Methods and products for reducing the population size of papilio demoleus l. (papilionidae)

Abstract

The methods, kits, and products for controlling a target insect population are disclosed in which a non-host plant containing a toxin and a chemical attractant known to attract the target insect is treated with chemical attractant from a plant of interest. The chemical attractant induces the target insect to lay eggs on the non-host plant. The resulting offspring die of starvation from refusing to feed on the non-host plant. The non-host plant and plant of interest contain at least one common chemical. The methods, kits, and products for controlling a target insect population using an extract from a non-host plant are also disclosed. The non-host plant extract is applied to the plant of interest, and when ingested or applied directly to the target insect, kills the target insect or causes it to develop with deformities.

1 . A method of controlling a target insect population comprising:
 providing a non-host plant containing a toxin and applying to the non-host plant additional chemical attractant to induce the target insect to lay eggs on the non-host plant, wherein the target insect laid on the non-host plant dies of starvation after it emerges from the egg.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target insect is a citrus-feeding insect. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the target insect is a citrus-feeding butterfly. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target insect belongs to the species  Papilio demoleus.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target insect is  Papilio demoleus: demoleus  L.;  Papilio demoleus: libanius  Fruhstorfer;  Papilio demoleus: malayanus  Wallace;  Papilio demoleus: novoguineensis  Rothschild;  Papilio demoleus: sthenelus  Macleay; or  Papilio demoleus: stenelius  Rothschild. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-host plant is incapable of sustaining the target insect. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the non-host plant is a  Piper  plant. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the non-host plant is a plant on which the target insect does not naturally feed in the wild. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the non-host plant is one or more plants selected from the group consisting of  Piper amalago  var.  amalago  L. (Piperaceae),  Piper aduncum, Piper nigrinodum, Cleome rutidosperma  (Capperaceae),  Pentas  spp. (Rubiaceae),  Lantana camara  (Verbenaceae),  Canna indica  ((Cannaceae),  Kalanchoe crassula  (Crassulaceae),  Pimenta dioica  (Myrtaceae),  Peperomia pellucida  (Piperaceae),  Phyllanthus amarus  (Euphorbiaceae),  Pilea microphylla: microphylla  (Urticaceae),  Oxalis corymbosa  (Oxalidaceae),  Begonia  sp. (Begoniaceae), and  Dracaena sandariana  (Liliaceae) (Chinese bamboo). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical attractant comprises oil derived from a citrus plant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical attractant comprises oil derived from a plant on which the target insect does not naturally feed in the wild. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical attractant comprises limonene or d-limonene. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical attractant comprises oil derived from one or more plants selected from the group consisting of  Citrus aurantifolia  (Christm.) Swingle (Rutaceae), lime,  C. limon  (L.) Burm. F., lemon,  C. sinensis  (L.) Osbeck, sweet orange,  C. reticulata  Blanco, Mandarin orange, tangerine,  C. paradisi  Macf., grapefruit,  C. medica  L., citron,  C. aurantium  L. Seville orange,  C. grandis  (L.) Osbeck, shaddock, pummelo,  C. maxima  citron,  C. aurantium  L. Seville orange,  C. grandis  (L.) Osbeck, shaddock, pummelo,  C. maxima  (Burm.) Merr, ugli,  C. reticulata  Blanco× C. sinensis  (L.) Osbeck, ortanique,  C. mitis  Blanco, calamondin,  Fortunella margarita  Lour. Swingle, kumquat (Rutaceae),  Amyris  P. Browne (Rutaceae),  Zanthoxylum  L.  Zanthoxylum martinicense  (Lam.), and  Z. pterota  L. (Rutaceae). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical attractant is applied to the plant of interest in the form of a spray, paste, gum, oil, solution, aerosol, mist, dust, fume, or gas. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the aerosol consists of a mixture of limonene, d-limonene, or a mixture thereof, and butane and propane. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the amount of chemical attractant in the mixture is about 0.01%-0.05%; 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.15%, 0.15%-0.20%; 0.20%-0.25%; 0.25%-0.30%; 0.30%-0.35%; or 0.35%-0.40%; 0.40%-0.45%; or 0.45%-0.50% by weight. 
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling the population size of  Papilio demoleus  comprising:
 providing a  Piper  plant that contains a toxin and applying to the  Piper  plant chemical attractant comprising limonene or d-limonene, wherein application of the chemical attractant induces  Papilio demoleus  to lay eggs on the  Piper  plant, and  Papilio demoleus  laid on the  Piper  plant die of starvation after emerging from the eggs.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the target insect is  Papilio demoleus: demoleus  L.;  Papilio demoleus: libanius  Fruhstorfer;  Papilio demoleus: malayanus  Wallace;  Papilio demoleus: novoguineensis  Rothschild;  Papilio demoleus: sthenelus  Macleay; or  Papilio demoleus: stenelius  Rothschild. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the chemical attractant is applied in the form of a spray, paste, gum, oil, solution, aerosol, mist, dust, fume, or gas. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the aerosol consists of a mixture of chemical attractant, butane, and propane. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the chemical attractant is derived from a citrus plant. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the amount of limonene or d-limonene in the mixture is about 0.01%-0.05%; 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.15%, 0.15%-0.20%; 0.20%-0.25%; 0.25%-0.30%; 0.30%-0.35%; or 0.35%-0.40%; 0.40%-0.45%; or 0.45%-0.50% by weight. 
     
