh net in a storage I feeding configuration of the feeding device.
• the element may be in form of a mesh net for separating the first opening of the storage chamber and the second opening of the feeding chamber.
• the feeding device may be configured for holding a liquid solution comprising feed for the ants in the storage chamber such that the liquid solution is confined on a top surface of the mesh net, i.e. for example when the feeding device is positioned in an upright position with the storage chamber above the feeding chamber.
• the feeding device is preferably configured for maintaining the liquid solution in the storage chamber without it running out, as it can be configured to sustain the liquid on the top surface of the mesh net. That is achieved by employing the surface tension in the liquid solution on the interface between the liquid solution and the mesh of the mesh net.
• the feeding device may further be configured for insects to access the feeding chamber via the at least one insect passage and harvest the sugar solution through liquid absorbent element or through the mesh net.
• the insects can feed by having access to the liquid solution, as surface tension would allow them to collect the liquid solution from the lower side of the mesh net.
• the insects could harvest the liquid solution by penetrating their tongues through the mesh net thereby disturbing the surface tension of the liquid-mesh net interface.
• the present disclosure further relates to a method for attracting and feeding insects comprising the following steps. 1) Providing a feeding device, such as the presently disclosed feeding device, which can be hanged on a tree or placed in a field, 2) providing a liquid solution in a storage chamber and using a top surface of a mesh net to sustain the liquid solution in a bottom part of the storage chamber employing negative pressure in the storage chamber and surface tension.
• the term negative pressure as used herein refers to a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure.
• Figs. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment of the presently disclosed feeding device having a storage chamber, a feeding chamber with insect passages, and a mesh net wherein Fig. 1 shows a schematic side-view of the storage chamber. Figs. 2A-B shows a side view and a rotated side view of the feeding chamber, respectively.
• Fig. 5A-B shows a side-view and a rotated side-view, respectively of the part where an attachment element can be connected.
• Fig. 6 shows an example of an assembled housing where the feeding chamber is attached on the storage chamber.
• Fig. 8 show schematics of side view, top view and perspective view of an example of a feeding chamber.
• Fig. 9 A, B show schematics of an example of a barrier to be used in the ant feeding device.
• Ant feeding device having a liquid absorbent element
• a preferred embodiment relates to ant feeding device for installation in orchards or fields comprising a housing accommodating a storage chamber comprising a first opening at an upper end and a feeding chamber comprising a bottom end for detachable attachment to the upper end of the storage chamber, a second opening in the bottom end, and at least one insect passage configured for allowing ants to enter and exit the feeding chamber.
• the housing further accommodates an elongated liquid absorbent element, and a barrier for separating the storage chamber from the feeding chamber and holding the liquid absorbent element such that a lower part of the liquid absorbent element is positioned in the storage chamber and an upper part of the liquid absorbent element is positioned in the feeding chamber.
• the feeding device is configured for holding, in the storage chamber, a liquid solution comprising feed for ants to be absorbed by the lower part of the liquid absorbent element and harvested by ants from the upper part of the absorbent element in the feeding chamber.
• an ant feeding device comprising a storage chamber 700, a feeding chamber 701 and a liquid absorbent element 702.
• the storage chamber may be filled with a sugar solution, which can attract ants in the ant feeding device.
• the ants can enter through insect passages from the feeding chamber, and the ants can harvest the sugar solution via the upper part 703 of the liquid absorbent element 702.
• the lower part 704 of the liquid absorbent element 702 is able to soak the solution from the storage chamber, and therefore allow ants to harvest the solution in the feeding chamber, without being in contact with the reservoir of the solution.
• the ant feeding device can be configured, such that the feeding chamber comprises a snap-fit mechanism, configured to attach the ant feeding device on a docking station, said docking station is attached on a tree.
• Fig. 10 shows an example of a docking station 1000, which can be attached to a snap- fit mechanism of an ant feeding device.
• the feeding device can be configured, such that the barrier has a thickness preferably larger than 0.1 mm, more preferably larger than 0.5 mm, even more preferably larger than 0.75 mm, most preferably around 1 mm.
• a thick enough barrier can be beneficial, as it can successfully secure the liquid absorbent element in place.
