Entomological Culture Device Patents (Class 119/6.5)
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Publication number: 20150000600Abstract: The present invention in general relates to the field of rearing of commercially relevant mites. More particularly the present invention relates to a mite composition, suitable for the commercial rearing of mites, a method for rearing mites and a rearing device using the composition of the invention, a method for crop protection using the composition according to the invention wherein the mite is selected as a predatory mite, and the use of a carrier material for rearing a mite species.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Karel Jozef Florent Bolckmans, Yvonne Maria Van Houten, Adelmar Emmanuel Van Baal, Radbout Timmer, Damien Marc Morel
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Patent number: 8919281Abstract: A method is provided for culturing cochineal insects. In accordance with the method, a medium is created (101-109) from a mixture comprising a plant or cactus additive and a polymeric material. The medium is then inoculated (111) with a species selected from the group consisting of the genus Dactylopius.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Badderloch Woad, Inc.Inventors: Constance M. Hendrickson, Denise Lynn Merkle
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Patent number: 8919280Abstract: An apparatus and method for sterile insect technique comprising a plurality of x-ray sources surrounding a container containing insects targeted for reproductive sterilization, wherein the container is at an optimized distance from the x-ray sources, moves at a fixed rate along a direction perpendicular to a plane intersecting the x-ray sources, and rotates about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said x-ray sources.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Ronald P. Haff, Eric S. Jackson
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Patent number: 8844465Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling maturation of aquatically hatched insects. The apparatus comprises a drainable container for housing an egg laying medium for the insects; a filter operatively connected to the container for containing debris in the egg laying medium; and a selectively sealable catch basin located below the container for receiving the egg laying medium from the container when the container is drained. One or more outlets are provided on the catch basin for operatively releasing gas from the catch basin. The apparatus and method enhances the attractiveness of the artificial breeding pool to the gravid insects and helps control the local insect population.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventors: Kristian J. K. Holland, Gerardo Ulibarri
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Patent number: 8802919Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for the production of attenuated aseptic parasites in haematophagous insects generally, and production of Plasmodium species sporozoites in Anopheles species mosquitoes specifically; apparatuses and methods for the production of strains of haematophagous insects with desired properties such as hypoallergenicity or hyperinfectivity; methods of producing a parasite strain that is capable of withstanding cyropreservation at temperatures close to freezing; apparatuses and methods for the injection of an attenuated parasite vaccine; production of parasites and haematophagous insects that are free from contamination by unwanted biological agents; apparatuses for the reconstruction of complex parasitic life cycles aseptically to avoid the contamination of the parasite or the insect vector host with unwanted biological agents.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Sanaria Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Hoffman, Thomas C. Luke
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Patent number: 8733283Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biological control. Specifically, it relates to the use of predator mites as biological control agents for reducing damage to crops by insect pests. In particular, it relates to a new method for rearing predator mites, and a method for controlling pests in a crop using predator mites reared using said method.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Syngenta Bioline LimitedInventors: Melvyn John Fidgett, Clive Stewart Alexander Stinson
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Publication number: 20140123902Abstract: [Problem] To provide an efficient system for manufacturing an organic fertilizer base material that reduces the manual labor involved in treating livestock manure using Musca domestica larvae. [Solution] Provided is an organic fertilizer production system for producing organic fertilizer from the excreta of livestock by using the larvae of Musca domestica.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: E'S INC.Inventors: Kazushige Kitazumi, Yasuharu Nakano, Yaroslava Polutova, Koji Nagae, Ryoichi Sekiya, Hisaki Yamawaki
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Patent number: 8683944Abstract: Provided is a method of collecting wild termites and rearing the termites indoors. The method can be used to observe physiological and ecological characteristics of termites that give serious damage to wooden cultural assets and buildings, and thus basic information can be obtained for controlling termites.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Republic of Korea (National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)Inventors: Chang Wook Jo, Young-Hee Kim, Jin Young Hong, Mi Hwa Jung, Jung Eun Choi, So Young Jeong
