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US 7,124,706 B2Granted
Lepidoptera habitat
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorHeather Tokas
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorHeather Tokas
Estimating the term…
A frame supports a bundle of natural logs providing nooks, crannies or crevices attracting lepidoptera and like insects as a nesting site. The frame may be affixed to a wall, tree or post at an elevation and in a location for ease of viewing and examination. Two flexible rods or supports emulating antennae support shallow dishes disguised as flowers above and in front of the bundle. These may contain water and nectar, respectively. The bundle may be collected naturally and over time replaced. The habitat provides an attractive and natural setting to observe lepidoptera insects substantially year round.
A lepidoptera habitat comprising an open frame containing a generally parallel bundle of logs to form crevices, a top on said frame comprising roof means to cover the bundle for weather protection, and tab means to hang the frame vertically elevated for convenience of viewing.
A method of enticing Lepidoptera comprising forming a Lepidoptera habitat by forming a bundle of short small logs, maintaining those logs as a bundle, providing a roof over the bundle to keep the bundle dry, and elevating the bundle off the ground and supporting the bundle elevated at an observable location in direct sunlight for viewing and enjoyment of Lepidoptera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Rearing or breeding animals, not otherwise provided for; New or modified breeds of animals: rearing or breeding invertebrates
Beehives
Animal husbandry
Term ended 1 Nov 2023 (estimated)
This invention relates as indicated to a lepidoptera habitat, and more particularly to a habitat and feeder designed to attract lepidopteran and like insects.
Butterflies are fun to watch, observe, and even photograph. Like birding there is a growing interest in the feeding and observation of lepidopteran and like type insects. Such insects are not only interesting to watch and observe, even throughout the year and the various stages of their lives, but they are also useful, in for example, the pollinization of plants, as well as attracting other species.
Attempts have been made to attract butterflies with butterfly feeders. Examples may be seen in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,067,934; 5,996,127; 5,493,999; 5,423,291; 5,377,617; 5,269,258; D 408 947; D 368 336; and D 352 574. These feeders however do not provide a year round natural habitat for Lepidoptera and like insects. They also may attract birds or other insects which would prey on Lepidoptera in their various stages. Accordingly, there is a need for a lepidoptera feeder which will also provide a natural habitat and a somewhat protected environment enabling observation throughout most of the year.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lepidoptera habitat of the present invention from above and the rear, with the heat absorbing roof broken away and in phantom lines;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the habitat;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation;
Referring now to FIGS. 1–4 there is illustrated a lepidoptera habitat in accordance with the present invention shown generally at 10. The habitat 10 includes a bundle of relatively small bark covered logs shown generally at 12 which bundle is contained in a frame shown generally at 14.
As seen more clearly in FIG. 3, the frame 14 includes a rear frame 16 and a front frame 18. The front and rear frames are generally parallel and oriented in a vertical direction. The front and rear frames are connected by horizontal stringers or struts 20.
The horizontal frame members are sufficient in number and strength to space the front and rear frame members and maintain the rigidity of the frame to support the bundle of logs in elevated position.