• the liquid absorbent element is made of cotton, cloth, fiber, wood, metallic or plastic material.
• a combination of materials may also be used to make a liquid absorbent element. Any material that is capable of being soaked by a liquid solution can be used, however it may be important that the material is robust enough, to not be damaged after a long period of being soaked with the liquid solution. Such a feature can allow a liquid absorbent material to last for extended periods without compromising the functionality of the ant feeding device.
• the feeding device can be configured, such that the elongated liquid absorbent element is made of a material with a finite sorptivity coefficient.
• the sorptivity coefficient describes a material’s ability to absorb and transmit a liquid, such as liquid solution, through the material via capillary suction.
• the elongated liquid absorbent element can function following the sorptivity principle, as the liquid solution can be transmitted via capillary forces throughout the liquid absorbent element. Therefore, the liquid solution may be found in the upper part of the liquid absorbent element due to this effect.
• the feeding device can be configured, such that the elongated liquid absorbent element has a substantially cylindrical shape. Other types of shapes may also be utilized.
• the feeding device can be configured, such that the length of the elongated liquid absorbent element is preferably larger than 50 mm, more preferably larger than 100 mm, most preferably larger than 125 mm, most preferably 150 mm. Depending on the size of the feeding device, different lengths of the liquid absorbent element can be chosen.
• the feeding device can be configured, such that the elongated liquid absorbent element has a thickness preferably larger than 0.5 cm, more preferably larger than 1 cm, most preferably larger than 1.5 cm. The thicker the liquid absorbent element, the more liquid solution can be transferred in the feeding device where the ants can access the liquid solution. Hence, depending on the expected population of the ants in an orchard, different thickness of liquid absorbent element can be chosen, allowing a user to increase or decrease the amount of liquid solution that reaches the feeding chamber in a period of time.
• the liquid solution can be stored in the storage chamber 700 which is positioned at the lower part of the device.
• the liquid absorbent element By utilizing the liquid absorbent element, it is possible to soak some of the liquid solution allowing ants to enter the feeding chamber 701 and access the liquid solution from the upper part of the liquid absorbent element.
• the liquid solution can be placed at the upper part of the device.
• Such an embodiment utilizes a mesh net as an interface between the storage chamber and the feeding chamber, where the mesh net can hold the liquid solution on its upper surface, by means of surface tension. Further details regarding that embodiment are given in the sections below.
• Ant feeding device having a mesh net
• the present disclosure relates to an ant feeding device hanging in orchards or fields comprising a housing.
• the housing includes a storage chamber (Fig. 1 (100)) comprising a first opening at a bottom end (101) and a feeding chamber (Fig. 2A,B (200)).
• Fig. 2A shows a side view of an embodiment of a feeding chamber
• Fig. 2B shows a rotated view of a feeding chamber.
• the feeding chamber comprises an upper end (201) for detachable attachment to the bottom end of the storage chamber, a second opening in the upper end (204), and at least one insect passage (Fig. 3 (300)).
• Fig. 2B illustrates the thread mechanism (203) that can be used to attach the upper end of the feeding chamber to the bottom end of the storage chamber.
• Fig. 3 shows the bottom view of an embodiment of the feeding chamber, where multiple passages can be designed. In this embodiment, a plurality of insect passages are designed in a circular pattern around the circumference of the bottom end of the feeding chamber
• the storage chamber can be made of a compact cylindrical material, which has a tapered opening (101).
• the storage chamber can be connected to the feeding chamber by employing threads in the tapered part (102).
• the housing may comprise a mesh net for separating the first opening of the storage chamber and the second opening of the feeding chamber, wherein the feeding device is configured for holding a liquid solution comprising feed for the insects in the storage chamber such that the liquid solution is confined on a top surface of the mesh net.
• the mesh net preferably has a mesh size of less than 500 pm, preferably less than 350 pm, more preferably less than 250 pm, more preferably less than 100 pm, most preferably between 25 and 75 pm, for example around 50 pm.
• the thickness of the mesh net should be less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, more preferably less than 1.25 mm, most preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm, preferably around 0.75 mm.
• the device may also comprise a ring structure attached to a perimeter of the mesh net, allowing the mesh net to be detachable from the feeding chamber without damaging the mesh net.
