Apparatus for rearing and releasing of predatory mites and accommodating their prey

The present invention relates to an apparatus for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey. The invention also relates to methods for biological pest control.

Introduction

The poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae, De Geer 1778) is one of the most economically deleterious parasite of laying hens in Europe. It is an obligatory haematophagous ectoparasite of both domestic and wild birds, and is known to obtain its blood-meal on a range of alternative species, including man. The poultry red mite is referred to as a temporary parasite, since it is only found on the host when feeding, with the majority of its lifecycle spent concealed away in cracks and crevices of the poultry house substructure as they avoid light. The life cycle of the poultry red mite is very short, so that large populations can be rapidly established.

The consequences of infestation by poultry red mite are severe for both the welfare of the birds and economic sustainability. The feeding mite can cause irritation, restlessness and either mild or severe anaemia, occasionally resulting in death. Poultry red mite is a threat in the spread of disease, since they may act as a vector for a number of pathogenic poultry infections, both bacterial and viral. The mites may also be carriers of other livestock diseases.

Currently, the most common form of control of poultry red mite is by the application of pesticides, for example pyrethroids. However, the development of mite pesticide resistance, chemical and antibiotic residues in food and undesirable environmental affects make the application of pesticides difficult. In addition, the tendency of the mites to occupy small cracks and crevices, and their ability to survive for extended periods without taking a blood meal, alongside their prolific reproduction capacity and short life cycle, make eradication very challenging (KOCISOVA et al NOVEL APPROACH TO CONTROLLING THE POULTRY RED MITE (ACARINA: MESOSTIGMATA), Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Urban Pests, William H Robinson and Daniel Bajomi (editors), 2008). Therefore there is a need to provide alternative methods of pest control. It is common practice to breed predatory mites by growing a population of such mites on a factitious host in a container, and then releasing the mites to find their natural prey in a horticultural or agricultural environment for the purpose of biological control. This works well where the predatory mites are able to transport themselves to their prey.

There are some instances where this type of biological control has hitherto not worked where the predatory mite does not transport itself large distances or where the physical environment restricts the predatory mite's movement. An example of this is the control of the poultry red mite by the use of predatory mites, where the red mites feed on the blood of chickens. Generally the predators which are known to feed on red mites do not move well over the structures of the cages where birds are held, and cannot gain access to all of the refuges where the red mites hide when not actively feeding on the birds.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for biological pest control, specifically for the control of poultry red mite. In one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey comprising: a) a breeding chamber for breeding predatory mites, b) a refuge structure adjacent the breeding chamber to provide a refuge for prey of said predatory mites.

Preferably the apparatus includes at least one path from the breeding chamber to the refuge structure.

The invention also provides the use of an apparatus described herein in the control of poultry red mite. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for the control of poultry red mite.

The invention also provides a biological control package comprising an apparatus as described herein. Detailed description

The present invention will now be further described. In the following passages, different aspects of the invention are defined in more detail. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey comprising: a) a breeding chamber for breeding predatory mites, b) a refuge structure adjacent the breeding chamber to provide a refuge for prey of said predatory mites. c) at least one path from the breeding chamber to the refuge structure.

Preferably, the path is a connective means which when in use allows the predatory mites to access the refuge structure and to feed on the prey. The or each path may include an aperture or a physical pathway, such as a tube or connective rod, connecting the breeding chamber to the refuge structure.

In one embodiment, the breeding chamber and the refuge structure comprise a tube or tubular structure, for example a channel.

In one embodiment, the breeding chamber is inside a tube or the inside of a tube. The refuge structure may be the outer and/or inner surface of the tube wall. Apertures in the tube wall may provide a path from the breeding chamber to the refuge structure. The refuge structure may include cavities formed in the outer and/or inner surface of the tube wall. An example is a ridged or corrugated surface. Thus, in this embodiment, the apparatus comprises a single tube which provides both, a breeding chamber and a refuge.

In another embodiment, the breeding chamber comprises a first tube and the refuge structure comprises a second tube characterised in that the first tube is located inside the second tube. Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey comprising: a) a first tube which provides a breeding chamber for breeding predatory mites, b) a second tube which is refuge structure adjacent to the breeding chamber to provide a refuge for prey of said predatory mites, and c) at least one path from the breeding chamber to the refuge structure wherein the first tube is located inside the second tube. Thus, the first tube is an inner tube and the second tube is an outer tube. The circumference of the first tube is thus smaller than that of the second tube.