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Publication number: 20130319334Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for rearing larvae includes a plurality of culture trays arranged in at least one stack of trays, each stack comprising multiple levels of trays, each tray comprising an open-topped basin adapted to receive larvae and larval food, a feed delivery system adapted to automatically deliver larval feed to individually selected culture trays, and a water delivery system adapted to automatically deliver water to the culture trays.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: G. Larry Newton, D. Craig Sheppard
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Publication number: 20130228126Abstract: A method is provided for culturing cochineal insects. In accordance with the method, a medium is created (101-109) from a mixture comprising a plant or cactus additive and a polymeric material. The medium is then inoculated (111) with a species selected from the group consisting of the genus Dactylopius.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Badderloch Woad, Inc.Inventors: Constance M. Hendrickson, Denise Lynn Merkle
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Publication number: 20130206071Abstract: System for the bio-treatment of organic waste by means of insect larvae comprising a tank provided with removable cover and means for ventilation and temperature control able to induce migration of the larvae outside the waste mass when in a desired larval development stadium, means for distributing in many times the various waste layers and for removing the same at the end of the treatment and means for distributing the larvae inside the tank and for collecting and storing the larvae at the end of the treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: BIOCONVERSION S.R.L.Inventors: Francesco Caprio, Daniele De Gennaro, Giovanni Gorgone, Massimiliano Roncone
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Publication number: 20130202714Abstract: The present invention relates to a mite composition, the rearing thereof and to the use of the composition for controlling crop pests. The invention provides a mite composition comprising: a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species, a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and optionally a carrier, wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. In particular the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen form. The composition is used for controlling crop pests, such as thrip species. The crops may be greenhouse grown crops and open field crops.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: AGROBÍO S.L.Inventors: Enrique Vila Rifà, Don Griffiths
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Publication number: 20130152860Abstract: Provided is a method of collecting wild termites and rearing the termites indoors. The method can be used to observe physiological and ecological characteristics of termites that give serious damage to wooden cultural assets and buildings, and thus basic information can be obtained for controlling termites.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: REPUBLIC OF KOREA (NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE)Inventors: Chang Wook Jo, Young-Hee Kim, Jin Young Hong, Mi Hwa Jung, Jung Eun Choi, So Young Jeong
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Patent number: 8445282Abstract: A method is provided for culturing cochineal insects. In accordance with the method, a medium is created (101-109) from a mixture comprising a plant or cactus additive and a polymeric material. The medium is then inoculated (111) with a species selected from the group consisting of the genus Dactylopius.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Badderloch Woad, Inc.Inventors: Denise Lynn Merkle, Connie M. Hendrickson
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Publication number: 20130081572Abstract: A detecting platform for holding a tiny insect includes a main body forming a containing space, which passes through the main body and is surrounded by side walls of the main body. A first side wall and a second side wall of the side walls are opposite to each other, and the area of the second side wall is smaller than that of the first side wall. The main body forms a first opening and a second opening passing through the first side wall and the second side wall respectively for the tiny insects entering and leaving the containing space. A bottom plate covers a first through surface of the containing space to form a bottom surface and a detecting area is configured thereon to holding the tiny insects. Accordingly, the tiny insects can stay on the detecting area so as to detect the characteristics of the tiny insects expediently.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Rong-Shun Chen, Jhih-Shun Yang, Yu-Ching Lin, Hung-Yin Tsai, Chien-Hung Lin, Hong Hocheng, Li-An Chu