• the ring structure may also act as a packing element, as it can assist in having a tight fit between the feeding chamber and the storage chamber.
• An embodiment of a ring structure can be seen in Fig. 4A (400) and a magnified pattern of a mesh net in Fig. 4B (401).
• the mesh net can be fit exactly for the dimensions of the ring by cutting the mesh net in a circular pattern, and the whole structure can be positioned before the threads shown in Fig. 2B (202).
• the mesh net can be for example plain weave, twill weave or Dutch weave. This design can make the device more robust, and maintain the mesh net in place, in case of sudden movement of vibrations of the housing caused by external conditions, such as air gusts.
• the device may be configured to sustain the liquid on the top surface of the mesh net by introducing negative pressure in the storage chamber. This is a relevant function for the device, as it can prevent the liquid from dripping and it can store the liquid in the storage chamber until insects access the feeding chamber and harvest it.
• the device can also be configured to sustain the liquid on the top surface of the mesh net, by means of surface tension in the liquid solution on the interface between the liquid solution and the mesh of the mesh net.
• This can be achieved by using a specific combination of mesh net hole size, liquid solution viscosity and a method for filling the liquid solution which can introduce negative pressure in the storage chamber.
• the method for filling the liquid solution is described further below.
• the liquid solution is made of pure water, then it may be less sturdy and it would be more prone to external actions such as if the dispenser was shaken by wind. This could result is some liquid pouring out of the dispenser. More information regarding the size of the mesh net, the viscosity of the liquid solution and the contents of it is disclosed further below in the detailed description.
• the device can be further configured for feeding insects by harvesting the liquid solution that is collected in the bottom surface of the mesh net by means of surface tension.
• the device can be further configured for feeding insects by harvesting the liquid solution that is collected in the bottom surface of the mesh net by means of surface tension.
• the device can be further configured for feeding insects by access to the liquid solution through the mesh net. That can be achieved for example for ants, as the device can be configured for feeding insects by access to the liquid solution through the mesh net by penetrating their tongues through the mesh net thereby disturbing the surface tension of the liquid-mesh net interface. As the ants are entering the feeding chamber, they can move closer to the mesh net, and since their tongues have smaller size than the holes of the mesh net, they can use them to access the liquid through the mesh net, and harvest it.
• This process achieves multiple purposes, as it succeeds in feeding ants, while at the same time it can introduce an additional barrier to prevent any larger insects from accessing the liquid solution, as their tongues would be too large to trigger the above process.
• the main method of preventing larger insects from accessing the liquid solution is the configuration of the passages on the feeding chamber, which is described in a later paragraph.
• the device can have the mesh net further configured, such that the mesh net has mesh size of less than 500 pm, preferably less than 350 pm, more preferably less than 250 pm, more preferably less than 100 pm, most preferably between 25 and 75 pm, for example around 50 pm.
• the mesh hole size should be small enough to prevent the liquid solution from dripping, while at the same time allowing the insects to disturb the surface tension in the interface of the mesh net and the liquid solution, to harvest the liquid solution.
• the device can be further configured, such that the thickness of the mesh net is less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, more preferably less than 1.25 mm, most preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm, preferably around 0.75 mm.
• the thickness of the mesh net is relevant, as it needs to be thick enough to withstand the liquid solution without the mesh net bending. In case of bending, the surface tension can be different in the middle of the mesh net in comparison to the perimeter, and that may lead to areas where the liquid solution can be more prone to dripping.
• the mesh net can be made of a textile, plastic or metallic material.
• the presently disclosed device may be configured for insects to access the feeding chamber via the at least one insect passage and harvest the sugar solution through the liquid absorbent element or through the mesh net. It is beneficial for the feeding chamber to have multiple passages, as that would allow more insects to access the feeding chamber simultaneously. Moreover, the presence of multiple passages serves as an insurance, since a passage maybe be blocked by weather conditions such as dirt or mud particles being blown and causing blockages in a passage.
• the device can have the passages of the feeding chamber further configured, such that the at least one insect passage has a diameter of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 12.5 mm, more preferably less than 10 mm, most preferably less than 8 mm, or between 2.5 and 7.5, preferably around 5 mm.
