TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a modular lamp system for insect breeding, particularly tropical insects. The object of the invention is also a method of insect breeding and the use of modular lamp system to stimulate insect reproduction.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of hermetia larvae Hermetia illucens, a fly species originating from North America is increasing in the process of utilization and conversion of biomass and organic waste. Due to the specific environmental demands, natural occurrence of the species is limited to a relatively small area in the sub-tropical zone. Specific requirements of the species prevent a yearlong breeding of hermetia in the climatic conditions of Central and Northern Europe. This prevents uncontrolled spread of hermetia and its adaptation to the environment as a potentially invasive insect, allowing full control even in cultures on an industrial scale.

At the same time, these requirements impose the use of support systems for the insect reproduction. Similar problem applies to the breeding of other insect species that naturally occur in the Tropics, for example locusts, commonly used in amateur and professional breeding, as food for prosimians, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

From the perspective of hermetia reproduction stimulation, key factors mentioned in literature are the intensity of light (Tomberlin JK, Sheppard DC. 2002. Factors Influencing mating and oviposition of black soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) in a colony. Journal Entomological Science. 37: 345- 352) and light spectral range (Zhang J., Sun M., L. Huang, Z. Liu, He J., Yu Z., Tomberlin JK (2010) An artificial light source influences mating and oviposition of black soldier flies, Hermetia illucens. Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 10 | Article 202). In industrial conditions, hermetia breeding is supported by using iodine-quartz lamps of high power and a very broad spectral range of 350-2500 nm, that goes far beyond the perception of insects - studies by Briscoe et al. (Briscoe AD Chittka L. 2001 . The evolution of color vision in insects. Annual Review of Entomology 46: 471 -510) indicate, insects perceive visible light in the range up to 700 nm. Said lamps are not dedicated for insect breeding and are not capable selectively controlling individual spectral ranges.

Due to the emission of radiation in a broad spectral range, lamps are energy-consuming and emit large quantities of thermal radiation. The light of the iodine-quartz lamps is intermittent and importantly for the implementation in hermetia reproduction support, the lamp emission spectrum changes over time of use in an uncontrolled manner, while emission in the range of 350-455 nm is significantly reduced.

Alternatively, mesh aviaries in a volume of 2-6 m ³ are used with sunlight, this system however excludes a yearlong hermetia breeding in temperate climate and prevents precise control of environmental conditions within the aviary (temperature and humidity).

The object of the invention is to provide an efficient system for insect breeding and reproduction stimulation, particularly for stimulation in breeding chambers, especially for insect species which do not originate from the temperate climate. This object has been achieved with the use of the modular lamp system for insect breeding according to the invention, which actively stimulates insects to reproduce and enables efficient breeding particularly for Hermetia illucens and locusts, particularly Locusta migratoria and/or Schistocerca gregaria. The inventors have found it is feasible to use a lamp system enabling control of irradiance and illumination intensity in individual spectral ranges to stimulate hermetia and locusts reproduction, with the assumption that due to the characteristics of insect vision the spectrum will be limited to the wavelength range of 350-800 nm. Research conducted by the Inventors of the present invention has shown that it is possible to use artificial light to effectively stimulate insect reproduction, including insect species not naturally occurring in temperate climates, in particular the Hermetia illucens and locust species, such as Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a modular lamp system for insect breeding and reproduction stimulation which includes lamp emitting light in the range of 400-800 nm and at least one lamp with a peak emission below about 410 nm, wherein the light intensity measured 50 cm from the light source is not less than 5000 Ix with irradiance in the spectral range of 350-1 OOOnm being at the level of 35-50 W/m ² , wherein not less than 95% of the irradiance is in the range of 350-

700nm, and wherein the irradiance in the spectral range of 370-41 Onm is 25-80% of the irradiance in the range of 350-700nm and is not less than 10 W/m ² . The term "lamp" indicates a single device that may comprise a plurality of light sources emitting light at different wavelengths, especially in the range of 350-1000 nm.

Research conducted by the Inventors confirmed that lighting in the range below about 410 nm, in particular in the range of about 370-410 nm is crucial for the stimulation of insect reproductive behavior, particularly for tropical insects, particularly hermetia and locusts. White light in the range of about 400-800 nm have not stimulated insects flight flying and mating activities. As Inventors of present invention surprisingly discovered the addition of the at least one lamp with a peak emission below about 410 nm to the spectral range is sufficient to cause a rapid increase of activity observable after few minutes, and reproductive behavior. The use of the solution according to the invention increases reproduction efficiency by over 50% with respect to the one described in literature.