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Publication number: 20130081573Abstract: A system for classifying tiny insects includes a cultivation tank, a detecting container, a detector, a gathering device, and a control unit. The cultivation tank is connected to the detecting container, so that the hatched tiny insects can enter the detecting area of the detecting container from the cultivation tank. The detector is used for detecting the characteristics of the tiny insects in the detecting area, and then the control unit controls the switching unit of the gathering device to switch the gathering containers for gathering the tiny insects according to the detecting results. The system of the present invention is capable of automatically classifying the tiny insects and then gathering them to different gathering containers according to their characteristics, so as to decrease the man power and time necessary for factitious classification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Rong-Shun Chen, Hung-Yin Tsai, Chien-Hung Lin, Hong Hocheng, Wei-Leun Fang, Ann-Shyn Chiang, Yu-Ching Lin, Jhih-Shun Yang, Yu-Cheng Wu, Li-An Chu, Chia-Lin Wu
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Patent number: 8408164Abstract: A system and method of release and dispersion of genetically altered flies or other insects to control insect population. The apparatus can be carried by an aircraft and includes removable fly chambers that contain fly containment cylinders. A refrigeration system operates to physically retard the fruit flies. The flies are then released from the fly containment cylinders and fall to the bottom of the fly chamber. Gates on the bottom of the fly chamber are opened manually or remotely to allow the refrigerated flies to fall through the nesting chute into the spiral release controllers. The spiral release controllers dispense the genetically altered flies into the exit chute. The genetically altered flies travel through the exit chute, fall to the earth below and mate with the population thus serving to decrease population by capitalizing on a weakness in the reproductive cycle of the fruit fly or other insect.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventor: Richard David Robinson, Jr.
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Patent number: 8327797Abstract: Predatory mites contained in an enclosed housing are provided with a continuous food source (i.e. spidermites) so that the healthy adult predatory mites migrate upwards to a collection container at the apex of the housing where a user harvests the predatory mites. The predatory mites are provided with spidermite-infested vegetation disposed in planar trays. The trays are chronologically arranged in a vertical stack within the housing so that as new trays loaded with spidermites are added to the top of the stack, old trays depleted of spidermites are removed from the bottom of the stack. The predatory mites intuitively display negative geotropism and positive phototropism so that the mites naturally move upwards and toward the light. Consequently the predatory mites migrate to the upper trays as new trays are added and eventually reach the collection container at the apex of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Juan Morales-Ramos, Maria Rojas, Daniel Cahn
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Patent number: 8322302Abstract: A method for breeding Musca Domestica includes placing imagoes of Musca Domestica in an environment having a temperature of 18-35° C. and having a humidity of 50-80%. A laying pan is provided to attract the imagoes of Musca Domestica to lay eggs in the laying pan. The laying pan includes substances capable of attracting the imagoes of Musca Domestica to lay eggs in the laying pan. The eggs are transferred into a cultivating material including at least one product of soybean and/or milk. The eggs of Musca Domestica are bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. until hatching into larvae. The larvae are placed on swine feces and bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. for 2-3 days. The yield and breeding speed of the larvae of Musca Domestica are increased by the method.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: New I Ten Rin Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chang
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Patent number: 8322305Abstract: A method for making fertilizer from swine feces/urine by using Musca Domestica includes breeding and growing imagoes of Musca Domestica in an environment having a temperature of 18-35° C. and having a humidity of 50-80%. The imagoes of Musca Domestica lay eggs in the environment. The eggs of Musca Domestic are transferred into a cultivating material including at least one product of soybean and/or milk. The eggs of Musca Domestica are bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. until hatching into larvae. The larvae of Musca Domestica are placed on swine feces/urine of a thickness of 4-10 cm at a temperature of 20-35° C. for 2-3 days. The larvae feed on and decompose the swine feces/urine. The swine feces/urine decomposed by the larvae of Musca Domestica are collected and used as fertilizer.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: New I Ten Rin Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chang
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Patent number: 8322304Abstract: A method for producing a nutrient from larvae of Musca Domestica includes breeding and growing imagoes of Musca Domestica in an environment having a temperature of 18-35° C. and having a humidity of 50-80%. The imagoes of Musca Domestica lay eggs in the environment. The eggs of Musca Domestica are transferred into a cultivating material including at least one product of soybean and/or milk. The eggs of Musca Domestica are bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. until hatching into larvae. The larvae of Musca Domestica are placed on swine feces/urine of a thickness of 4-10 cm at a temperature of 20-35° C. for 2-3 days. The larvae feed on and decompose the swine feces/urine. The larvae of Musca Domestica are collected and treated by hot water and dehydrated to obtain a nutrient.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: New I Ten Rin Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chung
