WO2018183277A1

WO2018183277A1 - Insect trap

Info

Publication number: WO2018183277A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/024492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hirotaka Uchiyama; Christopher Lawrence Smith; Andrew Sandford
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

An insect trapping device having a base and a cartridge is provided. The cartridge has a front wall having an external face and an internal face. The cartridge also has an adhesive portion that is positioned adjacent the internal face. The external face has a roughened portion to provide a suitable landing zone for a flying insect, such as a mosquito.

Description

INSECT TRAP

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to insect trapping devices, and more specifically to mosquito trapping devices having mosquito lures.

BACKGROUND

Historically, a variety of pest control devices have been employed to trap insects and other pests. With recent outbreaks of various diseases, infections, and other health risks that are spread by insects, the need for pest control devices has only increased. Such pest control devices typically employ an attraction mechanism for luring pests to the pest control device. Example attraction mechanisms include baits such as food, light, heat, pheromones, or other odorous materials found attractive by the pest. Some pest control devices have historically included an immobilization mechanism to prevent the pest from exiting the pest control device. One type of immobilization mechanism used is a substrate such as a board, paper or other medium having a surface coated with an adhesive. Pests attracted to the pest control device or incidentally coming into contact with the adhesive become trapped by adhesion.

For some consumers, it is desirable to have a pest control device that is capable of simultaneously attracting and capturing a wide variety of flying insects, including mosquitoes, flies, moths, and so forth. However, mosquitoes can be particularly dangerous. Certain species of mosquitoes are known carriers of a number of diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, the west nile virus, and the zika virus. Of these diseases, malaria has been described by some as the "most prevalent and most pernicious disease of humans". White, N., Antimalarial Drug Resistance, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol. 113, no. 8 (2004). As of 2010, the World Health Organization estimated that 219 million cases of malaria and 660,000 deaths occurred. Daniel, J., Drug Resistant Malaria - A Generation of Progress in Jeopardy, Center for Strategic & International Studies (2013). Tragically, malaria is the third leading cause of death for children under the age of 5, claiming more than 50 lives every hour. Id. Some mosquito species, such as Aedes Aegypti, Aedes Albopictus, Aedes Canadensis, Anopheles Gambiae, Anopheles Fenustus, Culex Annulirotris, Culex Annulus and Culex Pipiens, are believed to be carriers of human disease.

Heat is a known attractant for mosquitoes. See, e.g. , Maekawa et al., The role of proboscis of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi in host-seeking behavior, Parasites and Vectors, 4: 10 (2011). Greppi et al. observed that "mosquitoes were strongly attracted to a target when heated above ambient, but only up to ~50°C. When it got hotter, this attraction declined strongly." Greppi et al., Some like it hot, but not too hot, eLife 4:el2838 (2015). See, also, Corfas et al., The cation channel TRPA1 tunes mosquito thermotaxis to host temperatures, eLife 4:el l750 (2015). Mosquitoes and other insects can also be attracted to light sources. See, e.g. , Burkett et al., Laboratory evaluation of colored light as an attractant for female aedes agypti, aedes albopictus, anopheles quadrimaculatus and culex nigripalpus, The Florida Entomologist, Vol. 88, No. 4 (2005).

Insect trapping devices that combine an adhesive for trapping insects together with light and heat are known, some examples being described in PCT patent publication WO 2015/164,849. However, there are opportunities for improvement. Indeed, it would be advantageous to provide an insect trapping device that provides improved techniques for capturing insects, particularly mosquitoes, once they are attracted to the device. While numerous opportunities for improvement are described above, it will be appreciated that the disclosure hereafter is not limited to devices that provide any or all such improvements.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure fulfills one or more of the needs described above by, in one embodiment, an insect trapping device comprising a mosquito lure, a base, and a cartridge releaseably engaging the base. The cartridge comprises a substantially vertical front wall defining a front opening for receiving a flying or crawling insect. The cartridge comprises an adhesive portion for trapping the insect. The adhesive portion has a front face and a rear face. The front wall has an external face and an internal face. The external face comprises a roughened portion and the internal face is positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages the base. The roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than about 2.0 μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178-2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein.

In another embodiment, an insect trapping device comprises a base comprising an upstanding shroud having a front surface. The shroud having disposed therein an electric heating element for heating the front surface of the shroud. Prongs extend from the base and the prongs are insertable into an electric socket. The insect trapping device comprises a mosquito lure. A cartridge is releaseably engaging the base. The cartridge defines a bottom opening through which the shroud passes when the cartridge engages the base. The cartridge comprises a front wall that defines a front opening for receiving a flying or crawling insect. The cartridge comprises an adhesive portion for trapping the insect. The adhesive portion has a front face and a rear face. The front wall has an external face and an internal face. The external face comprises a roughened portion and the internal face positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages the base. The roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than about 2.0 μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178-2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein.

In another embodiment, a method of trapping flying insects comprises connecting a flying insect trap to a power source. The flying insect trap has a base comprising an electric heating element for heating a portion of the flying insect trap and a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a front wall defining a front opening for receiving a flying insect. The cartridge comprises an adhesive portion for trapping the flying insect. The adhesive portion has a front face, where the front wall has an external face comprising a roughened portion. The roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than about 2.0 μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178-2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein. Subsequent to the heating of a portion of the insect trap, a flying insect is received onto the roughened portion of the external face. Subsequent to the flying insect crawling through the front opening, the flying insect is captured on the adhesive portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of nonlimiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an example insect trapping device;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the insect trapping device depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 A is an exploded view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3A taken along line 3B— 3B subsequent to the insertion of the insert;

FIG. 4 depicts the cartridge of FIG. 3A being coupled to a base; FIGS. 5A-5B are isometric views of an another example cartridge;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cartridge shown in FIGS. 5A-5B;

FIG. 7 depicts an example insect trapping device using the cartridge of FIGS. 5A-5B; FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the cartridge and the base of FIG. 7 taken through the geometric center of the shroud subsequent to the coupling of the cartridge to the base;

FIGS. 9A-9C are still photographs from video footage showing mosquito landing events on a sample insect trapping device;

FIGS. 10A-10D are still photographs from video footage showing mosquito landing events on a sample insect trapping device;

FIGS. 11A-11D are still photographs from video footage showing mosquito landing events on a sample insect trapping device;

FIGS. 12A-12B are still photographs from video footage showing mosquito landing events on a sample insect trapping device;

FIGS. 13A-13D are still photographs from video footage showing mosquito landing events on a sample insect trapping device; and