The essence of the solution according to the invention is the use of lamp module and/or a single lamp comprising a light source giving a sufficiently strong light in the range of 400-800 nm, comprising any lamp known in the art which gives so-called white, cool light, wherein the module further comprises at least one lamp with a peak emission below 410 nm, giving a sufficiently strong light in this range (irradiance in spectral range of 370-410 nm is 25-80% of the irradiance in the range of 350-1 OOOnm and is not less than 10 W/m ² ). One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many possible construction methods of such a module. The module may be constructed in any convenient manner, also with commercially available lamps, preferably LED lamps, depending on the location requirements, the availability of power source, the quantity of insects breeding, etc., and it will fulfill its purpose as long as the lighting parameters are maintained as described above. Lamp parameters specified by the manufacturer were verified by a series of measurements made with the JETI device from Technische Instrumente GmbH.

The solution according to the invention enables easier control of the spectrum emission quality and the replacement of individual lighting modules without replacing the entire lighting installation.

Preferably, all lamps included in the module according to the invention are controlled independently, preferably in a manner allowing to control the intensity of illumination of each lamp in a manner known in the art. Said independent control of each lamp enables easier simulation of the lighting of the natural environment, in terms of both: light intensity and spectral range specific for the latitude of natural occurrence of the bred insect cultures, as well as to easily increase irradiance in the spectral range below about 410 nm, even above the level occurring in the natural environment. Preferably, the lamps are LED lamps. For example, LED lamps with a nominal power of 20W can be used. The Inventors have found that the implementation of the system according to the invention allows to reduce energy consumption by about 70% compared to the energy consumption with the use of iodine-quartz lamps with the simultaneous improvement of reproduction efficiency.

Preferably, the intensity of light emitted by the modular system according to the invention in the range of below 410 nm exceeds the intensity of sunlight in this range. As inventors surprisingly found, the total intensity of light and irradiance in the range of the visible spectrum are of secondary importance in insect reproduction stimulation, whereas the solution according to the invention enables achieving increased activity and reproductive behaviors of insects exceeding the values obtained for insects illuminated by sunlight. In a preferred embodiment, at least one lamp has a peak emission of about 385 nm., that stimulates the insect reproductive behavior.

Preferably, the system according to the invention further comprises a lamp having a peak emission of about 405 nm., that provides additional stimulation for reproductive behavior.

In an embodiment, the system according to the invention comprises lamps of total nominal power of about 120 W.

In a preferred embodiment, the modular lamp system is composed of 6 lamps with a total nominal power of 120 W, including 4 LED lamps emitting "cool white" light in the range of 400- 800 nm and 2 lamps with emission peaks respectively of 385 nm and 405 nm. The system provides a highly efficient stimulation of reproductive behavior.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises an additional lamp having a peak emission of about 455 nm, which is advantageous for breeding/rearing locusts.

In an embodiment, the system according to the invention further comprises a lamp having a peak emission of about 375 nm, which provides additional stimulation of reproductive behavior of insects.

Preferably, the system according to the invention is installed in closed breeding chambers, preferably with the height lower than 150 cm, more preferably lower than about 120 cm, more preferably lower than 100 cm, and/or having a bottom surface area in the range of 0.1 -1 m ² , preferably equal to or less than about 1 m ² , 0.8 m ² , 0.6 m ² , 0.5 m ² , 0.4 m ² , 0.3 m ² , 0.32 m ² , 0.2 m ² , 0.1 m ² .

The object of the invention is also a method of breeding insects and stimulation of reproduction in breeding chambers, wherein the insects are provided with a light source with the use of the modular lamp system according to the invention.

Preferably, the insects are selected from the species native to subtropical and tropical climate zone, non-native to the temperate climate zone, particularly Hermetia illucens and locusts, especially Locusta migratoria and/or Schistocerca gregaria. Insects can be grown for various purposes including the production of food and/or feed, for the recreational, scientific, industrial and other purposes.

