Insect trapping device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an insect trapping device comprising an inner passageway structure defining an inner passageway which, when in an upright orientation, extends from an insect entry zone to an insect delivery zone, the inner passageway structure bordered by at least a pair of opposed insect-facing traction-reducing boundary surface regions to cause an insect to progress toward the insect delivery zone under gravity, with each boundary surface region including at least one of at least a pair of electrode surface regions, wherein each electrode surface region is configured for operative coupling with an electrode power supply to deliver electrical power thereto, the electrode surface regions configured to form an electrocution zone therebetween, with a designated spacing which is configured to initiate electrocution of an instance of the insect descending through the electrocution zone.

1 . An insect trapping device comprising:
 a housing;   a base perimeter of the housing;   a summit region;   a traction-enabling outer entry surface region extending from the base perimeter toward the summit region, the traction-enabling outer entry surface region sloping upward and inward into the housing, the traction-enabling outer entry surface region enabling an insect to travel into the housing;   an insect collection zone having a substantially oxygen-depleted environment;   an outer traction-inhibiting boundary surface region extending downward and inward from the summit region toward the hypoxic insect collection zone, the outer traction-inhibiting boundary surface region comprising:
 an outer electrode structure; and 
 an outer electrode surface region on the outer electrode structure; 
   an inner traction-inhibiting boundary surface region facing the first traction-inhibiting boundary surface region, the inner traction-inhibiting boundary surface region comprising:
 an inner electrode structure; and 
 an inner electrode surface region on the inner electrode structure; 
   an electrode power supply operatively coupled to the inner electrode surface region to deliver electrical power to the inner electrode surface region, the electrode power supply further being operatively coupled to the outer electrode surface region to deliver electrical power to the outer electrode surface region, the delivered power to the inner electrode surface region and the outer electrode surface region forming an electrical potential between the inner electrode surface region and the outer electrode surface region;   an inner passageway for the insect to descend toward the insect delivery zone under gravity, the inner passageway being formed between the outer traction-inhibiting boundary surface region and the inner traction-inhibiting boundary surface region, the inner passageway comprising:
 a minimum spacing zone located between the outer traction-inhibiting boundary surface region and the inner traction-inhibiting boundary surface region, the minimum spacing zone further being located between the summit region and the hypoxic insect collection zone; and 
 an electrocution zone located between the outer electrode surface region and the inner electrode surface region, the electrocution zone comprising the electrical potential, the electrical potential being dischargeable by the insect to electrocute the insect as the insect descends toward the insect delivery zone. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a source of CO2 to supply CO2 beneath the electrocution zone. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the source of CO2 provides a continuous supply of CO2. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the source of CO2 provides an intermittent supply of CO2. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the source of CO2 is a replaceable source of CO2. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the source of CO2 maintains the substantially oxygen-depleted environment. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the source of CO2 supplies CO2 to render unconscious the insect. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the source of CO2 supplies CO2 to asphyxiate the insect. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a gas flow controller to control the supply of CO2. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum spacing zone defines a designated spacing that is within a size distribution of a designated population of insects sufficient for the insects to fall through the minimum spacing zone and into the insect collection zone. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode power supply is configured to deliver sufficient power to the outer electrode surface region and the inner electrode surface region to generate an electrical discharge according to a designated spacing. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode power supply is configured to generate an electrical potential sufficient to discharge and electrocute different sizes of insects at different points between the outer electrode surface region and the inner electrode surface region. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a heat source located near the summit region. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a removable source of odor beneath the electrocution zone. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a replaceable insect collection pad within the insect collection zone. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the replaceable insect collection pad comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the replaceable insect collection pad comprises an impregnated attractant odor composition. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the replaceable insect collection pad comprises an impregnated odor scent. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an electronic controller for monitoring the insect trapping device. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , the electronic controller further for data collecting.