FIG. 14 is depicts example surface roughness zones of an example insect trapping device.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for insect trapping devices, methods of making insect trapping devices, and methods of using insect trapping devices. Various nonlimiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the function, design and use of the insect trapping devices disclosed herein. One or more examples of these nonlimiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are nonlimiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various nonlimiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one nonlimiting embodiment can be combined with the features of other nonlimiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, an example insect trapping device 100 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment is depicted. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the insect trapping device 100 depicted in FIG. 1. The insect trapping device 100 has a base 102 and a cartridge 118 that can be selectively coupled to the base 102 by a user. The cartridge 118 includes an insert 150 and a shell 122 that is configured to receive the insert 150. The insert 150 can include an adhesive portion 152 that immobilizes insects that contact a front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152. The base 102 can include prongs 112 such that the insect trapping device 100 can be plugged into a suitable power source, such as a wall socket. In other configurations the insect trapping device 100 can draw power from an onboard battery or other type of power source (i.e., solar). The insect trapping device 100 can utilize a variety of attractants to draw insects into the device, such as heat, light, chemical composition attractants, and so forth, generally referred to herein as "lures," some of which may require a power source to operate. As such, the power source may be used to energize various onboard components, such as an electric heating element 110, a light source 114, and/or other components which may serve to attract insects to the insect trapping device 100. Some example configurations of insect trapping devices utilize only non-electrical attractants that do not require a power supply, such as evaporative chemical attractants and the like. The lures associated with the insect trapping device 100 can be selected or otherwise calibrated to attract certain types of insects, such as mosquitoes and/or other flying insects. With regard to the electric heating element 110, a wide variety of heating elements may be utilized. Example electric heating elements include, but are not limited to, metal heating elements, ceramic heating elements, polymeric heating elements, composite heating elements, and/or combinations thereof. The electric heating element 110 may be used to attract mosquitoes when the temperature selected mimics human or other food source body temperature. Furthermore, while the insect trapping device 100 depicted in FIGS. 1-2 includes both an electric heating element 110 and a light source 114, this disclosure is not so limited. Instead, insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can utilize a variety of different insect lures to draw insects into the insect trapping device and onto an adhesive portion positioned therein. Some insect trapping devices may utilize a single lure, such as a single mosquito lure. Other insect trapping devices may utilize a combination of mosquito lures or a combination of lures selected to attract a variety of insect types.

With specific regard mosquito lures, chemical, thermal, and visual attractants are all known to be useful, whether used alone or in combination, in attracting mosquitoes. As such, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to any particular mosquito lure or combination of lures. Various configurations of insect trapping devices in accordance with present disclosure can, for example, incorporate substances known to attract mosquitoes that simulate humans, such as components of perspiration and breath. Chemicals that serve as human "mimics" include CO2, moisture, lactic acid, aliphatic carboxcylic acids, octenol, nonanal, and the like. Chemicals including fatty acids associated with microflora on skin may also be used.

The shell 122 may have a front housing 124 that has external surface 126 and a rear housing 128 that has a rear surface 130. The front housing 124 and the rear housing 128 can be separate pieces that are coupled together to form the shell 122, or the front housing 124 and the rear housing 128 can be a unitary piece which integrally forms the shell 122. The front housing 124 and the rear housing 128 substantially can enclose the adhesive portion 152 of the insert 150 once the insert is seated within the shell 122. Alternatively, in some configurations, an adhesive portion predisposed within the shell is provided to a user, such as illustrated by cartridge 218, described below.

The front housing 124 may define one or more openings 132 for receiving a flying or crawling insect. Once the insect enters the shell 122 through one of the openings 132, it can navigate through the front cavity 188 and come in contact with the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 of the insert 150. In some embodiments, the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 may be positioned at a particular internal offset distance from an internal face 133 of the front housing 124, as measured in accordance with the Measurement Test Method described in co-filed application number 62/478,973, filed March 30, 2017, and titled INSECT TRAPPING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the internal offset distance between the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 and the internal face 133 of the front housing 124 can be less than about 7 mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone.

While FIGS. 1-2 depict one example arrangement of openings 132, it is to be appreciated that the size, arrangement, and number of the one or more openings 132 can vary. The total collective size of the openings 132 can be selected based on the overall surface area of an external face 184, which can be the portion of the external surface 126 that is positioned to cover the adhesive portion (i.e., the portion of the external surface 126 excluding a perimeter flange). In some configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 28 cm² to about 116 cm². In some configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 21 cm² to about 174 cm². In some configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 14 cm² to about 232 cm². In some configurations, total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 7 cm² to about 28 cm². In some configurations, total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 5 cm² to about 40 cm². In some configurations, total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 4 cm² to about 56 cm². In one example configuration, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 80 cm² and the total collective size of the openings 132 can be about 14 cm². As such, in that configuration, the surface area of the external face 184 can be about 5.7 times the total collective size of the openings 132. In other configurations, the surface area of the external face 184 can be less than 5 times the total collective size of the openings 132 or the surface area of the external face 184 can be greater than 6 times the total collective size of the openings. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the external face 184 needs to have sufficient area to serve as a landing area for the insect. Through observations it has been determined that an insect typically first lands on the external face 184. Once landed, it then eventually crawls through an opening 132 to access the front cavity 188. As such, providing for sufficient landing area on the outside of the shell 122 can improve efficacy of the insect trapping device 100. The total collective size of the openings 132 can be sized as to create a sufficiently enclosed volume in which insect is retained within until contact is made with the adhesive portion 152.

The front housing 124 may be convex and spaced apart from the rear housing 128 at the bottom of the shell 122 such that they collectively define a bottom opening 134 (FIG. 2). The bottom of the shell 122 or insert 150 is determined when the shell 122 or insert 150 is oriented as it would be during use by a consumer to attract and capture the insects. The opposing sides of the bottom opening 134 may be tapered, grooved, or otherwise configured to aid in proper alignment of the insert 150 as it is slid into the shell 122 by a user. A top portion 121 of the shell 122 may be substantially or wholly closed (as shown by way of a non-limiting example in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3A depicts the insert 150 being inserted into the shell 122, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 3A taken along line 3B— 3B subsequent to the insertion of the insert 150. The insert 150 can comprise a frame 166 to which an adhesive portion 152 is attached or otherwise formed therewith. Once inserted into the shell 122, the adhesive portion 152 divides the shell 122 into the front cavity 188 and a rear cavity 174. The rear cavity 174 is defined by the rear face 156 of the adhesive portion 152 and an inner surface 131 of the rear housing 128 while the front cavity 188 is defined by the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 and an internal face 133 of the front housing 124. Once the insert 150 is positioned within the shell 122, the cartridge 118 can be engaged with the base 102. FIG. 4 depicts the cartridge 118 of FIG. 3 A being coupled to the base 102. The rear cavity 174 can be devoid of openings, with the exception of the bottom opening which is effectively sealed to the ambient environment when the cartridge 118 is coupled to the base 102. If a heated element is utilized as a lure, this arrangement of the rear cavity 174 can limit heat loss from the rear cavity 174 due to convection to the ambient environment when the insect trapping device 100 is in use. By comparison, the front cavity 188 includes one or more openings 132 to allow insects to enter the front cavity 188, thereby exposing that cavity to the ambient environment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the adhesive portion 152 immobilizes insects that enter the insect trapping device 100 through one of the openings 132 of the shell 122 and contact the adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive portion 152 comprises an adhesive (or an adhesive composition comprising an adhesive), wherein the adhesive or adhesive composition is coated on or otherwise applied to or incorporated in or on a substrate. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive is an acrylic polymer, butyl rubber, natural rubber, nitrile, silicone, styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene/propylene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, and/or vinyl ether adhesive or mixture thereof, for example. The substrate may be provided in a wide variety of forms, such as a film, a woven or a non-woven (including papers). In some embodiments, the substrate is in the form of a film comprising one or more polymers, such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terepthalate (PET) or polypropylene. The substrate may comprise one or more layers. Generally, the thickness of the adhesive portion 152 may be in the range of about 0.01 mm to about 5 mm. In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm to about 1.0 mm. The surface area of the adhesive portion 152 can be between about 25 cm² and about 150 cm². The adhesive portion 152 can comprise a transparent or translucent adhesive or adhesive composition coated onto a transparent or translucent substrate (such as a film, for example). A releasable liner can be applied to the adhesive portion 152 that is to cover the adhesive portion 152 prior to use. A user can peel away the releasable liner to expose the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 immediately prior to inserting the insert 150 into the shell 122, for instance.