In one embodiment, the outer and/or inner surface or wall of said second and/or first tube comprises one or more cavities. For example, said surface(s) may be a ridged or corrugated surface. Such a surface provides cavities in which the prey mite are able to hide.

In one embodiment, the first (inner) and second (outer) tube are concentric or non concentric. In one embodiment, the tubes are non concentric and the surfaces or walls of the tubes may be a ridged or corrugated. The inner tube may be inserted into the outer tube so that the ridged surfaces provide a tongue and groove like attachment assembly. In another embodiment, attachment means may be provided to secure the inner against the outer tube, such as an adhesive, a screw or clip.

In another embodiment, the tubes are concentric. In this embodiment, connective means connect the inner and outer tube and hold the inner tube in place. These may also serve as a path from the breeding chamber to the refuge. The connective means may comprise a rod or tube and may be made of the same or different material as the tubes.

In one embodiment of the apparatus described above, the second tube comprises at least one aperture. This aperture or opening may be a circular hole in the tube which allows the prey mite, in particular poultry red mite access to the inner surface of the second tube. The shape of the opening may also take a different form. The first tube may also comprise at least one aperture. In a preferred embodiment, both, the first and the second tube comprise one or more aperture. Apertures in the tube walls may provide a path from the breeding chamber to the refuge structure.

In one preferred embodiment of the apparatus described above, the tubes are non concentric, the surfaces are ridged or corrugated surface and the inner tube is attached to the outer tube in a tongue and groove attachment assembly. The inner and outer tube comprise apertures and the apertures in said inner tube provide a path from the breeding chamber to the refuge.

The size of said aperture of the second and/or first tube is about 0.5 to about 8, preferably about 1.5 to about 5 mm in diameter and may be an irregular opening such as a slit of any suitable or convenient shape.

The diameter of the first tube may be about 10 to about 100 mm, preferably about 30 to about 60 mm, preferably about 40 to about 48 mm and the size of the second tube may be about 10 to about 100 mm, preferably about 30 to about 80 mm, preferably about 55 to about 64 mm. Each tube may be about 150 to about 300 mm in length.

In another embodiment of the apparatus, the breeding chamber comprises a first tube and the refuge structure comprises a second tube characterised in that the first tube and the second tube are arranged in a parallel orientation. At least one path connects the first and second tube to allow the predatory mite access to the prey mite. The path may be connective means, for example comprising a tube or rod.

In one embodiment, the second tube comprises at least one aperture or opening. Preferably, the tube comprises a plurality of apertures. This allows the poultry red mite to access the refuge. The size of said aperture may be about 0.5 to about 8, preferably about 1.5 to about 5 mm in diameter and may be an irregular opening such as a slit of any suitable or convenient shape.

In one embodiment, the outer and/or inner surface or wall of the second comprises one or more cavities. For example, said surface(s) may be a ridged or corrugated surface. Such a surface provides cavities in which the prey mite, in particular poultry red mite, are able to hide.

In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus wherein said apparatus comprises a tube and wherein said tube has two end sections and a middle section, wherein the two end sections are greater in circumference than the middle section and wherein the end sections are breeding chambers and the middle section is a refuge. In one embodiment, the middle section comprises at least one aperture and at least one cavity. Prey mites may hide in the cavities of the inner surface and may thus be accessed by the predatory mites through the tube structure.

In one embodiment of the different aspects of the invention set out herein, the apparatus may comprise an attachment means for attaching the apparatus to a poultry cage, such as a cable tie, adhesive tape, or suitable clip. Alternatively, the apparatus may be attached by means of a screw or adhesive.

In one embodiment of the different aspects of the invention set out herein, the one or more tube is made of a material selected from a plastic or polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene, ceramic, wood, metal or any other suitable material.

In another embodiment of the different aspects of the invention set out herein, the breeding chamber comprises a breeding sachet. Preferably, the breeding sachet comprises predatory mites, and/or predatory mite eggs, a factitious host and a carrier material.