     
         23 . A method of controlling the population size of  Papilio demoleus  comprising:
 applying directly to  Papilio demoleus  a toxic extract derived from a non-host plant.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the non-host plant is a plant on which  Papilio  demoleus is not observed feeding in the wild. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the non-host plant is a  Piper  plant. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the non-host plant is  Piper aduncum.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the toxic extract comprises apiol. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the toxic extract is selected from the group consisting of piperine, pellitorine, pipercide, phenylpropanoid, dillapiol, safrole, piperonyl butoxide, and their analogs. 
     
     
         29 . A kit useful for reducing the number of target insects in a given area comprising an agent consisting of a chemical attractant comprising oil derived from a citrus plant and instructions for applying the chemical attractant to the  Piper  plant, wherein application of chemical attractant to the  Piper  plant induces a gravid female target insect to lay eggs on the  Piper  plant, and the  Piper  plant repels the feeding of emerging juvenile target insects, which causes them to die of starvation. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the target insect is a citrus-feeding insect. 
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the target insect is a citrus swallowtail butterfly. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the target insect belongs to the species  Papilio demoleus.    
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the target insect is  Papilio demoleus: demoleus  L.;  Papilio demoleus: libanius  Fruhstorfer;  Papilio demoleus: malayanus  Wallace;  Papilio demoleus: novoguineensis  Rothschild;  Papilio demoleus: sthenelus  Macleay; or  Papilio demoleus: stenelius  Rothschild. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the chemical attractant comprises limonene or d-limonene. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the  Piper  plant contains a toxin that causes death or deformity in  Papilio demoleus.    
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the chemical attractant is applied to the plant of interest in the form of a spray, paste, gum, oil, solution, aerosol, mist, dust, fume, or gas. 
     
     
         37 . The kit of claim of  36 , wherein the aerosol consists of a mixture of limonene, d-limonene, or a mixture thereof, and butane and propane. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 37 , wherein the amount of limonene or d-limonene in the mixture is about 0.01%-0.05%; 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.15%, 0.15%-0.20%; 0.20%-0.25%; 0.25%-0.30%; 0.30%-0.35%; or 0.35%-0.40%; 0.40%-0.45%; or 0.45%-0.50% by weight. 
     
     
         39 . The kit of  claim 29 , wherein the instructions direct the application of the chemical attractant to the  Piper  plant at least once daily, twice daily, weekly, twice weekly, or at least once monthly. 
     
     
         40 . A kit useful for reducing the number butterflies in a given area comprising an agent consisting of a toxic extract derived from a  Piper  plant, and instructions for applying the extract, wherein the butterflies dies from ingesting the extract. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the  Piper  plant contains a toxin selected from the group consisting of apiol, piperine, pellitorine, pipercide, phenylpropanoid, dillapiol, safrole, piperonyl butoxide, and their analogs. 
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the instructions direct the application of the extract to a citrus plant. 
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the instructions direct the application of the extract to a plant on which the target insect does not feed in the wild. 
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the instructions direct the application of extract directly to the butterflies in any stage of development. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the extract is applied in the form of a spray, paste, gum, oil, solution, aerosol, mist, dust, fume, or gas. 
     
     
         46 . The kit of  claim 45 , wherein the spray consists of a mixture of apiol and ethanol. 
     
     
         47 . The kit of  claim 46 , wherein the amount of apiol in the mixture is 0.1%-0.5%; 0.5%-1.0%, 1.0-1.5%, 1.5%-2.0%, 2.0%-2.5%, 2.5%-3.0%, 3.0%-3.5%, 3.5%-4.0%, 4.0%-4.5%, 4.5%-5.0%, 5.0%-5.5%, 5.5%-6.0%, 6.0%-6.5%, or 6.5%-7.0% by weight. 
     
