Has propionic acid, benzoic acid, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentanone, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one, 3-methylbutanal and water; insecticide
Inventors
Quinn, Brian P. • Carlson, David A. • Geden, Christopher J. • Bernier, Ulrich R. • Booth, Matthew M. • Hogsette, Jr., Jerome A.
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA • University of Florida Research Foundation Inc
Publication Number
US-8053464-B2
Publication Date
2011-11-08
Expiration Date
2028-03-07
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Abstract
A composition containing at least two members of the group consisting of propionic acid, benzoic acid, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentanone, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one, and 3-methylbutanal; and water, and optionally a carrier or carrier material. The composition is useful for attracting insects (e.g., flies).A method for attracting insects (e.g., flies) involving treating an object or area with an insect attracting effective amount of the composition described herein.
Core Innovation
The present invention provides a composition containing at least two members of the group consisting of propionic acid, benzoic acid, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentanone, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one, and 3-methylbutanal; and water, with an optional carrier or carrier material. This composition is useful for attracting insects, specifically flies. The invention also relates to a method for attracting insects by treating an object or area with an insect attracting effective amount of this composition.
The problem being addressed is the need for an effective insect attractant that uses natural products to properly control flies without causing offensive odors or handling issues. Existing attractants like rotting foodstuffs or bacterial breakdown products are repulsive to humans and can be difficult to handle. There is no single effective, easy-to-handle, low-odor fly attractant currently available.
The invention overcomes this problem by providing a water-based composition that includes specific chemical components at defined concentrations. This blend is designed to be non-offensive in odor, easy to handle (non-sticky), and fully effective at attracting flying insects such as house flies. The composition can be used with various carriers and can optionally include insecticides or insect pheromones.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent composition claim and one independent method claim, covering specific insect attractant compositions and corresponding methods of use.
Composition with at least five specified chemical components and water
A composition comprising at least five members from the group consisting of propionic acid, benzoic acid, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentanone, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one, and 3-methylbutanal; with water and optionally a carrier or carrier material.
Specific concentration ranges of chemical components in composition
The composition contains about 80 to about 800 mg of propionic acid/ml, about 0.29 to about 2.9 mg of benzoic acid/ml, about 0.35 to about 3.5 mg of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol/ml, about 0.22 to about 2.2 mg of 2-acetylpyrrole/ml, about 0.85 to about 8.5 mg of 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentanone/ml, about 0.48 to about 4.8 mg of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one/ml, and about 0.55 to about 5.5 mg of 3-methylbutanal/ml.
Optional inclusion of insect pheromones and insecticides
The composition optionally contains at least one insect pheromone, such as (Z)-9-tricosene, and/or at least one insecticide or additional insect attractant.
Composition variants excluding certain components
Claims include compositions that do not contain certain specific components like 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentanone or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-3-one, and compositions containing only subsets of the listed components.
Method of attracting insects using composition
A method involving treating an object or area with an insect attracting effective amount of the specified composition to attract insects, particularly Musca domestica and Fannia canicularis.
The claims cover compositions comprising defined chemical blends of at least five of seven specified compounds with water and optional carriers, including defined concentration ranges and optional additives like insect pheromones or insecticides. A corresponding method claim covers using these compositions to attract flies.
Stated Advantages
The composition causes little odor and is easy to handle (e.g., not sticky) while being fully effective at luring insects.
The attractant blend is water-based, eliminating hazards posed by organic solvents, which can inhibit or overwhelm the odor plume and pose flammability risks.
The composition is at least as attractive as molasses or the most popular commercial fly attractant in outdoor and indoor tests.
The blend can be diluted significantly without loss of efficacy, allowing flexible use at different concentrations.
The composition can be formulated to exclude costly chemicals without loss of attractiveness, providing cost-effective options.
Documented Applications
Attracting house flies (Musca domestica) and other flying insects such as Fannia canicularis for control purposes.
Use of the composition in insect traps, poison bait stations, or other killing devices by treating objects or areas prone to insect presence.
Application in various premises including outdoors (gardens, lawns, camping areas) and indoors (barns, garages, commercial buildings, homes) to lure and control flying pest insects.
Combining with carriers such as membranes, microcapsules, gels, or polymers to release the attractant effectively.
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