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Patent number: 8322303Abstract: A method for treating swine feces/urine includes breeding and growing imagoes of Musca Domestica in an environment having a temperature of 18-35° C. and having a humidity of 50-80%. The imagoes of Musca Domestica lay eggs in the environment. The eggs of Musca Domestic are transferred into a cultivating material including at least one product of soybean and/or milk. The eggs of Musca Domestica are bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. until hatching into larvae. The larvae of Musca Domestica are placed on swine feces/urine of a thickness of 4-10 cm at a temperature of 20-35° C. for 2-3 days. The larvae feed on and decompose the swine feces/urine. The swine feces/urine can be decomposed in 5-7 days without causing pollution to the air, water sources, and environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: New I Ten Rin Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chang
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Patent number: 8312841Abstract: A method for culturing and producing mites, such as house dust mites, comprising culturing the mites in a suitable solid growth medium, under suitable conditions and for a suitable period of time in a suitable production room, characterized in that the mites are cultured in medium comprised within a closed bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Alk-Abello A/SInventors: Carmen Arteaga Vazquez, Juan Carlos Moreno Segura, Fernando Juan Vidales, Maria Jose Chamorro Salillas
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Publication number: 20120214223Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the containment and culture of worms, and the preparation of composts, vermicomposts, and castings from organic and inorganic wastes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventor: Kenneth D. Hughes
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Publication number: 20120187041Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of removing organic solutes from liquids. The methods include incubating fly larvae with a liquid that contains organic solutes. Also disclosed herein are methods of producing larva biomass. Additionally, apparatus for use with the disclosed methods are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Radu Popa, Terrence R. Green
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Publication number: 20120167826Abstract: A method for controlling an insect pest with vibrations, including a step of determining a frequency range and an amplitude range of vibrations in a habitat medium of an insect pest that induce or suppress a specific behavior of the insect pest, and a step of controlling the insect pest behavior by applying vibrations in the frequency range and amplitude range once or two or more times in the insect pest habitat medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Takuma Takanashi, Wakako Ohmura, Eiji Ohya, Yoshitaka Kubojima, Teruo Mori, Takuji Koike, Hiroshi Nishino
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Publication number: 20120145081Abstract: An insect feeder that allows membrane feeding with a membrane above a feeding medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: E. Barçin Acar, David R. Burton, Ted B. Ellis, Emma Rae Mullen, David R. Nash, Michael Vinton
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Publication number: 20120137977Abstract: A food production system having improved heat and nutrient recovery is disclosed. The system employs waste biomass and comprises a composter that partially composts the waste biomass, an invertebrate (e.g. worms) culture unit, a delivery subsystem to deliver partially composted waste biomass from the composter to the invertebrate culture unit in a temperature range suitable for the invertebrate culture, a food (e.g. fish or crustaceans) culture unit for producing the food operating in a temperature range suitable for the food culture, a delivery subsystem to deliver invertebrates from the invertebrate culture unit to the food culture unit, and a heat exchange subsystem providing for exchange of heat from the composter to the food culture unit. The subsystem comprises a controller for controlling the exchange of heat such that the food culture unit is maintained in the temperature range selected for the food culture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: URBAN STREAM INNOVATION INC.Inventors: Nicholas Hermes, James Alexander Sawada
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Publication number: 20120132141Abstract: A method for treating swine feces/urine includes breeding and growing imagoes of Musca Domestica in an environment having a temperature of 18-35° C. and having a humidity of 50-80%. The imagoes of Musca Domestica lay eggs in the environment. The eggs of Musca Domestic are transferred into a cultivating material including at least one product of soybean and/or milk. The eggs of Musca Domestica are bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. until hatching into larvae. The larvae of Musca Domestica are placed on swine feces/urine of a thickness of 4-10 cm at a temperature of 20-35° C. for 2-3 days. The larvae feed on and decompose the swine feces/urine. The swine feces/urine can be decomposed in 5-7 days without causing pollution to the air, water sources, and environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chang
