US 2020/0260699 A1 · AUTOMATED MASS REARING SYSTEM FOR INSECT LARVAE

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an automated mass rearing system for insect larvae. The automated mass rearing system can facilitate hatching, feeding, monitoring the growth and emergence of insect larvae and pupae. In some embodiments, the automated mass rearing system can include a production unit, a transportation unit, a storage unit, a dispensing unit, and a monitoring unit. In some embodiments, this automated mass rearing system can facilitate mass mosquito growth from egg hatching all the way through to full adults or certain stages in between such as the larvae rearing process (i.e., from larvae to pupae) with little or no human intervention. By automating the rearing and transportation of insect eggs, larvae, and pupae, deaths or developmental issues can be minimized. Various techniques and apparatuses are used in this automation that causes minimal disturbance to the insects during development, and thereby maximizing survival rate and fitness of the insects.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An automated insect rearing system comprising:

a food dispensing station having a horizontal surface and configured to receive a rearing container having a population of insects disposed within from an insect dispensing station having a horizontal surface;
a food dispenser comprising a food container and a food dispensing vessel, a first end of the food dispensing vessel coupled to a second orifice defined in the food container and a second end of the food dispensing vessel movable to be proximate to the horizontal surface to dispense food from the food container to the received rearing container at the horizontal surface;
a robotic storage system comprising one or more shelves to store one or more rearing containers;
and
a transportation unit positioned and configured to transport rearing containers from the food dispenser to the robotic storage system.

2 more elements

An automated insect rearing system comprising:

a robotic storage system one or more shelves configured to receive and store one or more rearing containers, each rearing container comprising a population of immature insects;
a robotic arm configured to move rearing containers from a horizontal surface external to the robotic storage system to a shelf of the one or more shelves, and to remove rearing containers from the shelf;
a monitoring system comprising:
one or more temperature sensors positioned to sense a temperature of an environment at the robotic storage system;
and
a temperature control in communication with a heating and cooling system configured to provide heated or cooled air from the heating and cooling system to the robotic storage system, the temperature control configured to adjust an ambient air temperature of the robotic storage system.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated mass rearing system for insect larvae

Life of this patent

Automated mass rearing system for insect larvae

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20