The factitious host may be selected from mite species selected from: i) Carpoglyphidae such as from the genus Carpoglyphus e.g. Carpoglyphus lactis; ii) Pyroglyphidae such as from the genus Dermatophagoides e.g. Dermatophagoides pteronysinus, Dermatophagoides farinae; from the genus Euroglyphus e.g. Euroglyphus longior, Euroglyphus maynei; from the genus Pyroglyphus e.g. Pyroglyphus africanus; Glyciphagidae such as from the genus Glycyphagus e.g. Glyciphagus destructor, Glycxphagus domesticus; from the genus Lepidoglyphus e.g. Lepidoglyphus destructor or iv) Acaridae such as from the genus Tyrophagus e.g. Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tyrophagus tropicus; from the genus Acarus e.g. Acarus siro, Acarus farris; from the genus Lardoglyphus e.g. Lardoglyphus konoi.

Preferably, the mite is selected from the order Acariformes, such as Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus siro, Acarus ferris, Carpoglyphus lactis, Suidasia nesbitti, or any other suitable, easily cultured mites.

The apparatus as described herein is suitable for control of poultry red mites. The predatory mites may therefore be selected from Hypoaspis, such as Hypoaspis aculeifer, Cheyletus eruditus or any other predatory species of poultry red mites from the order Parasitiformes. Other predatory mites may be Androlealaps casalis or Macrocheles robustulus.

The carrier material may be selected from flour, yeast, a sugar, cereal bran, sawdust, vermiculite or any other suitable material.

In another embodiment of the different aspects of the invention set out herein, the apparatus includes irrigation means to deliver moisture to the breeding chamber. The irrigation means may include a tube to deliver water to the breeding chamber. The breeding chamber may include hydrophilic material to absorb the water to help maintain a moist environment in the breeding chamber. The hydrophilic material may be selected from hydrophilic gels such as polyacrylamide gel. Alternatively, a fabric may be used.

In another embodiment of the different aspects of the invention set out herein, the breeding chamber may include at least one widened section allowing the insertion of breeding sachets therein. Attachment means to attach the sachet to the breeding chamber may also be provided or alternatively the sachet is of a size relative to the breeding chamber that it will lodge sufficiently securely within the breeding chamber.

In another embodiment of the apparatus described herein, the refuge structure includes an aggregation pheromone or semio-chemical to attract prey. Preferably the aggregation pheromone or semio-chemical attracts poultry red mites.

In another embodiment of the apparatus described herein, the refuge structure may include a matrix such as organic materials such as peat, coir or any other suitable material which enhances the refuge environment for the predators and red mites.

The tubes of the apparatus described herein may be of varying lengths to allow them to be located adjacent refuge sites which normally occur in chicken houses.

The invention also relates to the use of an apparatus as described herein in the control of poultry red mites, for example Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus sylviarum or any other similar pest of poultry. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for the control of poultry red mites comprising rearing and releasing a predatory mite using an apparatus as described herein.

The apparatus disclosed herein may form a biological control package or kit comprising an the apparatus described herein, with each respective breeding chamber having predatory mites or their eggs, a factitious host and food for the factitious host.

The predatory mites may be selected from Hypoaspis mites, Hypoaspis aculeifer, Cheyletus eruditus or other predatory species of poultry red mites from the order Parasitiformes. Other predatory mites may be Androlealaps casalis or Macrocheles robustulus.

The factitious host may be selected from the following mite species: i) Carpoglyphidae such as from the genus Carpoglyphus e.g. Carpoglyphus lactis; ii) Pyroglyphidae such as from the genus Dermatophagoides e.g. Dermatophagoides pteronysinus, Dermatophagoides farinae; from the genus Euroglyphus e.g. Euroglyphus longior, Euroglyphus maynei; from the genus Pyroglyphus e.g. Pyroglyphus africanus; Glyciphagidae such as from the genus Glycyphagus e.g. Glyciphagus destructor, Glycxphagus domesticus; from the genus Lepidoglyphus e.g. Lepidoglyphus destructor or iv) Acaridae such as from the genus Tyrophagus e.g. Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tyrophagus tropicus; from the genus Acarus e.g. Acarus siro, Acarus farris; from the genus Lardoglyphus e.g. Lardoglyphus konoi.