While the insert 150 is shown to include a frame 166 completely surrounding the adhesive portion 152, this disclosure is not so limited. For instance, the frame 166 may only extend partially around the adhesive portion 152. In one example configuration, the frame 166 may extend along a first vertical side of the adhesive portion 152, across the top of the adhesive portion 152, and down the second vertical side of the adhesive portion 152. In such configuration, the bottom edge of the adhesive portion 152 is unframed. In other configurations, the insert 150 can be frameless, with the adhesive portion 152 applied at least to a central portion of a substrate, with the substrate providing sufficient structural rigidity. Further, the adhesive portion 152 can be planar, as shown, or have other suitable configurations, such as curved, for instance. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B, the outer perimeter of the frame 166 may be shaped similarly to the shell 122.

In some configurations, the insert 150 has a reservoir 176 for storing an insect attracting composition. The insect attracting composition can be provided in a wide variety of forms, including gases, liquids, solids and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the insect attracting composition may be provided in the form of a solid composition comprising one or more agents attractive to an insect. Solid compositions also include semi- solid compositions such as gels, which comprise one or more liquids and one or more gelling agents. The gelling agents may facilitate the formation of a cross-linked network within the insect attracting composition. The reservoir 176 may also serve to catch fallen insects, such as the insects that were originally immobilized by the adhesive portion 152 but are no longer sufficiently retained by the adhesive portion 152 after drying and becoming brittle. The reservoir 176 may be defined by a front wall 180 (FIG. 2) and a rear wall 182, with the front wall 180 defining at least part of an opening of the reservoir 176. The front wall 180 may be integrally formed with the frame 166. The reservoir 176 may have a depth of about 1 mm and about 30 mm, a width from about 10 mm to about 100 mm, and a height from about 1 mm to about 50 mm. The reservoir 176 can have a volume between about 1 cm³ and 60 cm³. The reservoir 176 can be positioned such that once the insert 150 is engaged with the shell 122 and the shell 122 is engaged with the base 102, the insect attracting composition may evaporate or disperse through the openings 132. Reservoirs in accordance with the present disclosure, such as reservoir 176, may be made as one piece, including its rear wall 182, which is then attached to the frame 166. Alternatively, reservoirs, including its rear wall, may be integrally formed with the frame from the same material, such as by an injection molding or thermoforming process. The adhesive portion 152 may terminate adjacent the reservoir opening or may downwardly extend past the reservoir opening and across the rear wall 182 of the reservoir 176. Since the insect attracting composition within the reservoir 176 may evaporate during use, it is advantageous that the reservoir 176 is coupled to the adhesive portion 152 so that both components can be replaceable simultaneously. Furthermore, due to the placement of the reservoir 176 relative to the adhesive portion 152, the reservoir 176 can be received into the base so as to not block surface area of the adhesive portion 152. This arrangement maximizes the surface area of the adhesive portion 152 for trapping insects.

In other configurations, the insert 150 may not include a reservoir 176. In yet other configurations, the insert 150 does not include a reservoir 176, and the adhesive portions 152 are positioned on both the front and rear faces of the insert 150. In such configurations, once the front face 154 of the adhesive portion 152 has immobilized a sufficient number of insects, the user may remove the insert 150 from the shell 122, rotate the insert 150, and re-insert the insert 150 into the shell 122. In this position, the rear face of the insert 150 is positioned proximate to the openings 132 and can then be used to immobilize insects entering the shell.

As shown in FIG. 3 A, the insert 150 may be selectively inserted into to the shell 122 by a user to prepare the cartridge 118 for attachment to the base 102. In some configurations, the insert 150 may be mechanically engaged with the shell 122 when the insert 150 is fully seated with the shell 122, such as through interlocking features or a friction- fit, for instance. Example configurations for inserts and shells are provided in patent application serial no. PCT/US16/41811, entitled HEATING INSECT TRAPPING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF and filed on July 11, 2016 and patent application serial no. PCT/US16/41812, entitled INSECT TRAPPING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF and filed on July 11, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In some example configurations, the cartridge 118 also comprises a downwardly depending tab 164. The downwardly depending tab 164 can be positioned on the insert 150 or on the shell 122. A switch (not shown) is positioned on the base 102 that receives the downwardly depending tab 164 when the cartridge 118 engages the base 102. The switch in the base 102 can function to operate one or more electrically energized insect lures (i.e., the electric heating element 110, the light source 114, etc.), so that such insect lures can only be energized when the cartridge 118 is engaged to the base 102. As such, when the cartridge 118 is removed from the base 102, the switch is deactivated and power is removed from the insect lures.

To couple the cartridge 118 to the base 102 to prepare the insect trapping device 100 for use, the cartridge 118 is lowered over a shroud 108 (FIG. 4), such that the shroud 108 is received into the rear cavity 174 (FIG. 3B) of the shell 122 through the bottom opening 134 (FIG. 2) and positioned between a rear face of the adhesive portion 152 and an inner surface of the rear housing 128. The shroud 108 is an upstanding portion extending upward from the base 102 that envelops the electric heating element 110. The relative positioning and alignment of the cartridge 118 to the base 102 during coupling can be assisted by the shroud 108, as the shroud 108 can serve to properly guide the cartridge 118 onto the base 102. Further, the receiving of the shroud 108 into the shell 122 during coupling also helps assure proper alignment of the downwardly depending tab 164 with a switch positioned in the base 102. A portion of the base 102 may be received into the shell 122 to mechanically engage the cartridge 118 to the base 102. Such engagement may utilize a friction-fit connection, or other suitable type of connection, such as utilizing a clip, latch, magnet, or detent, for example, to maintain the coupling between the shell 122 and the base 102 until the user wishes to decouple the cartridge 118 and the base 102. Once the cartridge 118 is affixed to the base 102, the insect trapping device 100 can then be operated to attract and immobilize insects.