• This is a useful functionality of the device, as the small passage diameter would allow exclusive access to ants, and not other insects that would be interested in the liquid solution. If the passages would be larger, then a competition would be set between different insect species, and the purpose of maintaining ant colonies near farms would possibly not succeed.
• the size of the ant passages could be configured depending on the size of the insect that is desired to be fed.
• the device can have the passages further configured, such that the insect passages are located in a bottom part of the feeding chamber.
• This may be useful for the feeding process as it can be the shortest route for the ants to enter from the bottom of the feeding chamber, as they can approach the feeding device from the ground.
• this can be beneficial in comparison to having the passages for example on the sides of the feeding chamber, as having the passages on the bottom part of the feeding chamber protects them from weather effects, or possibly dirt particles entering the feeding chamber and disturbing the feeding process.
• An embodiment of multiple passages located in the bottom part of the feeding chamber can be seen in Fig. 3.
• the device may be further configured, such that the storage chamber and the feeding chamber are configured for threaded engagement and/or snap-fit engagement. Since the functionality of the device relies on the liquid solution being intact inside the storage chamber, it is important that the two parts (feeding and storage chamber) are locked together. Therefore, a thread or a snap-fit mechanism can be used to achieve that.
• An embodiment of a thread mechanism can be seen in Fig. 1 (102) and in Fig. 2 (203).
• the device May be further configured such that the liquid solution has viscosity of less than 75 mPa s, preferably less than 50 mPa s, preferably less than 20 mPa s, more preferably less than 10 mPa s, even more preferably around 6 mPa s.
• the viscosity is directly linked to the sugar concentration of the liquid solution. The higher the sugar concentration, the larger the viscosity. Even though a value of viscosity much larger than 50 mPa s will reassure that the liquid solution will not drip through the mesh net, it would also make it challenging for insects such as ants to harvest it, as it may condense into solid form, possibly making the insects unable to leave the feeding chamber as their movements would be impaired.
• the device can be further configured, such that the size of the at least one insect passage is adjustable to adapt to insects of different size.
• This feature can for example be utilized for feeding insects of different sizes, which may be useful for different agricultural tasks. For example, if the goal of a farmer or a scientific experiment is to feed and monitor bees, it can be possible to create feeding devices wherein the passages have larger diameter, such as 50 mm.
• the device may be further configured such that the housing has a cylindrical, spheric, cubic or rectangular shape.
• the storage chamber can have dimensions of at least 15 cm height and at a diameter of at least 5 cm.
• the storage chamber can have dimensions of at least 5 cm length, at least 5 cm width and at least 15 cm height. It is important that the storage chamber has a minimum volume, in order to be able to contain a liquid solution that can last for a season.
• the device can be further configured, such that the feeding chamber preferably has the same length and width as the storage chamber and at least half the height of the storage chamber for a rectangular shape, or in case of a cylindrical device, the feeding chamber preferably has the same diameter as the storage chamber and at least half the height of the storage chamber.
• the mesh net can be configured accordingly, and it may have a circular or rectangular shape, depending on the shape of the storage and feeding chambers.
• the presently disclosed device can have a volume of the storage chamber which is less than 2 L, preferably less than 1.5 L, more preferably less than 1 L, most preferably less than 0.5 L, or between 0.2 and 0.75, preferably around 0.25 L.
• a volume of 0.25 L can be an ideal amount to feed a colony of ants for a season.
• the volume of the storage chamber can be adjusted to accommodate the increased demand for the liquid solution.
• the device can be further configured, such that the material that the storage chamber and the feeding chamber are made of is plastic, metallic, glass or wooden.
• the device can be further configured to comprise an attachment element on a top part of the housing for suspension of the device, for example from a branch of a tree.
• An embodiment of an attachment element can be seen in Fig. 5B (500).
• the attachment element is included in an additional part (501), which can be attached to the storage chamber by a snap-fit mechanism.
• This part may comprise a hollow cylindrical element with one opening, comprising the attachment element on the bottom part which has no opening.
• Fig. 6 (600) This is an important feature of the device, as it can stimulate the insects to be near the fruits of trees, causing them to guard them from pests, as they are harvesting the liquid solution.