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Publication number: 20120132140Abstract: A method for breeding Musca Domestica includes placing imagoes of Musca Domestica in an environment having a temperature of 18-35° C. and having a humidity of 50-80%. A laying pan is provided to attract the imagoes of Musca Domestica to lay eggs in the laying pan. The laying pan includes substances capable of attracting the imagoes of Musca Domestica to lay eggs in the laying pan. The eggs are transferred into a cultivating material including at least one product of soybean and/or milk. The eggs of Musca Domestica are bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. until hatching into larvae. The larvae are placed on swine feces and bred at a temperature of 20-35° C. for 2-3 days. The yield and breeding speed of the larvae of Musca Domestica are increased by the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Inventor: Chun-Hsung Chang
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Publication number: 20120017834Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for controlling maturation of aquatically hatched insects. The apparatus comprises a drainable container for housing an egg laying medium for the insects; a filter operatively connected to the container for containing debris in the egg laying medium; and a selectively sealable catch basin located below the container for receiving the egg laying medium from the container when the container is drained. One or more outlets are provided on the catch basin for operatively releasing gas from the catch basin. The apparatus and method enhances the attractiveness of the artificial breeding pool to the gravid insects and helps control the local insect population.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Kristian J.K. Holland, Gerardo Ulibarri
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Patent number: 8097248Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mite composition comprising a population of the phytoseiid predatory mite species Amblyseius swirskii. and a factitious host population, which may be employed for rearing said phytoseiid predatory mite species or for releasing the phytoseiid predatory mite species in a crop. According to further aspects the invention relates to a method for rearing the phytoseiid predatory mite species Amblyseius swirskii, to the use of the mite composition and to a method for biological pest control in a crop, which employ the mite composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Koppert B.V.Inventors: Karel Jozef Florent Bolckmans, Yvonne Maria van Houten
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Publication number: 20110314562Abstract: The present invention provides an insect infection method for use in the production of a protein with a baculovirus expression vector in the insect, the method comprising the steps of: (g) providing a plurality of insect larvae or pupae; (h) providing a solution comprising a wild type baculovirus or a baculovirus expression vector having a desired gene encoding a protein; (i) stressing the insect larvae or pupae; (j) soaking the insect larvae or pupae in the solution for an appropriate time so that they are infected with the wild type baculovirus or the baculovirus expression vector; and (k) incubating the infected larvae or pupae for production of the protein; and (l) harvesting the protein. The method can treat a great quantity of larvae simultaneously, achieve batch infection of larvae or pupae, save manpower and effectively infect larvae or pupae at a high infection rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicants: Executive YuanInventors: Mei-Chun Lu, Chiu-Hsun Liao, Shih-Chin Yu
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Publication number: 20110296756Abstract: In the long-term space human living environment, the biological wastes from human, animals, and plants can be fully digested and recycled by rearing six kinds of recycling animals which will be nourishing feed stuff for feeding edible animals. These edible animals and their eggs combined with space plants will be various food for human. Water and nutrition left in the residues after rearing these recycling animals can be recycled and used to fertilize plants. All the animals and plants can be solidly reared in same cabin on the shelf with high densities in boxes, cages, trays and tanks which are all in minimum volume and weight. It is the basis for realizing mini space farm which provides a self-sufficient food regenerative system that enable humans to live and work in space independent of food supply from earth.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventor: Mao Zhang
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Publication number: 20110283945Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising, or consisting of, a polynucleotide sequence encoding an oligopeptide capable of inducing post-mating depression of receptivity to mating in female insects, wherein said oligopeptide is resistant to proteolytic degradation, is provided for expression in sterile transgenic male insects useful in the control of insect populations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: YISSUM RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM LTD.Inventors: Shalom Applebaum, Yael Heifetz