The front housing 124 can have an external face 184 and internal face 133 (FIG. 3B). In accordance with the present disclosure, at least a portion of the external face 184 can comprise a roughened portion to assist flying insects, such as mosquitoes, with landing on the front housing 124. As provided in more detail below, it has been observed that a certain amount of surface roughness promotes mosquitoes landing on the external face 184 of the front housing 124. Observation of mosquito behavior revealed that mosquitoes approaching an insect trapping device from the air rarely fly directly through one of the openings. Instead, it was observed that typical mosquito behavior is to first land on a suitable landing spot on the exterior of the shell. Subsequent to landing on the exterior of the shell, mosquitoes may then walk on the exterior face to one of the openings, surface conditions permitting, and eventually enter the shell through one of the openings. It was determined that an external face having at least a certain amount of roughness provided a suitable landing spot, as mosquitoes did not land on smooth surfaces of the insect trapping devices under observation. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that mosquitoes can land easier on rough surfaces, or areas having non-planar structural features, due to the anatomy of their legs. By comparison, other flying insects (such as houseflies), can easily land on smooth surfaces, such as glass and smooth plastics.

Turning now to an alternative cartridge configuration, FIGS. 5A-7 depict an example cartridge 218 that has an adhesive portion non-removably positioned inside the cartridge. As such, the cartridge may be affixed to a base of an insect trapping device, and then subsequent to use, the entire cartridge may be removed and disposed of by the user. A fresh cartridge may then be affixed to the base and operation of the insect trapping device can be resumed. FIGS. 5A-5B depict isometric views of an example cartridge 218 which may be used with the base depicted in FIG. 7. FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the cartridge 218 to illustrate one example configuration of an adhesive portion 252 and a reservoir 276. The reservoir 276 can be similar to the reservoir 276 described above with respect to insert 150. It is noted, however, that some configurations do not include the reservoir 276. The cartridge 218 can be similar to or the same in many respects as the cartridge 118. For example, a front housing 224 of the cartridge 218 can define one or more openings 232 for receiving a flying or crawling insect such that they will come in contact with a front surface 254 of the adhesive portion 252. The front housing 224 of the cartridge 218 can have an external face 284. At least a portion of the external face 284 can comprise a roughened portion to assist flying insects, such as mosquitoes, with landing on the front housing 224. The adhesive portion 252 of cartridge 218, however, is non-removably positioned between the front housing 224 and a rear housing 228 and divides the interior of the cartridge into a front cavity 288 and a rear cavity 274, as shown in FIG. 8. The front housing 224 and the rear housing 228 and/or the adhesive portion 252 can be coupled using any suitable technique, such as ultrasonic welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like. Alternatively, the front housing 224 and the rear housing 228 can be a unitary structure formed by injection molding, for example. As shown in FIG. 5B, the rear housing 228 can be convex and spaced apart from a rear face 256 of the adhesive portion 252 at the bottom of cartridge 218 such that they collectively define a bottom opening 234. The cartridge 218 can further include a downwardly depending tab 264 to engage a switch on a base 202 (FIG. 10).

FIG. 7 illustrates the cartridge 218 being coupled to the base 202. FIG. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the cartridge 218 (FIG. 7) and the base 202 taken through at the geometric center of a shroud 208 subsequent to the coupling of the cartridge 218 to the base 202. The base 202 can be similar to or the same in many respects as the base 102. For example, the base 202 can include the shroud 208 having a front surface 204 (FIG. 8) that is positioned proximate to a metal plate 258. A planar front surface 261 of a PTC heating element 260 can be coupled to the metal plate 258, such that when the PTC heating element 260 is activated, the metal plate 258 is heated. In this configuration, the PTC heating element 260 is held to the metal plate 258 via a clip 211.

As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the shroud 208 can be received through the bottom opening 234 of the cartridge 218 and into the rear cavity 274 of the cartridge 218, the rear cavity 274 being defined by the rear face 256 of the adhesive portion 252 and an inner surface 231 of the rear housing 228. A front cavity 288 is defined between the front face 254 of the adhesive portion 252 and the internal face 233 of the front housing 224.

Once the cartridge 218 is fully seated, the adhesive portion 252 will be positioned adjacent the shroud 208. An inner cavity 262 is defined between the rear face 256 of the adhesive portion 252 and the front surface 204 of the shroud 208. The inner cavity 262 is part of the rear cavity 274. The rear cavity 274, the front cavity 288, and the inner cavity 262 can be warmed by the heat generated by the PTC heating element 260 during operation, although the rear cavity 274 will typically be hotter than the front cavity 288. LEDs 216 are positioned within the inner cavity 262, such that, when activated they illuminate the rear surface 256 of the adhesive portion 252 and the front surface 204 of the shroud 208. Similar to the front surface 104 described above, the front surface 204 of the shroud 208 can include roughened portions to aid in light distribution within the inner cavity 262. During operation, insects enter the front cavity 288 through the openings 232 in the front housing 224.

For comparison of mosquito landing data based on surface roughness, observational mosquito landing data was collected for insect trapping devices having varying levels of surface roughness. The surface roughness of each insect trapping device was measured in accordance with the Surface Texture Analysis, described in detail below. Table 1 provides surface roughness data (Sq, μηι), in accordance with ISO 25178, for sample insect trapping devices:

Table 1

Samples 1 and 3-5 were each placed in individual test enclosures that each consisted of a mesh enclosure 6 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet in size. The enclosures were equipped with a 4 foot high by 3 foot wide section of vertical wallboard placed diagonally across 1 corner of the enclosure on a wooden base. The wallboard section contained a vertically mounted 12 V power strip such that the bottom of the power strip was 8 to 9 inches from the bottom of the wallboard. The test enclosures were placed in windowless rooms and the bottom perimeter was sealed with duct tape. The rooms were continuously measured to have an average temperature of 24 °C and an average relative humidity of 47%. Four vertical floor lamps were placed around the outside of the enclosures to provide lighting with each lamp having a single 800-900 lumen CFL bulb which was kept on for the duration of the test. The mosquito trapping devices comprised a base having disposed therein 2 blue LEDs and an ultraviolet LED. Replaceable cartridges comprising an adhesive for trapping the mosquitoes and the described mosquito attractant composition engaged the bases.