     
         48 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the instructions direct the application of the extract to the citrus plant at least once daily, twice daily, weekly, twice weekly, or at least once monthly. 
     
     
         49 . A pest control agent for reducing the number of citrus-feeding butterflies comprising a chemical attractant derived from a citrus plant, and an agriculturally acceptable carrier, wherein the agent is for application to a plant incapable of sustaining the butterflies. 
     
     
         50 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein butterfly is a citrus swallowtail butterfly. 
     
     
         51 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein butterfly belongs to the species  Papilio demoleus.    
     
     
         52 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein butterfly belongs to the subspecies  selected  from the group consisting of  Papilio demoleus: demoleus  L.;  Papilio demoleus: libanius  Fruhstorfer;  Papilio demoleus: malayanus  Wallace;  Papilio demoleus: novoguineensis  Rothschild;  Papilio demoleus: sthenelus  Macleay; or  Papilio demoleus: stenelius  Rothschild. 
     
     
         53 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein the citrus plant contains limonene or d-limonene, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         54 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein the plant incapable of sustaining the butterflies contains a toxin for the citrus-feeding butterfly. 
     
     
         55 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein the plant incapable of sustaining the butterflies is a species of  Piper  plant. 
     
     
         56 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein the plant incapable of sustaining the butterflies is selected from the group consisting of  Piper amalago  var.  amalago  L. (Piperaceae),  Piper aduncum, Piper nigrinodum, Cleome rutidosperma  (Capperaceae),  Pentas  spp. (Rubiaceae),  Lantana camara  (Verbenaceae),  Canna indica  ((Cannaceae),  Kalanchoe crassula  (Crassulaceae),  Pimenta dioica  (Myrtaceae),  Peperomia pellucida  (Piperaceae),  Phyllanthus amarus  (Euphorbiaceae),  Pilea microphylla: microphylla  (Urticaceae),  Oxalis corymbosa  (Oxalidaceae),  Begonia  sp. (Begoniaceae), and  Dracaena sandariana  (Liliaceae) (Chinese bamboo). 
     
     
         57 . The pest control agent of  claim 49 , wherein the agent is an aerosol mixture comprising the chemical attractant, the agriculturally acceptable carrier, butane, and propane. 
     
     
         58 . The pest control agent of  claim 57 , wherein the amount of chemical attractant in the aerosol mixture is about 0.01%-0.05%; 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.15%, 0.15%-0.20%; 0.20%-0.25%; 0.25%-0.30%; 0.30%-0.35%; 0.35%-0.40%; 0.40%-0.45%; or 0.45%-0.50% by weight. 
     
     
         59 . A pest control agent for reducing the number of citrus-feeding butterflies comprising a toxic extract and an agriculturally acceptable carrier for application to the butterflies, the toxic extract being derived from a  Piper  plant. 
     
     
         60 . The pest control agent of  claim 59 , wherein the butterfly is a citrus-feeding swallowtail butterfly. 
     
     
         61 . The pest control agent of  claim 59 , wherein the citrus-feeding butterflies belong to the species  Papilio demoleus.    
     
     
         62 . The pest control agent of  claim 59 , wherein the citrus-feeding butterflies belong to the species  Papilio demoleus: demoleus  L.;  Papilio demoleus: libanius  Fruhstorfer;  Papilio demoleus: malayanus  Wallace;  Papilio demoleus: novoguineensis  Rothschild;  Papilio demoleus: sthenelus  Macleay; or  Papilio demoleus: stenelius  Rothschild. 
     
     
         63 . The pest control agent of  claim 59 , wherein the  Piper  plant is selected from the group consisting of  Piper amalago  var.  amalago  L. (Piperaceae),  Piper aduncum, Piper nigrinodum , and  Peperomia pellucida  (Piperaceae). 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the extract contains toxin selected from the group consisting of apiol, piperine, pellitorine, pipercide, phenylpropanoid, dillapiol, safrole, piperonyl butoxide, and their analogs. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 59 , where in the extract is applied as a spray that contains toxin selected from the group consisting of apiol, piperine, pellitorine, pipercide, phenylpropanoid, dillapiol, safrole, piperonyl butoxide, and their analogs. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 59 , where in the extract is applied as a spray that contains the toxin apiol. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the amount of toxin in the mixture is 0.1%-0.5%; 0.5%-1.0%, 1.0-1.5%, 1.5%-2.0%, 2.0%-2.5%, 2.5%-3.0%, 3.0%-3.5%, 3.5%-4.0%, 4.0%-4.5%, 4.5%-5.0%, 5.0%-5.5%, 5.5%-6.0%, 6.0%-6.5%, or 6.5%-7.0% by weight.