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Publication number: 20110277042Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mite composition comprising a population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species and a factitious host population, which may be employed for rearing said phytoseiid predatory mite species or for releasing the phytoseiid predatory mite species in a crop. According to further aspects the invention relates to a method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite species, to the use of the mite composition and to a method for biological pest control in a crop, which employ the mite composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Karel Jozef Florent Bolckmans, Yvonne Maria van Houten
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Publication number: 20110232574Abstract: An ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus comprising a vacuum motor, a microscope, a display, a non-flexible pivoting door and a containment chamber, wherein the microscope is in electrical communication with the display. The ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus provides a method of capturing live ectoparasites for observation removing live ectoparasites from a subject animal, disposing the live ectoparasites in the containment chamber, opening the non-flexible pivoting door and inserting a flea control compound, closing the non-flexible pivoting door and observing the effects of the flea control compound on the live ectoparasites via the microscope and the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventor: C. Michael Troutman
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Patent number: 8025027Abstract: The automated insect separation system processes an aggregate mixture of insects and other materials so that selected insects are separated from the other components of the mix. Specifically, the aggregate mix is directed into a separator apparatus so that the mix flows vertically through a series of vibrating screens. In the preferred embodiment, the screening process separates two different sizes of mealworm larvae from the aggregate mixture. The mix includes the mealworm larvae, unconsumed food materials (usually wheat bran), and insect frass.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Juan A. Morales-Ramos, Maria G. Rojas, David I. Shapiro Ilan, W. Louis Tedders
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Publication number: 20110197817Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a habitat for the toxorhynchite mosquito. An embodiment of the habitat of the invention may be made in a multitude of shapes and sizes as one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize. As shown in the drawings and discussed below, the habitat may be constructed out of any number of materials and/or used objects, including used tires, cleaning bottles, or other similar objects, recycled materials, and/or by reusing products on hand in a particular locale.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventor: Nicholas Wren
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Publication number: 20110185787Abstract: An insect holder (1) for holding an insect (5) of a particular type is disclosed. The holder (1) comprises a body with a chamber (3) adapted to receive the insect (5) and a head restraint (7) for retaining the head of the insect (5) in a predetermined position. The body further comprises an electromagnetic radiation receiver (11) for monitoring intensity of an electromagnetic radiation beam so as to monitor response of the bee (5) to a target odour through the detection of an interruption of the electromagnetic radiation beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Mathilde Briens, David Grant, Marc Bax, David Westley, Ken Cherry
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Publication number: 20110180003Abstract: A method of collecting and loading a plurality of insects of a particular type into respective insect holders includes extracting a plurality of insects from an insect habitat to a storage chamber which is operable to allow access to a plurality of exit holes and allowing access to the exit holes, followed by luring and/or compelling the insects to leave the storage chamber via the exit holes for subsequent loading into an insect holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: INSCENTINEL LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Durnford, Mathilde Briens, Mark Haite, David Grant, David Westley, Kenneth Cherry, Thomas Howard
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Patent number: 7980200Abstract: An ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus comprising a vacuum motor, a microscope, a display, a non-flexible pivoting door and a containment chamber, wherein the microscope is in electrical communication with the display. The ectoparasite diagnostic apparatus provides a method of capturing live ectoparasites for observation removing live ectoparasites from a subject animal, disposing the live ectoparasites in the containment chamber, opening the non-flexible pivoting door and inserting a flea control compound, closing the non-flexible pivoting door and observing the effects of the flea control compound on the live ectoparasites via the microscope and the display.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Inventor: C. Michael Troutman
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Publication number: 20110162266Abstract: The present invention provides a pollen applicator device and method for biological control of mites via pollen application.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Shmuel GAN-MOR, Eric Palevsky, Benyamin Ronen
