SUCTION TRAP FOR COLLECTING RESTING MOSQUITOES

• US 20100319240A1
• Filed: 06/10/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: Government of the United States of America, Department of Health and Human Services (State of Victoria)
• Inventors: Panella, Nicholas A., Kent, Rebekah J., Komar, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 8,667,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/139
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/06 Catching insects by using a suction effect A01M3/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed that can sample a wide variety of mosquitoes attempting to rest. Because all mosquitoes rest daily, biases of typical mosquito traps are avoided, such as targeted collections of host-seeking mosquitoes or gravid female mosquitoes. A particular advantage is the inclusion of blood-engorged mosquitoes in the resting collections. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an open-sided pot designed to attract mosquitoes seeking a daytime resting location. The mosquitoes that enter a dark space of the pot are aspirated into a screened collection receptacle by means of a battery-powered fan.

Claims

1. An apparatus for collecting resting mosquitoes, comprising:

a pot having a first open end for attracting mosquitoes to rest and a second opening through which the mosquitoes can be aspirated;

a pipe member coupled to the second opening of the pot; and

a fan coupled within the pipe member for aspirating the mosquitoes from the pot into the pipe member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pipe member has first and second ends with the first end coupled to the pot and the fan mounted in the second end of the pipe member and further including a screen mounted in the pipe member between the fan and first end of the pipe member to prevent mosquitoes from passing through the fan.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a frustoconical-shaped screen mounted within the pipe member at an end of the pipe member coupled to the pot.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pipe member includes first and second sub-pipes removably coupled together by a coupler with a screen mounted within the first sub-pipe for trapping mosquitoes therein and the fan mounted within the second sub-pipe, the first sub-pipe forming a collection chamber for containing the mosquitoes.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pipe member includes first and second sub-pipes removably coupled together by a coupler with a screen mounted within the coupler for trapping mosquitoes therein and the fan mounted within the second sub-pipe, the first sub-pipe and coupler together forming a collection chamber for containing the mosquitoes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pipe member has first and second ends with the first end coupled to the pot and the fan mounted at the second end of the pipe member and further including a rain guard coupled to the second end of the pipe member and spaced apart there from, the rain guard for shielding the second end of the pipe member from rain.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a net coupled to an end of the pipe member opposite the pot.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pot is a fiber pot.

9. An apparatus for collecting resting mosquitoes, comprising:

a fiber pot having a first open end for attracting mosquitoes and a second opening through which the mosquitoes can be aspirated;

a fan coupled to the second opening in the fiber pot; and

an enclosure coupled adjacent to the fan for receiving the aspirated mosquitoes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is a net.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fiber pot is stackable with other fiber pots in a nested fashion.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fiber pot is made of natural fibers.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a tube extending between the enclosure and the second opening of the fiber pot.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fan is battery powered.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein fiber pot creates a dark resting area for mosquitoes.

16. A method for catching resting mosquitoes, comprising:

providing a fiber pot having an internal cavity that is a resting area for mosquitoes; and

automatically aspirating mosquitoes from the cavity into an enclosure.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the enclosure is a pipe having one end coupled to the fiber pot and an opposite end having a screen thereon for containing the mosquitoes.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the aspiration occurs continuously.