Automated mosquito host bio-mimicking device
The present invention discloses an automated mosquito host bio-mimicking device. The device is capable of being operated in multiple modes. The device includes a pheromone chamber ( 1 ) to enclose the mosquito attractants such as pheromones, a thermal chamber ( 2 ) to mimic the body temperature and facilitate the dissemination of the pheromones, an electronic chamber ( 3 ) for automatically regulating the functioning of the device, a photocatalysis chamber ( 4 ) to generate micro quantity of CO 2 , a suction chamber ( 4 a ) to suck the mosquitoes reaching the mouth of the photocatalysis chamber ( 4 ), and a dehydration chamber ( 5 ) to immobilize the trapped mosquitoes. The device traps various species of mosquitoes using a broad spectrum of attractants and controls their population by providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach. Further, the device is portable and is operable remotely through a mobile application.
1. An automated mosquito host bio-mimicking device having a top-most portion and a bottom-most portion, the device comprising:
a pheromone chamber ( 1 ) located at the top-most portion of the device, wherein the pheromone chamber ( 1 ) disseminates one or more semiochemical as a first bio-mimicking attractant;
a thermal chamber ( 2 ) placed below the pheromone chamber ( 1 ), wherein the thermal chamber ( 2 ) includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater and is configured to disseminate heat as a second bio-mimicking attractant;
a micro fan ( 7 ) placed above the PTC heater is configured for uniform dissemination of both the first bio-mimicking attractant and the second bio-mimicking attractant;
an electronic chamber ( 3 ) placed below the thermal chamber ( 2 ), wherein the electronic chamber ( 3 ) includes an Internet of Things (IoT) controller ( 8 ) coupled to a digital heater controller ( 9 ) configured to regulate the functioning of the device;
a photocatalysis chamber ( 4 ) situated below the electronic chamber ( 3 ), wherein the photocatalysis chamber ( 4 ) comprises a UV-A spectrum light ( 11 ) for generating a visual cue and a photocatalysis disc ( 12 ) configured to generate micro quantity of CO 2 as a third bio-mimicking attractant; and
a dehydration chamber ( 5 ) including a collection bowl with a perforated wall to trap the mosquitoes, the photocatalysis disc ( 12 ) removably position over the dehydration chamber ( 4 ), and a suction fan ( 14 ) having a protective mesh ( 4 c ) mounted at a center of the photocataysis disc ( 12 ) and configured for downward air pressure, wherein the dehydration chamber ( 5 ) is detachably mounted at the bottom-most portion of the device,
wherein the device automatically dispenses the first, second, and third bio-mimicking attractants simultaneously based on a peak activity time of the mosquitoes.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pheromone chamber ( 1 ) comprises a pheromone loading cap ( 6 ) with a plurality of minute perforations ( 6 a ) for the dispersion of the semiochemicals.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more semiochemicals are loaded in the form of a hydrogel sachet, a hydrogel bead or in a liquid form.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein a hydrogel of each of the hydrogel sachet and the hydrogel bead comprises an aqueous solution of organic compounds or non-toxic food-grade compounds of semiochemicals dipped in sodium polyacrylate or potassium polyacrylate.
5. The device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the semiochemicals comprises pheromones, kairomones or allomones.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the thermal chamber ( 2 ) is provided with a plurality of perforations ( 2 a ) for dissipation of heat.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dehydration chamber ( 5 ) traps and immobilizes the mosquitoes due to broken wings and limbs.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device includes a program adapted to cause the device to bio-mimic and trap the mosquitoes by:
generating a signal for automatic switching on or switching off of the device based on the peak activity time of the mosquitoes;
disseminating the first, second, and third bio-mimicking attractants to lure the mosquitoes towards the device generated by the pheromone chamber ( 1 ), the thermal chamber ( 2 ), and the photocatalysis chamber ( 3 );
sucking the mosquitoes reaching an opening ( 4 b ) of the photocatalysis chamber ( 4 ) into the dehydration chamber ( 5 ); and
trapping and immobilizing the mosquitoes in the dehydration chamber ( 5 ).
9. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dehydration chamber ( 5 ) is provided with a base ( 15 ) for mounting the device.
10. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the peak activity time of mosquitoes is duration specific, the duration specificity is linked to species-specificity and pre-set in the device.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein: the first bio-mimicking attractant generated from the pheromone chamber ( 1 ) is selected from a list consisting of odourants of a blood meal host, floral nectar odourants, and odourants mimicking a potential ovipositioning site for the mosquitoes, the second bio-mimicking attractant generated from the thermal chamber ( 2 ) mimics body temperature of the blood meal host, and the third bio-mimicking attractant, CO2 generated by the photocatalysis disc ( 12 ), mimics humidity of the blood meal host; wherein the blood meal host is a human or other vertebrate.