In an embodiment, the insects are kept in closed breeding chambers, preferably of a height lower than 150 cm, more preferably lower than about 120 cm, more preferably lower than 100 cm, and/or having a bottom surface area in the range of 0.1 -1 m ² , preferably equal to or less than about 1 m ² , 0.8 m ² , 0.6 m ² , 0.5 m ² , 0.4 m ² , 0.3 m ² , 0.32 m ² , 0.2 m ² , 0.1 m ² . The solution according to the invention enables significant reduction in the space required for the insect breeding that require proper lighting.

The object of the invention is also a use of a modular lamp system according to the invention for insect reproduction stimulation.

Preferably, the insects are selected from species non-native to the temperate climate zone, in particular Hermetia illucens and locusts, especially Locusta migratoria and/or Schistocerca gregaria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows the intensity in spectral range of 350-1000 nm. Combination 1 : [cool white], compared with sunlight;

Fig. 2 shows the intensity in spectral range of 350-1000 nm. Combination 2: [cool white, 375 nm, 385 nm, 405 nm, 455 nm], compared with sunlight;

Fig. 3 shows the intensity in spectral range of 350-1000 nm. Combination 3: [cool white, 385 nm] compared to sunlight;

Fig. 4 shows the intensity in spectral range of 350-1 OOOnm. Combination 4: [Cool white, 385 nm, 405 nm] as compared with sunlight. Fig. 5 shows the intensity in spectral range of 350-1000 nm. Combination 5: [cool white, 385 nm, 405 nm, 455 nm], compared with sunlight.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. Stimulation of Hermetia illucens reproduction

A modular system with lamps emitting light in the near ultraviolet range having emission peaks of 375 nm, 385 nm 405 nm, 455 nm was used, allowing for control of lighting intensity, and for inclusion of individual spectral ranges. The system consisted of 8 LED lamps with a nominal power of 20W, including 4 lamps emitting "cool white" light in the range of 400-800 nm and 4 lamps with a narrow spectral range having emission peaks at 375 nm, 385 nm 405 nm, 455 nm. The system enabled independent control of each lamp in the nominal range. The system was used in a plexiglass cabinet measuring 40 x 80 x 100 cm (W x L x H) with the bottom surface area of 0.32 m ² , equipped with a monitoring system monitoring temperature and air humidity providing an effective gravitational ventilation.

Three experiments on a group of insects of 100-130 subjects were performed. Subjects aged 2 days after transformation to the form of imago, ready for reproduction, were selected. Experiments were performed at temperature of 26°C and a relative air humidity of 40%. Insects originated from the inventors breeding line.

In the experiments the mobility of insects (leaps to mating flight) was determined, 5 min after turning on the light of the given range and/or after exposure of insects to sunlight (sunny day, the sun at its zenith), expressed as a percentage of insects in flight in relation to the total number of insects and the number of insects connected during copulation 30 minutes after turning on the light of the given range or after exposure to sunlight, expressed as a percentage of insects during copulation in relation to the total number of insects. For each group between the individual measurements intervals of 60 minutes were retained. Each experiment used a different combination sequence of light sources.

Combinations of light sources utilized, including light intensity and irradiance are described in Table 1 . Graphs of the spectrum for each combination compared to solar spectrum are shown in Fig. 1 -5. Measurements were made with a calibrated device specbos 121 1 UV from JETI Technische Instrumente GmbH. The results of experiments (n = 3) are described in Table 2. Table. 1 Light intensity and irradiance in the utilized light sources combinations

Irradiance (W/m ² )

Light intensity (Ix)

350-1000 nm

1 . 4 x cool white 5165 19

2. 4 x cool white 5590 43

1 x 375 nm

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

1 x 455 nm

3. 4 x cool white 5202 27

1 x 385 nm

4. 4 x cool white 5355 42

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

5. 4 x cool white 5522 42

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

1 x 455 nm

6. sunlight 67077 324

Table. 2 Insect mobility and the percentage of copulating insects (n=3) in the chamber, with the use of particular light combinations. Average values for triplicates.

Percent of copulating

insects [%] t=30

1 . 4 x cool white 5.3 0

2. 4 x cool white 77.6 52.3

1 x 375 nm

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

1 x 455 nm

3. 4 x cool white 58.2 40.2

1 x 385 nm

4. 4 x cool white 74.5 50.6

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

5. 4 x cool white 75.4 54.4

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

1 x 455 nm

6. sunlight 68.5 38.2

Example 2. Stimulation of locusts reproduction.

