Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Inhibiting chemical or physical change of food by contact... – Biocidal or disinfecting chemical agent
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-17
2001-01-30
Sayala, Chhaya D. (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Inhibiting chemical or physical change of food by contact...
Biocidal or disinfecting chemical agent
C426S072000, C426S622000, C426S630000, C426S635000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06180147
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a semi-artificial diet for monarch butterfly larva and a process for making such a diet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The monarch butterfly is one of the most well-recognized animals and has generated much interest because of its beauty and its migratory habits. Recently, monarch butterflies have become popular for release at weddings, graduations and other celebrations and events. Based on the demand, a commercial market in monarch butterflies has developed and commercial monarch butterfly suppliers and farms now exist.
Interest in raising monarch butterflies has also been spurred by concern for destruction of their natural habits and other environmental concerns affecting monarch butterflies. Also, interest exists in raising monarch butterflies for educational purposes or by hobbyists or simply by people who enjoy watching and studying these beautiful animals.
One factor which has limited the ability to raise monarchs in captivity has been the need for monarch butterfly larva to feed on milkweed plants. Monarch butterflies larva feed exclusively on milkweed. Thus, it has been necessary to raise milkweed all year long or to otherwise have a constant supply of fresh milkweed in order to cultivate monarch butterflies. However, doing so is difficult and expensive.
Attempts have been made to develop artificial or semi-artificial diets for monarch butterfly larva but none have been entirely satisfactory. The monarchs raised using these artificial diets have either not developed properly or have been small and lacking in normal coloration. A need therefore exists for a monarch butterfly larval diet that can be used to raise healthy, normal monarch butterflies on a continuous and year round basis, is inexpensive, can be easily made and can be conveniently stored for long periods.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a diet or food for monarch butterfly larva which includes as its major constituent milkweed powder. The diet or food also includes sugar, protein, wheat germ, cellulose, texturizing agent, salt and ascorbic acid. It is preferred that the diet or food also include mold inhibitor and antibiotic.
In preferred embodiments, the sugar is sucrose, the protein is casein and the texturizing agent is agar. The preferred mold inhibitor is a mixture of propionic acid and phosphoric acid, but other inhibitors such as sodium benzoate may also be used. The preferred antibiotic is chlorotetracycline, but other antibiotics can be used.
The invention also provides a process for the preparation of dried milkweed powder. Milkweed leaves and shoots are sun dried on a screen for about 2 to 3 days. The milkweed leaves are then further dried in a dehydrator at about 120° F. for about 48 hours. The dried shoots and leaves are then ground into a powder.
The ground milkweed powder may then be used in a diet by mixing it with the other components of the diet and water to obtain a paste or dough like consistency. In this form, the diet may be easily stored, handled and dispensed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3295983 (1967-01-01), Kato et al.
patent: 4770878 (1988-09-01), Thomas
patent: 52-139741 (1977-11-01), None
Jones et al., J. Econ. Entomol., vol. 79(2), pp. 323-328, 1986.
Karilmoto et al., Ann. Entomol. Fenn., vol. 42(2), pp. 91-97, 1976.
Singh, et al., “A note on rearing of the monarch butterfly,Danaus plexippus(L.), on an artficial diet,”New Zealand Entomologist, vol. II, pp. 73-75 (1988).
California Polytechnic State University Foundation
McMillin Terrence W.
Sayala Chhaya D.
LandOfFree
Semi-artificial monarch butterfly larval diet does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Semi-artificial monarch butterfly larval diet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Semi-artificial monarch butterfly larval diet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2538082