Mosquitoes were reared according to protocols known in the art. Specifically, adult Adedes Aegypti mosquitoes were held at 27 °C under long day lengths with free access to 10% sucrose and water ad libitum. Females (two weeks after adult emergence) were allowed access to a bloodmeal with a Hemotek blood feeding system. Females were collected two to three days after blood feeding and moved into a small plastic container half filled with water and a small pinch of ground fish food. Eggs were dried for one week before being placing in the small container. After one day, 100-120 larvae were counted and placed into a large plastic container half filled with water. Each day excess ground fish food was added to ensure that the larvae had food for development. Pupae were collected in small emergence cups and placed within 12" by 12" by 12" cages (Bioquip 1450BS). Adults were utilized 12 to 20 days post ecdysis.

After the start of the test, 50 female mosquitoes were released into the tent. During the test, video footage was captured of the insect trapping devices. Still images taken from the video footage showing representative landing events on Sample 1 are shown in FIG. 9A-9C, still images taken from the video footage showing representative landing events on Sample 2 are shown in FIG. 10A-10D, still images taken from the video footage showing representative landing events on Sample 3 are shown in FIG. 11A-11D, still images taken from the video footage showing representative landing events on Sample 4 are shown in FIG. 12A-12B, and still images taken from the video footage showing representative landing events on Sample 5 are shown in FIG. 13A-13D.

Table 2, below, summarizes whether landing events occurred on the external face of the sample insect devices. Images of exemplary landing events are provided in the figures identified in Table 2.

Table 2 illustrates that the surface roughness of the sample impacted whether there were landing events on the external surface of the insect trapping device. More specifically, Table 2 illustrates that landing events only occurred when a surface roughness of the external face of the insect trapping device is above a certain level, as mosquitoes did not land on that smooth external face.

Referring first to FIGS. 9A-9C, images of landing events on an insect trapping device (Sample 1) having a surface roughness (Sq) of 1.0 μιη ±0.3 are shown. Each of the images shows that mosquitoes choose to land on a perimeter flange of the shell, as opposed to landing on the external face of the insect trapping device. The front housing and the rear housing of the insect trapping device show in FIGS. 9A-9C join at the perimeter flange, which creates a seam. The external face of the front housing also meets the perimeter flange at an angle, creating an inside corner. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that perimeter flange provided a suitable landing area for the mosquitoes due to its structural geometry. Based on the observational data, and without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that surface roughness (Sq) of 1.0 μηι ±0.3 of the external face of Sample 1 was too smooth to serve as a suitable landing surface for the mosquitoes, which is why the mosquitoes instead landed on perimeter flange.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10D, images of an insect trapping device (Sample 2) having a surface roughness (Sq) of 2.7 μιη ±0.4 are shown. Each of the images shows mosquito landing events on the external face of the insect trapping device. Notably, the front housing and the rear housing of the insect trapping device shown in FIGS. 10A-10D join at the perimeter flange, which, similar to Sample 1, creates a seam and structural features conducive for providing purchase to a mosquito. Nevertheless, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10D, mosquitoes landed on the planar external face of Sample 2 instead of the perimeter flange. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that with a surface roughness of 2.7 μιη ±0.4, the external face provided a suitable landing area for the mosquitoes due to its surface texture.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11D, images of an insect trapping device (Sample 3) having a surface roughness (Sq) of 4.4 μιη ±0.1 are shown. Each of the images shows mosquito landing events on the external face of the insect trapping device. Notably, the front housing and the rear housing of the insect trapping device shown in FIGS. 11A-11D join at the perimeter flange, which, similar to Sample 1, creates a seam and structural features conducive for providing purchase to a mosquito. Nevertheless, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D, mosquitoes landed on the planar external face of Sample 3 instead of the perimeter flange. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that with a surface roughness of 4.4 μιη ±0.1, the external face provided a suitable landing area for the mosquitoes due to its surface texture.

Referring next to FIGS. 12A-12B, images of an insect trapping device (Sample 4) having a surface roughness (Sq) of 5.5 μιη ±0.8 are shown. Sample 4 was produced by sanding the external surface of an insect trapping device similar to Sample 1 in order to increase the surface roughness. Both of the images show mosquito landing events on the external face of the insect trapping device. The front housing and the rear housing of the insect trapping device shown in FIGS. 12A-12D join at the perimeter flange, which creates a seam and structural features conducive for providing purchase to a mosquito. Nevertheless, mosquitoes landed on the external face of Sample 4 instead of the perimeter flange. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that with a surface roughness of 5.5 μιη ±0.8, the external face provided a suitable landing area for the mosquitoes due to its surface texture.

Referring finally to FIGS. 13A-13D, images of an insect trapping device (Sample 5) having a surface roughness (Sq) of 37 μιη ±5 are shown. Sample 5 has a cartridge produced through Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) manufacturing process. All of the images show landing events on the external face of Sample 5. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that external face provided a suitable landing area for the mosquitoes due to its surface roughness 37 μιη ±5.

As provided above, Samples 2-5 were observed to have more landing events on an external face of the insect trapping device that Sample 1. In view of the observations, insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 2.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 2.5 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 3.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 3.5 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 4.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 4.5 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 5.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 5.5 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 6.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness greater than about 35.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness of about 2.7 μιη, about 4.4 μιη, about 5.5 μιη, or about 37 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.0 μηι to about 37 μηι. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.0 μιη to about 10 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.0 μιη to about 6.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.0 μιη to about 5.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.0 μιη to about 4.0 μιη.

Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.5 μιη to about 37 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.5 μιη to about 10 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.5 μιη to about 6.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.5 μιη to about 5.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.5 μιη to about 4.0 μιη.

Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 3.5 μιη to about 10.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 4.0 μιη to about 10.0 μιη. Some insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure can include a roughened portion of an external face that has a surface roughness within the range of about 2.7 μιη to about 37 μιη.

While the external faces of Samples 1-5 has generally uniform roughness across the entire surface area of the external face, this disclosure is not so limited. In some configurations, for instance, less than 100% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above. In some configurations, less than 80% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above. In some configurations, less than 60% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above. In some configurations, less than 40% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above. In some configurations, less than 20% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above. In some configurations, less than 15% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above. In some configurations, less than 10% but more than 1% of the external face has a surface roughness above one of the thresholds provided above.

For configurations having less than 100% of the external face being roughened, the placement of the roughened portion can vary. The roughened portion can be contiguous or include separate localized areas of surface roughness. In some configurations, roughened portions are provided that circumferentially surround an opening on the front wall. These portions can either partially surround the perimeter of the opening or completely surround the surround the perimeter of the opening. Further, the roughened portion can radially extend outward from the opening, thereby providing a path of travel from portions of the external face to the opening. In some configurations, at least a portion of the roughened portion extends at least 3 mm or at last 6 mm radially outward from the opening. In some configurations, a portion of the external face positioned between two adjacent openings is roughened. In some configurations, the external face has a relatively large landing area that is devoid of openings. The landing area may be positioned, for example, between the openings and a bottom edge of the external face. The landing area may be roughened in accordance with the present disclosure.