The experiment was performed with the use of the system described in Example 1 . The experiment was performed in temperature of 35 °C on groups of 50 adults (25.25.0), aged 7-12 days after the last moulting, of the species Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria. In the experiments the mobility and pairing of insects was assessed, 5 and 30 minutes after turning on the lights, respectively (Table 3).

Table. 3 The percentage of paired insects (n = 1) in the chamber with the use of a particular light combination.

Percentage of paired insects Percentage of paired insects

Schostocerca gregaria [%] Locusta migratoria [%]

1 . 4 x cool white 20 16

2. 4 x cool white 64 72

1 x 375 nm

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

1 x 455 nm

3. 4 x cool white 60 72

1 x 385 nm

4. 4 x cool white 64 68

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

5. 4 x cool white 68 76

1 x 385 nm

1 x 405 nm

1 x 455 nm

6. sunlight 68 76

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the research conducted with the use of the prototype lighting panel based on LED lamps, the Inventors confirmed the important role of light in the spectral range of 370-410 nm in reproductive behavior stimulation of hermetia and locusts.

White light in the range of 400-800 nm (Table 2 Item 1 ) does not stimulate hermetia to flight and mating activity. The inclusion of spectral lamps with a peak emission of 385 nm (Table 2 item 3) causes a rapid increase in activity, flies take flight and after 30 minutes they copulate intensively. Number of copulating insects is comparable to the number of copulating insects for the control (Table 2 item 6), i.e. sunlight measured on a sunny, cloudless day in the time of ascendancy of the sun at its zenith, which is an increase in the efficiency of reproduction in relation to the iodine-quartz lamp described in literature by approximately 50%.

This effect is intensified with the use of an additional light source with a peak emission of 405 nm (Table 2 item 4), which clearly indicates the important role of light in the range of 370-410 nm for the stimulation of hermetia reproductive behavior. It is significant that with the use of white light and two independent sources of light in the 370-410 nm band, having emission peaks of 385 nm and 405 nm with intensity exceeding the intensity of sunlight for these ranges (Fig. 2, 3, 4), the activity increase by approximately 25% compared to the results obtained for sunlight is observed. Simultaneously it has been shown that increasing intensity in additional spectral ranges of 375 nm and 455 nm (Table 2, item 2 and 5), did not significantly affect the activity of hermetia, suggesting that the use of additional lamps emitting light with peaks in this range may not be necessary.

Comparing the intensity of light and irradiance in the range above 410 nm (Table 1 item 1 and 5; Fig. 1 ) indicates that the total intensity of light and irradiance in the range of the visible spectrum, are of secondary importance for stimulating hermetia reproduction, and light emission limited to this range is not sufficient to stimulate reproduction (Table 2 item 1 ).

The 4 ^th variant comprising 6 lamps with a total nominal power of 120 W was considered the best solution (Table 1 item. 4; Fig. 4). The solution according to the invention enables the reduction of energy consumption by about 70% compared to the energy consumption with the use of iodine-quartz lamps with the simultaneous improvement in reproduction efficiency.

The use of modular lamp system according to the invention enables to control the spectrum emission and the replacement of individual lamp modules without replacing the entire lighting system. Independent control of individual lamps can simulate light conditions of the natural environment, both in terms of light intensity and spectrum specific for latitudes of hermetia's natural occurrence, as well as increasing irradiance spectrum below 455 nm above the levels found in the natural environment.

The use of the modular system according to the invention in closed breeding chambers for monitoring the state of insect population enables accurate and precise control of critical environmental parameters, while significantly reducing the space required for the reproduction, with respect to the solutions used in the industry, the present invention enabling efficient and effective stimulation of hermetia reproduction in a chamber with a height of 100 cm and having a bottom surface area not bigger than 0.32 m ² , thus several times smaller than the solutions described in literature (Tomberlin et al .; Zgang et al.).

Light in the range of 385-455 nm seems to play a key role in the stimulation of reproductive behavior of locust species Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria. Despite lower total irradiance in the range of 350-700 nm, the number of activate locust showing reproductive behavior was similar to the one with the use of natural light.