• the attachment element can be made of plastic, metallic or wooden material, and it can be a ring structure.
• a piece of rope or plastic material can be fastened from the ring structure, and the other end of the material can be fastened on a branch of a tree.
• FIG. 6 An embodiment of the assembled device can be seen in Fig. 6, where an example of a feeding device is shown.
• the feeding chamber (200) can be attached to the storage chamber (100) by a threaded engagement and/or snap-fit mechanism, and the part comprising the attachment element (600) can be attached on the top part of the storage chamber.
• Monitoring the liquid solution volume and the insect population can be seen in Fig. 6, where an example of a feeding device is shown.
• a useful feature of the presently disclosed feeding device(s) is to be able to monitor various values during its operation in a field.
• the device can be configured to comprise at least one sensor configured to monitor the volume of the liquid solution.
• the sensor may be for example a pressure sensor positioned near the bottom of the storage chamber, which can measure the remaining weight of the liquid solution and convert it to volume.
• This feature can be useful, as it would allow the farmer to know when the liquid solution is running out, and act soon enough to refill it.
• this feature can be important when different feeding devices are used in various areas of a field, and by calculating the remaining liquid solution one can determine the size of the colony near each feeding device.
• the device may also comprise a sensor, such as in an interior and/or exterior wall of the storage chamber, configured to monitor the temperature and humidity of the storage chamber and of the vicinity of the housing.
• a sensor such as in an interior and/or exterior wall of the storage chamber, configured to monitor the temperature and humidity of the storage chamber and of the vicinity of the housing. This feature can in combination with monitoring the liquid solution of the storage chamber, assist in understanding if there is a correlation between the various weather conditions and the consumption of the liquid solution by the insects.
• a temperature, humidity, rain accumulation, wind strength, and/or sunlight sensor may be installed at the exterior of the feeding device, and the sensor can collect data which could be used by a user e.g., a farmer in order to correlate local weather data which can assist the farmer into estimating certain agricultural tasks, such as when to harvest crops or when to employ different crop protection methods.
• the device can be further configured to comprise at least one sensor positioned in an interior wall of the device, configured to monitor an insect population in the feeding chamber.
• This sensor can be for example a sensitive weight sensor in the feeding chamber, or an infrared sensor, that would collect movement signals from the feeding chamber and notify the farmer when new insects are entering the device.
• the infrared sensor may also be utilized and further configured to monitor the size of the insects in the feeding chamber. This can be a useful tool, to verify the type of insects and specifically ants that have access to the feeding device.
• such a sensor can be used to verify that no other insects are accessing the feeding device, apart from the ones that are intended to.
• an insect monitoring system comprising a plurality of feeding devices based on the above description can be configured, comprising a receiver for receiving data from the devices and a processing unit configured to process data from the devices.
• the device can further be configured to include pheromone capsules or any other type of storage or contraption for the release of pheromones.
• the pheromones can be chosen based on the type of ants that is intended to be attracted to the device and that needs to be established in the orchard or field.
• the device can also be configured to include a solar panel that can power the sensors used.
• the present disclosure relates to a method directed to attracting and feeding insects using the ant feeding device having a liquid absorbent element.
• the present disclosure relates to a method for attracting and feeding ants using a housing comprising the steps of providing an ant feeding device which can be installed in an orchard or placed in a field, said ant feeding device comprising a storage chamber and a feeding chamber, providing a liquid solution in a storage chamber, providing an elongated liquid absorbent element having a lower part in the storage chamber and an upper part in the feeding chamber, wherein the liquid solution can be absorbed by the lower part of the liquid absorbent element, and providing at least one insect passage in the feeding chamber, wherein the insect passage provides access to the feeding chamber allowing insects to harvest the liquid solution from the upper part of the liquid absorbent element.
• Such a method can be configured to have any of the features described in the present disclosure.
