Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a sustained release pheromone formulation, which is not affected by the air temperature, is able to release a sex pheromone at a constant rate, does not require troublesome recovery after use, and does not pollute the environment. The present invention provides a sustained release pheromone formulation characterized by comprising a pheromone contained in a crystalline mineral.

Abstract: In an apparatus for trapping and killing insects using an electric discharge between electrodes to count and/or kill insects or the like, the present invention presents a technology to almost certainly count and/or kill the insects or the like even when the applied voltage is set low. In an insect-trapping/killing apparatus as an embodiment of the invention, when an insect or the like enters the space between an outer electrode and a central electrode, an electric discharge passes through the insect or the like, whereby the insects or the like is killed. After that, the central electrode is rotated in a preset direction to remove the insect or the like downwards by the frictional force. Since the removing mechanism as described above solves the problem of the clogging of the space between electrodes by the insect or the like, the distance between the electrodes can be set as small as the size of the body of the insect or the like, and the applied voltage can be set accordingly low.

Abstract: A silicon melting crucible having a double structure, in which a quartz crucible is inserted inside of a carbon crucible, is provided with devices for preventing deformation, such as turning-down, buckling and bending at an upper portion of the quartz crucible, or invasion of an SiO gas into a space between the quartz crucible and the carbon crucible during pulling up of a silicon single crystal. According to one form of the invention an upper portion of the quartz crucible has a frusto-conical inclined portion with an angle of inclination desirably of from 5.degree. to 40.degree.. According to another form of the invention a carbon ring having a cross section of either L-shape or U-shape is applied to the upper portion of the quartz crucible and the carbon crucible.

Abstract: A miticidal composition comprising a water-soluble acidic high polymer electrolyte of branching crosslinked polymer having a plurality of carboxyl groups as active ingredient and an aqueous medium is effective for various spider mites without causing chemical injury.