In some configurations, the roughened portion can include a plurality of individually roughened patches that are distributed about the external face. The relative size, placement, and relative roughness of the roughened patches may vary. For instance, a relatively large roughened patch may be positioned on the portion of the external face having a particularly large surface area (i.e., an area devoid of openings). Relatively small roughened patches may be positioned on the portions of the external face having particularly small surface areas, such as an area of the external face between two adjacent openings, or an area of the external face between an opening and a perimeter flange. In any event, the roughened portion of the insect trapping device can generally function as a landing zone, detectable by mosquitoes and providing a place for them to land on the external face of the insect trapping device.

Furthermore, in order to increase the number of landing events, other portions of the insect trapping device may be roughened. In some configurations, for instance at least a portion of a rear surface of a rear housing may include a roughened portion (such as the rear surface 130 of the rear housing 128) and/or an exterior surface of the base can be roughened (such as portions of the base 102 and/or base 202). Further, at least a portion of an internal face of the internal face of the front housing can include surface roughness (such as internal face 133 of the front housing 124).

Surface roughness can be provided on insect trapping devices in accordance with the present disclosure through any of a variety of suitable processes. For instance, an injection molding process or a thermoform process can be utilized. Molds utilized to create the components of the insect trapping device can form the necessary surface roughness through surface features on the molds. Other example manufacturing processes that can provide the requisite surface roughness include additive manufacturing processes. Additionally or alternatively, subsequent to a molding or printing process, components of an insect trapping device can be roughened, such as through a mechanical abrasion process and/or a chemical abrasion process to bring the surface roughness of portions(s) of the insect trapping device within the desired surface roughness parameters described herein.

Surface Roughness (Sq) Test Method

The microscale areal surface roughness parameter Sq (root mean square height) as described in ISO 25178-2:2012 is used to characterize the surface roughness of the front wall over a given surface area. Microscale surface roughness of the front wall of test samples is determined using a 3D Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (one suitable 3D Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope is the Keyence VK-X200, commercially available from Keyence Corporation of America, Itasca, IL, USA). The microscope is interfaced with a computer running a measuring, control, and surface texture analysis software (suitable software programs include the Keyence VK Viewer version 2.4.1.0, and the Keyence MultiFile Analyzer version 1.1.14.62; and the Keyence VK Analyzer version 4.3.4.0.1, all commercially available from Keyence Corporation of America, Itasca, IL, USA ). The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's specifications. The 3D Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope is used in accordance with ISO 25178-2:2012 to collect topographic surface height data over given surface areas of test sample specimens, and produce maps of surface height (i.e., z-directional or z-axis) versus displacement in the x-y plane. Each surface map is analyzed in accordance with ISO 25178-2:2012 and ISO 25178- 3:2012, from which the areal surface texture parameter Sq, is calculated. The units of the reported Sq value are micrometers (μιη).

Images are collected using a lOx magnification objective lens provided by the instrument manufacturer, to yield a captured image Field of View (FoV) of approximately 1.4 mm x 1 mm with an x-y resolution of approximately 1.4 micrometers/pixel. The microscope is programmed to collect the surface height (z-direction) image data of the FoV using a z-step size of 2 μιη, over a height range that is sufficient to capture all peaks and valleys within the given FoV. Surface height image data are acquired by following the instrument manufacturer's recommended measurement procedures, which may include using the following settings: Real Peak Detection (RPD) set to on; Zoom set to 1.0; Laser Intensity (Brightness and ND filter) set to auto gain; double scan not used; Mode set to Surface Profile; Area set to Standard (1024 x 768) pixels; Quality set to High-Accuracy; and Z-pitch (z-step) set to 2 μιη and used with RPD set to Smaller (for maximum laser intensity calculation). The configuration of settings may achieve a z-resolution of approximately 0.5 nm.

The data set from the entire image of each captured FoV is analyzed to determine the Sq value of the surface area in that image. In accordance with the filtration processes recommended in ISO 25178-2:2012 and ISO 25178-2:2012, the following filtering procedure is performed on each image: 1) a Gaussian low pass S-filter with a nesting index (cut-off) of 5 μιη and utilizing end effect correction; 2) an F-operation of sec. curved surface (whole area of the image is selected for F-operation); and 3) a Gaussian high pass L-filter is not used. This filtering procedure produces the surface from which the Sq value is calculated.

Insect trap devices for analysis are prepared by choosing fifteen FoV locations to be imaged on the external face of the front wall of each device. The fifteen locations are divided between three different specified zones, wherein each zone yields a cluster of five FoV locations. FoV locations are selected such that presence of external face curvature within the fields imaged is minimized. Each FoV location excludes any visually obvious macroscopic feature of the external face such as an: opening, flange, rim, ridge, groove, edge, corners, or curve that comprises less than a 20 mm macroscopic radius of curvature. For each FoV, the sample is mounted on the microscope stage such that the surface area to be imaged is as parallel as possible to the bottom of the objective lens. Within each of the three zones, the five replicate FoV are located within a region comprising 10 mm x 10 mm spans. The FoV are selected such that they are representative of the respective zones and are non-overlapping, however some or all of the five FOV within a given zone may be directly contiguous. The three zones specified comprise: a first front opening zone which surrounds an opening in the front face, a second front opening zone which is located between two or more adjacent openings in the front face, and a landing area zone which is located between a front opening and a bottom edge of the front face.

For illustration purposes FIG. 14 depicts an example insect trapping device 300 with a shell 322 having a front wall 380 that has an external surface 326. The external surface 326 has first front opening zone 350, a second front opening zone 368, and a landing area zone 370.

The first front opening zone 350 is shown to be ring-shaped and circumferentially surround a front opening 332 having a rim 334. The first front opening zone is bounded by an inner boundary 354 and an outer boundary 352. A first front opening zone has a width (shown as "W") defined by a straight-line linear distance between the inner boundary 354 and the outer boundary 352 as measured perpendicular to the inner boundary and the outer boundary. The width of the first front opening zone is at least 2 mm. The inner boundary 354 may be the rim 334, or the inner boundary may be offset from the rim 334, as shown, to exclude visually obvious macroscopic feature of the external face 326.

The second front opening zone 368 is positioned on the external face 326 between a first opening 360 and a second opening 362. The first opening 360 has a first rim 364 and the second opening 362 as a second rim 366. As shown in FIG. 14, the second front opening zone 368 is positioned between a portion of the first rim 364 and a portion of the second rim 366. The second front opening zone 368 can be at least partially bounded by the portion of the first rim 364 and the portion of the second rim 366, or the second front opening zone 368 may be offset from the first rim 334 and the second rim 362, as shown, to exclude visually obvious macroscopic feature of the external face 326.