• the present disclosure also relates to a method for attracting and feeding insects using a housing comprising the steps of: providing a feeding device which can be hanged on a tree or placed in a field; providing a liquid solution in a storage chamber; using a top surface of a mesh net to sustain the liquid solution in a bottom part of the storage chamber employing negative pressure in the storage chamber and surface tension; providing a feeding chamber below the storage chamber, comprising at least one passage with size adjustable to the animal size that is desired to be fed, and wherein the feeding chamber provides access for the insects to harvest I feed of the liquid solution from a bottom surface of the mesh net.
• a method for attracting and feeding insects according to the above can be realized, further comprising the step of placing multiple devices in a field, wherein the feeding device is the feeding device according to what is mentioned in the detailed description.
• a further method for operating I handling I filling the device comprising the steps of:
• the purpose of this method is to efficiently refill the storage chamber without causing the liquid solution to drip through the mesh net. That is because if the rotation is performed, then negative pressure would prevent the liquid solution in the storage chamber from dripping through the mesh net when the device is rotated back to its original state.
• the space between the feeding and the storage chambers would need to be airtight to ensure that the liquid solution would not run out of the mesh net.
• a kit-of-parts comprising the device is disclosed, and a liquid solution comprising feed for insects.
• the liquid solution can have has a viscosity of less than 75 mPa s, preferably less than 50 mPa s, preferably less than 20 mPa s, more preferably less than 10 mPa s, even more preferably around 6 mPa s.
• the liquid solution may comprise preservatives and/or amino acids and/or vitamins.
• the addition of those compounds can be useful, as it can reduce the chances of ants forming mutualisms with aphids, which are considered a pest for various farms.
• adding these compounds may make the sugar more valuable to the ants, as well as provide them with potentially important vitamins.
• the addition of preservatives can ensure that the shelf life of the liquid solution is extended.
• the liquid solution may be further configured to have different sources of sugar.
• the device can be configured such that the storage chamber contains a water solution.
• the kit of parts can be further configured such that the liquid solution comprises sugar in a concentration of less than 80%, preferably less than 60%, more preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 45%, even more preferably around 40%.
• the addition of sugar in the liquid solution can be beneficial, as it can assist in breaking the ant-aphid mutualisms.
• One embodiment of the present disclosure can relate to a liquid solution with a sugar concentration of 40%.
• the liquid solution can have a viscosity of 8 mPa s.
• the liquid solution can also comprise preservatives, amino acids or vitamins. This liquid solution can be installed in a feeding device according to the above description and it can lead to an established ant population in an orchard or a farm, assisting to the minimization of various pests.
• An ant feeding device for installation in orchards or fields comprising a housing accommodating: a storage chamber comprising a first opening at an upper end; a feeding chamber comprising
• the feeding device is configured for holding, in the storage chamber, a liquid solution comprising feed for ants to be absorbed by the lower part of the liquid absorbent element and harvested by ants from the upper part of the absorbent element in the feeding chamber.
• the barrier has a thickness preferably larger than 0.1 mm, more preferably larger than 0.5 mm, even more preferably larger than 0.75 mm, most preferably around 1 mm.
• the barrier comprises an opening
• the opening has a diameter preferably larger than 5 mm, more preferably larger than 8 mm, most preferably larger than 12 mm, such as 15 mm.
• the elongated liquid absorbent element is made of cotton, cloth, fiber, wood, metallic or plastic material.
• the length of the elongated liquid absorbent element is preferably larger than 50 mm, more preferably larger than 100 mm, most preferably larger than 125 mm, most preferably 150 mm.
• An ant feeding device for installation in orchards or fields comprising a housing accommodating: a storage chamber comprising a first opening at a bottom end; a feeding chamber comprising
• the feeding device is configured for holding a liquid solution comprising feed for the ants in the storage chamber such that the liquid solution is confined on a top surface of the mesh net.
• the device according to item 10 comprising a ring structure attached to a perimeter of the mesh net.
• the device according to any one of the items 10-11 configured to sustain the liquid on the top surface of the mesh net by introducing negative pressure in the storage chamber.
• the device according to any one of the items 10-12 configured to sustain the liquid on the top surface of the mesh net by means of surface tension in the liquid solution on the interface between the liquid solution and the mesh of the mesh net.
• the device according to any one of the items 10-13 configured for feeding insects by harvesting the liquid solution that is collected in the bottom surface of the mesh net by means of surface tension.