Preferably, the mite is selected from the order Acariformes, such as Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus siro, Acarus ferris, Carpoglyphus lactis, Suidasia nesbitti, or any other suitable, easily cultured mites.

The food for the factitious host may be selected from cereal bran, flour, yeasts, a sugar and other suitable food components.

An aggregation pheromone or semio-chemical may be included to attract poultry red mites.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. In another embodiment the invention relates to an apparatus as shown in one of the drawings herein.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the non-limiting accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of second embodiment, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment, and Figure 4 shows a views of a fourth embodiment

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a an apparatus 1 for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey.

Apparatus 1 has a breeding chamber 2 inside a tube 3 for breeding predatory mites. The outer surface of tube 3 has a number of annular cavities 4 to provide a refuge structure for prey of the predatory mites bred in adjacent chamber 2. A plurality of apertures 5 in the tube wall, provide paths from the breeding chamber 2 to the annular cavities 4. Annular cavities 4 contain an aggregation pheromone or semio-chemical to attract prey. Irrigation means in the form of a tube 6 can be used to deliver moisture to the breeding chamber 2. The breeding chamber may include hydrophilic material (not shown) to absorb water to help maintain a moist environment in the breeding chamber.

In use prey take refuge in the annular cavities 4, and the predatory mites bred in the breeding chamber 2 access the prey through the apertures 5.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown an apparatus 11 for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey.

Apparatus 11 has a breeding chamber 12 inside a first tube 13A for breeding predatory mites. The inside of a second tube 13B provide a refuge structure for prey of the predatory mites bred in adjacent chamber 12. Holes 14 in the second tube 13B allow the prey to enter the second tube 13B, A plurality of pathways in the form of tunnels 15, provide paths from the inside of breeding chamber 12 inside tube 13A to the refuge structure formed by the inside of the tube 13B. Tube 13B contains an aggregation pheromone or semio-chemical to attract prey. Irrigation means in the form of a tube 16 can be used to deliver moisture to the breeding chamber 12. The breeding chamber may include hydrophilic material (not shown) to absorb water to help maintain a moist environment in the breeding chamber.

In use prey take refuge in the tube 13B, and the predatory mites bred in the breeding chamber 12 access the prey through the tunnels 15.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown an apparatus 21 for rearing and releasing predatory mites and accommodating their prey.

Apparatus 21 has a breeding chamber formed by two sub-breeding chambers 22A.22B inside a widened sections 23A.23B of a tube 23 for breeding predatory mites. The outer surface of a narrow section 23C tube 23 has a number of annular cavities 24 to provide a refuge structure for prey of the predatory mites bred in adjacent sub-chamber 22A or 22B. A plurality of apertures 25 in the tube wall, provide paths from the sub-breeding chambers 22A.22B to the annular cavities 24. Annular cavities 24 contain an aggregation pheromone or semio- chemical to attract prey. Irrigation means in the form of a tubes 26A,26B can be used to deliver moisture to the sub- breeding chambers 22A.22B. The sub-breeding chambers 22A,22B may include hydrophilic material (not shown) to absorb water to help maintain a moist environment in the breeding chambers.

Sub-breeding chambers 22A.22B are adapted to receive breeding sachets 27A.27B. The sachets may contain predatory mites or their eggs, a factitious host and food for the factitious host.

In use prey take refuge in the annular cavities 24, and the predatory mites bred in the sub- breeding chambers 22a, 22b access the prey through the apertures 25.

Figure 4 A) shows a perspective view of parts of the apparatus before they are assembled. The breeding chamber comprises a first tube 28 which is inserted into the inside 33 of the refuge comprising a second tube 29. Both tubes comprise cavities 30 and apertures 31. The inside 32 of the first tube 28 may receive a breeding sachet. Figure 4 B) is a cross section of the apparatus along the longitudinal line, i.e. of the first tube 28 and second tube 29 when they are assembled to form the apparatus. The tubes are in non concentric orientation. The ridges and cavities of the walls of the tubes fit together in a tongue and groove like assembly where the two tubes meet, thus securing the first tube against the second tube.