The landing area zone 370 is positioned between the front openings 332 and a bottom edge of the front wall 380 (shown as bottom edge 280, FIG. 5 A). The landing area zone 370 is substantially planar and excludes visually obvious macroscopic feature of the external face 326. An Sq value is reported for each of the three specified zones. For each of the three zones, the Sq value reported is the largest Sq value measured from the five replicate FoVs measured within that given zone. Further Non- Limiting Description of the Disclosure

The following numbered paragraphs constitute a further non-limiting description of the disclosure in a form suitable for appending to the claim section if later desired.

1. An insect trapping device, comprising:

a mosquito lure;

a base and a cartridge releaseably engaging the base, the cartridge comprising a substantially vertical front wall defining a front opening for receiving a flying or crawling insect, and the cartridge comprising an adhesive portion for trapping the insect, the adhesive portion having a front face and a rear face; wherein

the front wall has an external face and an internal face, the external face comprising a roughened portion and the internal face positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages the base; and

the roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than about 2.0 μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178-2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein.

2. An insect trapping device according to example 1, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is greater than 2.5 μιη, 3.0 μιη, 3.5 μιη, 4.0 μιη, 4.5 μιη, 5.0 μιη, 5.5 μιη, 6.0 μιη, 6.5 μιη, 7.0 μιη, 8.5 μιη, 9.0 μιη, or 10 μιη.

3. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.0 μιη to 37 μιη.

4. An insect trapping device according to example 3, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.0 μιη to 6 μιη.

5. An insect trapping device according to example 3, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.7 μιη to 37 μιη. 6. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the external face has a surface area, wherein the roughened portion has a surface area, and wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is less than or equal to the surface area of the external face. 7. An insect trapping device according to example 6, wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is less than the surface area of the external face.

8. An insect trapping device according to example 7, wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the surface area of the external face. 9. An insect trapping device according to example 6, wherein the front opening defines an area and the surface area of the external face is greater than the area of the front opening.

10. An insect trapping device according to example 9, wherein the area of the front opening is in the range of 4 cm² to 56 cm² to and the surface area of the external face is in the range of 14 cm² to 232 cm².

11. An insect trapping device according to example 9, wherein the surface area of the external face is 3 to 9 times greater than the area of the front opening.

12. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising prongs insertable into an electric socket extending outward from the base. 13. An insect trapping device according to example 12, wherein the prongs extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the front wall when the cartridge engages the base.

14. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the external face has a first front opening zone surrounding the front opening, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the first front opening zone.

15. An insect trapping device according to example 14, wherein the front opening has a rim, wherein first front opening zone is ring-shaped and circumferentially surrounds the front opening and is bounded by inner boundary and an outer boundary, and wherein the first front opening zone has a width (W) defined by a distance between the inner boundary and the outer boundary measured perpendicular to the inner boundary and an outer boundary.

16. An insect trapping device according to example 15, wherein the width of the first front opening zone is greater than 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm. 17. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 15 or 16, wherein the inner boundary is the rim.

18. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 15 or 16, wherein the inner boundary is offset away from the rim by an offset distance, and wherein the inner boundary is positioned between the outer boundary and the rim. 19. An insect trapping device according to example 18, wherein the offset distance is between 1 mm and 3 mm.

20. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the front opening comprises a plurality of openings comprising a first opening positioned on the front wall that is adjacent to a second opening, wherein external face has a second front opening zone, wherein the second front opening zone is positioned on the external face between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the second front opening zone.

21. An insect trapping device according to example 20, wherein the first opening has a first rim and the second opening as a second rim, and wherein the second front opening zone is positioned between a portion of the first rim and a portion of the second rim.

22. An insect trapping device according to example 21, wherein the second front opening zone is at least partially bounded by the portion of the first rim and the portion of the second rim.

23. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the front wall comprises a landing area zone positioned between the front opening and a bottom edge of the front wall, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the landing area zone. 24. An insect trapping device according to example 23, wherein the landing area zone is substantially planar.

25. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the roughened portion comprises two or more separate roughened areas that are disposed on the external face.

26. An insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein a portion of the internal face has an internal offset distance from the face of the adhesive portion of less than 7 mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone of the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages, wherein the central measurement zone is one of the central measurement zones determined by the Measurement Test Method.

27. An insect trapping device, comprising:

a base comprising an upstanding shroud having a front surface, the shroud having disposed therein an electric heating element for heating the front surface of the shroud;

prongs extending from the base, the prongs insertable into an electric socket;

a mosquito lure;

a cartridge releaseably engaging the base, the cartridge defining a bottom opening through which the shroud passes when the cartridge engages the base, the cartridge comprising a front wall defining a front opening for receiving a flying or crawling insect, and the cartridge comprising an adhesive portion for trapping the insect, the adhesive portion having a front face and a rear face; wherein

the front wall has an external face and an internal face, the external face comprising a roughened portion and the internal face positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages the base, and

the roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than 2.0 μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178- 2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein. 28. An insect trapping device according to example 27, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is greater than 2.5 μιη, 3.0 μιη, 3.5 μιη, 4.0 μιη, 4.5 μιη, 5.0 μιη, 5.5 μιη, 6.0 μιη, 6.5 μιη, 7.0 μιη, 8.5 μm, 9.0 μιη, or 10 μm.

29. An insect trapping device according to example 27, wherein parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.0 μιη to 37 μιη.

30. An insect trapping device according to example 29, wherein parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.0 μιη to 6 μιη.

31. An insect trapping device according to example 29, wherein parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.7 μιη to 37 μιη. 32. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 27 to 31, wherein the external face has a surface area, wherein the roughened portion has a surface area, and wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is less than or equal to the surface area of the external face.

33. An insect trapping device according to example 32, wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is less than the surface area of the external face.

34. An insect trapping device according to example 33, wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is more than 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the surface area of the external face.

35. An insect trapping device according to example 32, wherein the front opening defines an area and the surface area of the external face is greater than the area of the front opening.

36. An insect trapping device according to example 35, wherein the area of the front opening is in the range of 4 cm² to 56 cm² to and the surface area of the external face is in the range of 14 cm² to 232 cm². 37. An insect trapping device according to example 35, wherein the surface area of the external face is 3 to 9 times greater than the area of the front opening. 38. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 27 to 37, wherein the external face has a first front opening zone surrounding the front opening, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the first front opening zone.