• the device according to any of the preceding items further configured for insects to access the feeding chamber via the at least one insect passage and harvest the sugar solution through the mesh net. 16.
• the storage chamber and the feeding chamber are configured for threaded engagement and/or snap-fit engagement.
• liquid solution has viscosity of less than 75 mPa s, preferably less than 50 mPa s, preferably less than 20 mPa s, more preferably less than 10 mPa s, even more preferably around 6 mPa s.
• the at least one insect passage has a diameter of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 12.5 mm, more preferably less than 10 mm, most preferably less than 8 mm, or between 2.5 and 7.5, preferably around 5 mm.
• a size of the at least one insect passage is adjustable to adapt to insects of different size.
• the thickness of the mesh net is less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1.5 mm, more preferably less than 1.25 mm, most preferably between 0.5 and 1 mm, preferably around 0.75 mm.
• the mesh net has mesh size of less than 500 pm, preferably less than 350 pm, more preferably less than 250 pm, more preferably less than 100 pm, most preferably between 25 and 75 pm, for example around 50 pm.
• a method for attracting and feeding insects using a housing comprising the steps of: providing a feeding device which can be hanged on a tree or placed in a field; providing a liquid solution in a storage chamber; using a top surface of a mesh net to sustain the liquid solution in a bottom part of the storage chamber employing negative pressure in the storage chamber and surface tension; providing a feeding chamber below the storage chamber, comprising at least one passage with size adjustable to the animal size that is desired to be fed, and wherein the feeding chamber provides access for the insects to harvest I feed of the liquid solution from a bottom surface of the mesh net.
• the storage chamber has dimensions of at least 5 cm length, at least 5 cm width and at least 15 cm height.
• the volume of the storage chamber is less than 2 L, preferably less than 1.5 L, more preferably less than 1 L, most preferably less than 0.5 L, or between 0.2 and 0.75, preferably around 0.25 L.
• attachment element is made by plastic, metallic or wooden material.
• the device according to any of the preceding items comprising at least one sensor configured to monitor the volume of the liquid solution.
• the device comprising at least one sensor positioned in an exterior wall of the device, configured to monitor and collect meteorological data, such as temperature, humidity, rain accumulation, wind strength, or sunlight.
• meteorological data such as temperature, humidity, rain accumulation, wind strength, or sunlight.
• the device according to any one of the preceding items comprising at least one pheromone device, such as a capsule, or any other type of storage or contraption for the release of pheromones, to attract ants to the device.
• pheromone device such as a capsule, or any other type of storage or contraption for the release of pheromones, to attract ants to the device.
• the feeding chamber comprises a snap-fit mechanism, configured to attach the ant feeding device on a docking station, said docking station is attached to a tree or crop.
• An insect monitoring system comprising a plurality of feeding devices according to any of the preceding items, a receiver for receiving data from the devices and a processing unit configured to process data from the devices.
• a method for attracting and feeding insects any of the preceding items further comprising the step of placing multiple devices in a field.
• liquid solution comprises preservatives and/or amino acids and/or vitamins.
• kit of parts according to any of the preceding items wherein the liquid solution comprising sugar in a concentration of less than 80%, preferably less than 60%, more preferably less than 50%, more preferably less than 45%, even more preferably around 40%.
• a method for attracting and feeding ants using a housing comprising the steps of: providing an ant feeding device which can be installed on a tree in an orchard or placed in a field, said ant feeding device comprising a storage chamber and a feeding chamber, providing a liquid solution in a storage chamber, providing an elongated liquid absorbent element having a lower part in the storage chamber and an upper part in the feeding chamber, wherein the liquid solution can be absorbed by the lower part of the liquid absorbent element, providing at least one insect passage in the feeding chamber, wherein the insect passage provides access to the feeding chamber allowing insects to harvest the liquid solution from the upper part of the liquid absorbent element.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
• Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=86053925

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2024
  • 2024-04-18 EP EP24719187.7A patent/EP4697943A2/de active Pending
  • 2024-04-18 AU AU2024258762A patent/AU2024258762A1/en active Pending
  • 2024-04-18 WO PCT/EP2024/060584 patent/WO2024218229A2/en not_active Ceased

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events