US-12616186-B2 - Labyrinth for capturing and destroying mosquito larvae

Abstract

The invention relates to a compact, low-profile aquatic trap designed to be directly submerged in mosquito larval habitats, aimed at capturing and retaining them underwater long enough to kill them by lack of air. The entrance of the trap includes multiple niche-like openings to trap the larvae by offering them shelter from light and predators. These entrances lead to a series of compartments that form a labyrinth guiding the larvae towards an inescapable chamber. Being anaerobic, the trap causes the larvae to die in the inescapable chamber within a few hours, without bait, chemicals, energy, or any kind of refills.

Inventors

• LUDOVIC BOUCHONNEAU

Assignees

• ARACHNOIDE SARL
• Stephane CLOQUELL

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230117

Priority Date

20220117

Claims (3)

1. 1 . A compact, low-profile aquatic trap comprising: a) numerous niche entrances located around a perimeter of the trap that are configured to trap mosquito larvae by offering the mosquito larvae shelter from light and predators, (b) a series of interconnected compartments forming a labyrinth leading to at least one anaerobic asphyxiation chamber, (c) a series of vestibules between the series of interconnected compartments forming the labyrinth, in the shape of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular base opening into open water in the next compartment, with gradually decreasing exit dimensions, the shape of the series of vestibules, considering a mode of movement of the mosquito larvae, forcing the mosquito larvae to successively cross the series of interconnected compartments towards the at least one anaerobic asphyxiation chamber, wherein the at least one anaerobic asphyxiation chamber having the smallest possible entrances compared to the target larvae and a large volume of swimming water.
2. 2 . The compact, low-profile aquatic trap according to claim 1 , further comprising: a degassing system configured to maintain the compact, low-profile aquatic trap in an anaerobic state, the degassing system being selected from the group comprising; a) vent holes on top of the compact, low-profile aquatic trap configured to allow gas to escape and equipped with filters configured to prevent the mosquito larvae from escaping, b) a removable cover held in place by two elastic straps configured to be manipulated underwater when setting the compact, low-profile aquatic trap to evacuate all bubbles, c) a pump system configured to be activated when setting the compact, low-profile aquatic trap to expel air.
3. 3 . The compact, low-profile aquatic trap according to claim 1 , wherein the series of interconnected compartments forming the labyrinth and the at least one anaerobic asphyxiation chamber can be duplicated to be combined to form a compact, low-profile aquatic trap of any size and shape, adapted to a deposit container to be equipped, and enable integration within any outdoor or indoor container that could become a larval breeding ground.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2023/051019, filed Jan. 17, 2023, which claims the benefit of priority of French Patent Application number FR2200340, filed Jan. 17, 2022, all of which are incorporated by reference, as if expressly set forth in their respective entireties herein. Technical Scope of the Invention The object of the present invention is a compact, thin aquatic trap for direct immersion in mosquito larvae breeding grounds, designed to capture them and then hold them underwater long enough to kill them through lack of air. To achieve this, the trap features multiple niche entrances (6) to attract the larvae by providing shelter from light and predators. These entrances lead to a series of compartments (A), (B) and (C) which form an anaerobic labyrinth leading to a dead-end chamber (D). To guide the larvae's progress, the compartments communicate via horizontal truncated-pyramid vestibules (1), (2) and (3), which open into the next compartment in the open water, and whose successive exits (7), (8) and (9) have progressively decreasing dimensions until they reach the dead-end chamber (D). As the internal shapes of the trap are conducive to trapping air bubbles when immersed, the invention can advantageously be perfected with a degassing system, consisting of vents (10) fitted with filters (11) as shown in FIG. 1, or a micro-pump to be handled during installation, or alternatively by manually expelling trapped bubbles, by closing the trap's top cover underwater. PRIOR ART There are approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes, among which around 100 are vectors of diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, dengue fever, yellow fever, etc. Although in temperate countries, mosquitoes are more of a nuisance than a vector of disease, in the tropics they are the cause of significant morbidity and mortality, with almost 800,000 deaths worldwide every year. The Life Cycle of the Mosquito: Mosquito development comprises four stages: egg, larva, pupa and imago (adult insects). Generally, the female mates only once in her life, but she periodically lays eggs in cycles of a few days throughout her life, after a blood meal essential for procreation. Each female lays between 30 and 300 eggs at a time, depending on the species. Egg development takes 2 to 3 days in the tropics, but can take longer in temperate zones. After hatching, the larvae do not develop continuously: they pass through four different stages. In the first stage, the larva is about 1.5 mm long, and in the fourth, about 8 to 10 mm. The larvae are legless, but have a distinct head and body, covered with bristles. They are able to swim rapidly through the water, thanks to their characteristic “S”-shaped undulating body movements. Most have to surface periodically to breathe, using a siphon at the tip of their abdomen. The rest of the time, they dive for short periods in search of their food, which consists of yeasts, bacteria and small aquatic organisms living on the bottom of their nest. In warm climates, the larval stage lasts 4 to 7 days, or longer if food is scarce. At the end of its development, the larva transforms into a nymph, generally shaped like a comma. Nymphs don't feed and spend most of their time on the surface of the water, but will quickly dive to the bottom if disturbed. When the nymph reaches maturity, its integument splits at one end, revealing the fully-developed adult mosquito. In the tropics, the pupal stage lasts from 1 to 3 days. When conditions are favorable, the transition from egg to imago takes from 7 to 13 days. Breeding Sites The sites most frequently chosen for egg-laying are most often in the shade and associated with vegetation: upright plants, floating leaves or algae . . . . Ponds, seepage areas, the calm coves of slow-flowing rivers, rice paddies, the leaf axils of certain epiphytic plants and rainwater puddles are therefore the most likely to become nesting sites. Deep artificial containers such as pots, tubs, cisterns and tanks with raised edges are generally less suitable than shallow water, and containers with indented edges. Mosquito Control As early as the nineteenth century, it was discovered that certain species of mosquito were responsible for transmitting disease, and in the absence of curative treatments, that the only solution to prevent spread was to destroy the vector. Vector control is divided into two branches: The eradication of imagos (adult mosquitoes) and the destruction of aquatic mosquito larvae. Eradication of Imagos As mosquito control in the form of flying insects is not directly within the scope of the invention, we shall confine ourselves to summarizing the existing means used against imagos. a) Protective Clothing The simplest way to combat mosquitoes that bite during the day is personal mechanical protection based on wearing appropriate c