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Publication number: 20110139075Abstract: The insect inoculation system and method optimizes the conditions wherein host insect cadavers are infected by a selected parasite. Host insect cadavers are exposed to the selected parasite within the inoculation chamber. The inoculation chamber is configured to optimize the parasite infection and reproduction process. The insect parasites produce multiple offspring which remain in the infected insect cadavers. At the end of the inoculation process, the infected cadavers are removed from the chamber and the insect parasites are harvested and used in bio-pest control processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: David I. Shapiro Ilan, W. Louis Tedders, Juan A. Morales Ramos, Maria G. Rojas
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Patent number: 7947269Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mite composition comprising a population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species and a factitious host population, which may be employed for rearing said phytoseiid predatory mite species or for releasing the pyrltoseiid predatory mite species in a crop. According to further aspects the invention relates to a method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite species, to the use of the mite composition and to a method for biological pest control in a crop, which employ the mite composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Koppert B.V.Inventors: Karel Jozef Florent Bolckmans, Yvonne Maria van Houten
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Publication number: 20110036295Abstract: A method is provided for culturing cochineal insects. In accordance with the method, a medium is created (101-109) from a mixture comprising a plant or cactus additive and a polymeric material. The medium is then inoculated (111) with a species selected from the group consisting of the genus Dactylopius.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Denise Lynn Merkle, Connie M. Hendrickson
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Patent number: 7878146Abstract: A live insect habitat that also serves as a retail receptacle for point of sale display of the insects. In particular, the invention comprises a cricket habitat and point of sale display receptacle for the sale of live crickets primarily for fishing bait and pet food purposes. The habitat/receptacle includes a housing having side walls with a sight window formed therein for purposes of permitting viewing of the inside of the housing and insect habitat from the outside. A habitat insert is located inside the housing and includes a multiple-sided member that partitions the interior space of the housing into discrete subspaces connected by passages giving the crickets ample room in which to crawl about. The housing and the habitat insert can be made of a moisture absorbent material in order to reduce the moisture content of the cricket environment. An item of cricket food is located in the housing whereby the retail habitat/receptacle has a prolonged shelf life while maintaining healthy live crickets.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: The Bug Company of MinnesotaInventor: Gordon J. Vadis
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Publication number: 20110011342Abstract: A cricket box formed from a foldable blank of material, such as paperboard. The cricket box includes a first side panel with a window allowing for visible inspection of any crickets in the box. The box further includes a top panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a partition panel. The partition panel is folded into the interior of the box to provide a crawl space for the crickets. The partition panel is provided with a plurality of perforations and a plurality of holes to allow the crickets to crawl around the panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: MENASHA CORPORATIONInventors: John Williams, Clay A. Ghann
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Patent number: 7861672Abstract: The collector habitat device comprises panels of non-biodegradable and/or synthetic fibrous material set in durable weatherproof frames and attached to a base; when placed in, the panels hang within the water column providing numerous parallel settlement surfaces for post-larvae. A float assembly, optionally attached to the opposite side of the base from the panels, allows the device to float just below the water's surface. The collector habitat device also incorporates a guard, surrounding the panels, with apertures to allow settlement-stage post-larvae access to the settlement surfaces, while preventing larger organisms and potential predators from gaining access. The collector habitat device also, optionally, incorporates an optionally removable/re-attachable reservoir hung below the guard; and an optional olfactory attractant delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Carlbbean Sustainable Fisheries Corp.Inventor: Robert M. Power
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Patent number: 7789039Abstract: Methods and hosts for rearing insect parasitoids are provided. Particularly, polymer beads (alginate, carrageenan, and chitosan) are used to rear endoparasitoids in vitro.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Université Catholique de LouvainInventors: Thierry Hance, Michèle Debatty-Mestdagh, Vincent Cambier, Catherine Boegen, Frédéric Muratori, Olivier Lebbe, Ana-Maria Dos Santos Goncalves