University of Kentucky Research Foundation

University of California

Kenneth F Haynes

Robert M Corn

Megan Szyndler

Catherine Loudon

Michael F Potter

Yongbiao Liu

Novel devices and methods of capturing, controlling and preventing infestation of insects using microfabricated surfaces are provided. In particular, a mechanism of insect capture inspired by the microstructures of the leaf surfaces of plants and the key features of those surfaces with respect to the capture and control of pests have been determined and engineered into a variety of microfabricated surfaces capable of reproducing the effectiveness of these physical capture methods.

Microfabricated surfaces for the physical capture of insects

An automated, adjustable-interval insect trap includes a plurality of individual cards having a surface coated with insect adhesive to capture insects. The cards are received on trays having wheels that engage a series of four parallel guide rails. By operation of a positioning mechanism, the trays carrying the cards are moved along the guide rails, one at a time, into an insect capturing position for a selected time interval. The positioning mechanism includes a timer, a drive motor, an axle operatively connected to the drive motor and a series of spaced fan plates mounted on the axle at longitudinally spaced positions. The plates function to sequentially pass the trays under the force of gravity along the guide rails as the axle is rotated by the drive motor.

Automated adjustable interval insect trap

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Kenneth F Haynes