39. An insect trapping device according to example 38, wherein the front opening has a rim, wherein first front opening zone is ring-shaped and circumferentially surrounds the front opening and is bounded by inner boundary and an outer boundary, and wherein the first front opening zone has a width defined by a distance between the inner boundary and an outer boundary measured perpendicular to the inner boundary and an outer boundary.

40. An insect trapping device according to example 39, wherein the width of the first front opening zone is greater than 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm.

41. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 38 or 39, wherein the inner boundary is the rim.

42. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 38 or 39, wherein the inner boundary is offset away from the rim by an offset distance, and wherein the inner boundary is positioned between the outer boundary and the rim.

43. An insect trapping device according to example 42, wherein the offset distance is between 1 mm and 3 mm.

44. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 27 to 43, wherein the front opening comprises a plurality of openings comprising a first opening positioned on the front wall that is adjacent to a second opening, wherein external face has a second front opening zone, wherein the second front opening zone is positioned on the external face between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the second front opening zone.

45. An insect trapping device according to example 44, wherein the first opening has a first rim and the second opening as a second rim, and wherein the second front opening zone is positioned between a portion of the first rim and a portion of the second rim.

46. An insect trapping device according to example 45, wherein the second front opening zone is at least partially bounded by the portion of the first rim and the portion of the second rim. 47. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 27 to 46, wherein the front wall comprises a landing area zone positioned between the front opening and a bottom edge of the front wall, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the landing area zone. 48. An insect trapping device according to example 47, wherein the landing area zone is substantially planar.

49. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 27 to 48, wherein the roughened portion comprises two or more separate roughened areas disposed on the external face. 50. An insect trapping device according to any one of examples 27 to 49, wherein a portion of the internal face has an internal offset distance from the face of the adhesive portion of less than 7 mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone of the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages, wherein the central measurement zone is one of the central measurement zones determined by the Measurement Test Method.

51. A method of trapping flying insects, comprising:

connecting an flying insect trap to a power source, the flying insect trap having a base comprising an electric heating element for heating a portion of the flying insect trap and a cartridge, the cartridge comprising a front wall defining a front opening for receiving a flying insect, the cartridge comprising an adhesive portion for trapping the flying insect, the adhesive portion having a front face, wherein the front wall has an external face comprising a roughened portion, and the roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than 2.0 μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178-2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein;

subsequent to the heating of a portion of the insect trap, receiving a flying insect onto the roughened portion of the external face; and

subsequent to the flying insect crawling on the external face and through the front opening, capturing the flying insect on the adhesive portion. 52. A method according to example 51, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is greater than 2.5 μιη, 3.0 μηι, 3.5 μιη, 4.0 μιη, 4.5 μιη, 5.0 μιη, 5.5 μιη, 6.0 μιη, 6.5 μιη, 7.0 μιη, 8.5 μιη, 9.0 μm, or 10 μηι.

53. A method according to example 51, wherein parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.0 μιη to 37 μιη.

54. A method according to example 53, wherein parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.0 μιη to 6 μιη.

55. A method according to example 53, wherein parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2.7 μιη to 37 μιη. 56. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 55, wherein connecting the insect trap to the power source comprises:

plugging the insect trap into a power outlet.

57. A method according to example 56, wherein the power outlet is positioned on a wall above a floor. 58. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 57, wherein the front wall defines a plurality of front openings, and wherein the roughened portion at least partially surrounds each of the plurality of front openings.

59. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 58, further comprising: subsequent to capturing flying insects on the adhesive portion, removing the adhesive portion from the cartridge; and

inserting an un-used adhesive portion into the cartridge.

60. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 59, wherein the external face has a first front opening zone surrounding the front opening, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the first front opening zone. 61. A method according to example 60, wherein the front opening has a rim, wherein first front opening zone is ring-shaped and circumferentially surrounds the front opening and is bounded by inner boundary and an outer boundary, and wherein the first front opening zone has a width defined by a distance between the inner boundary and an outer boundary measured perpendicular to the inner boundary and an outer boundary.

62. A method according to example 61, wherein the width of the first front opening zone is greater than 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm. 63. The method according to any one of examples 60 or 61, wherein the inner boundary is the rim.

64. A method according to any one of examples 60 or 61, wherein the inner boundary is offset away from the rim by an offset distance, and wherein the inner boundary is positioned between the outer boundary and the rim. 65. A method according to example 64, wherein the offset distance is between 1 mm and 3 mm.

66. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 65, wherein the front opening comprises a plurality of openings comprising a first opening positioned on the front wall that is adjacent to a second opening, wherein external face has a second front opening zone, wherein the second front opening zone is positioned on the external face between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the second front opening zone.

67. A method according to example 66, wherein the first opening has a first rim and the second opening as a second rim, and wherein the second front opening zone is positioned between a portion of the first rim and a portion of the second rim.

68. A method according to example 67, wherein the second front opening zone is at least partially bounded by the portion of the first rim and the portion of the second rim.

69. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 68, wherein the front wall comprises a landing area zone positioned between the front opening and a bottom edge of the front wall, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the landing area zone.

70. A method according to example 67, wherein the landing area zone is substantially planar. 71. A method according to any one of examples 51 to 67, wherein the front wall has an internal face positioned adjacent to the front face of the adhesive portion, wherein a portion of the internal face has an internal offset distance from the face of the adhesive portion of less than 7 mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone of the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages, wherein the central measurement zone is one of the central measurement zones determined by the Measurement Test Method.

The dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical dimension and/or values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/or value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An insect trapping device, comprising:

a mosquito lure;

the roughened portion of the external face has a surface roughness greater than 2μιη, as defined by the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) according to ISO 25178-2:2012 measured in accordance with the Surface Roughness Test Method described herein.

2. The insect trapping device of claim 1, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is greater than 2μιη.

3. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microscale surface roughness parameter (Sq) of the roughened portion is the range of 2μιη to 37μιη.

4. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the external face has a surface area, wherein the roughened portion has a surface area and wherein the surface area of the roughened portion is more than 5% of the surface area of the external face.

5. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front opening defines an area and the surface area of the external face is greater than the area of the front opening.

6. The insect trapping device of claim 5, wherein the area of the front opening is from 4cm² to 56cm² and the surface area of the external face is from 14cm² to 232cm².

7. The insect trapping device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the surface area of the external face is 3 to 9 times greater than the area of the front opening.

8. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front wall comprises a landing area zone positioned between the front opening and a bottom edge of the front wall, and wherein the roughened portion comprises the landing area zone.

9. The insect trapping device of claim 8, wherein the landing area zone is substantially planar.

10. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roughened portion comprises two or more separate roughened areas that are disposed on the external face.

11. The insect trapping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the internal face has an internal offset distance from the face of the adhesive portion of less than 7mm at a measurement point within a central measurement zone of the front face of the adhesive portion when the cartridge engages, wherein the central measurement zone is one of the central measurement zones determined by the Measurement Test Method.