Patent Number: 6493363
Docket Number: 8597
Serial Number: 9079163
Date Patented: 12/10/2002
Agency:
Agricultural Research Service
Date Filed:
May 15, 1998
Abstract:
The invention is a way to monitor flying insect pest populations in stored
agricultural commodities such as dried fruits, nuts and packaging goods. The
invention uses sensors to detect insect pests and includes electrocutor traps for
accurate counting of insect pests. The technology is important in determining the
type of treatment and its frequency required to avoid damage to agricultural
commodities. The invention replaces the need to manually inspect pheromone-
based traps to determine pest infestation. Because the invention kills the pest after
it is counted, it eliminates the probability of repeat counts that can occur using
current traps.