AU2017101654A4 - A synergistic insecticidal composition comprising methomyl and fipronil - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A composition comprising a synergistic pesticidally effective amount of methomyl and fipronil. The composition is particularly useful for protecting and/or treating crops against insects.

Description

A SYNERGISTIC INSECTICIDAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING METHOMYL

AND FIPRONIL

Field of the invention

The present invention pertains to a synergistic insecticidal composition comprising methomyl and fipronil and its use in controlling insects. The present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned composition, in particular in the treatment of seeds, foliage and soil applications.

Background

Chemical control is an important way for preventing and controlling pests in agriculture. However, current chemical agents show an unsatisfactory effect to certain kinds of pests. Furthermore, many pests have developed resistance to commonly used pesticides due to long time use of pesticides. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new methods and pesticides to control these pests. Moreover, the environmental and economic requirements imposed on modern-day insecticides are continually increasing, with regard, for example, to the spectrum of action, toxicity, selectivity, application rate, formation of residues, and favorable preparation ability. Since there may be problems, for example, with resistances developing to known active compounds, a constant task is to develop new insecticide agents which in some areas at least have advantages over their known counterparts.

Methomyl ((E,Z)-methyl N-{[(methylamino)carbonyl]oxy}ethanimidothioate), also known as Lannate, Mesomile, Methomex, and Nudrin, is a plant protectant belonging to the group of carbamates. It is commonly used as an insecticide against Lepidopterous insect pests, and Coleopterous and some Hemipterous insect pests. It acts by reversibly inactivating the insecticidal acetylcholinesterase. Common trade names include Acinate, Agrinate, DuPont 1179, Flytek, Kipsin, Lannate, Lanox, Memilene, Methavin, Methomex, Nudrin, NuBait, Pillarmate and SD 14999.

Fipronil (5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-a,a,a-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfi-nyl]pyrazole-3-carbonitrile) belongs to a class of insecticides known as phenyl-pyrazoles. Fipronil interferes with the passage of chloride ions through the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-regulated chloride channel disrupting CNS activity. It is moderately systemic and can be used to control insects when applied as a soil or seed treatment. A method to prepare fipronil is disclosed in WO2013037291 A1.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a synergistic insecticidal composition comprising an effective amount of (A) methomyl; and an effective amount of (B) fipronil.

The term "effective amount" means the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds that is capable of preventing, controlling and/or treating insect infestations in a synergistic manner. "Plant" as used herein, refers to all plant and plant populations such as desired and undesired wild plants or crop plants. "Plant parts" as used herein, refers to all parts and organs of plants, such as shoot, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes. Harvested materials, and vegetative and generative propagation materials, for example, cutting, tubers, meristem tissue, rhizomes, offsets, seeds, single and multiple plant cells and any other plant tissues, are also included.

The word “surrounding” or “locus” refers to the place on which the plants are growing, the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants will be sown.

The invention also relates to a method of preventing, controlling and/or treating insecticidal infestations, and to the use of this synergistic composition.

It has now surprisingly been found that when applying a synergistic insecticidal composition comprising (A) methomyl; and (B) fipronil on the plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings, particularly on cereals, coffee, fiber plants, leguminous plants, oil plants, pastures, sugarcane, trees and vegetables, an excellent performance in preventing, controlling and/or treating insect infestations may be observed. Further, the rates of application of the individual components can be markedly reduced while maintaining a high level of insecticidal efficacy. The composition has been found to exhibit a considerably broader spectrum against infestation as compared to the components alone. The composition can have the potential to control insect infestation at a low application rate at which the individual compounds alone were ineffective. The composition can have a speed of action which is faster than that which would have been predicted from the speed of the individual components. (A) Methomyl may be present in the composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 1% to about 80% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to about 75% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 1% to about 70% by weight, from about 1% to about 65% by weight or from about 1% to about 60% by weight of the composition. (B) Fipronil may be present in the composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 1% to about 80% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to about 75% or from about 1% to about 70% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 1% to about 65%, from about 1 % to about 60%, or from about 1 % to about 40% by weight of the composition.

The components (A) and (B) together may be present in the composition in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 2% to about 95% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 10% to about 80% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 15% to about 70%, and even more preferably from about 20% to about 65% by weight of the composition.

The components (A) and (B) may be present in the composition or applied in any amounts relative to each other, to provide the enhanced or synergistic effect of the mixture. In particular, the weight ratio of the components (A) and (B) in the composition independently is preferably in the range of from about 90:1 to about 1:90 or from about 50:1 to about 1:50, more preferably from about 25:1 to about 1:25, and even more preferably from about 12:1 to about 1:12, from about 10:1 to about 1:10, from about 9:1 to about 1:9, from about 8:1 to about 1:8, from about 7:1 to about 1:7, from about 6:1 to about 1:6, from about 5:1 to about 1:5, from about 4:1 to about 1:4, from about 3:1 to about 1:3, from about 2:1 to about 1:2, about 1:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the components (A) to (B) in the composition is about 12:1 or 10:1 or 9:1 or 8:1 or 7:1 or 6:1 or 5: 1 or 4:1 or 3:1 or 2:1 or 1:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the components (A) to (B) in the composition is about 8:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the components (A) to (B) in the composition is about 1:1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each combination is a composition comprising, components (A) and (B), and optionally one or more auxiliaries. The auxiliaries employed in the composition will depend upon the type of formulation and/or the manner in which the formulation is to be applied by the end user. Formulations incorporating the composition of the present invention are described hereinafter. Suitable auxiliaries which may be comprised in the composition according to the invention are all customary formulation adjuvants or components, such as extender, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents and inert fillers. Such auxiliaries are known in the art and are commercially available. Their use in the formulation of the composition of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

The composition may further comprise one or more inert fillers. Such inert fillers are known in the art and available commercially. Suitable fillers in a form of a solid include, for example, natural ground minerals, such as kaolins, aluminas, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, and diatomaceous earth, or synthetic ground minerals, such as highly dispersed silicic acid, aluminium oxide, silicates, and calcium phosphates and calcium hydrogen phosphates. Suitable inert fillers for granules include, for example, crushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, and dolomite, or synthetic granules of inorganic and organic ground materials, as well as granules of organic material, such as sawdust, coconut husks, corn cobs, and tobacco stalks.

The composition optionally includes one or more surfactants which are preferably non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic in nature and surfactant mixtures which have good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties, depending on the nature of the active compound to be formulated. Suitable surfactants are known in the art and are commercially available. Suitable anionic surfactants can be both so-called water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds. Soaps which may be used are the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or substituted or unsubstituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acid (C10-C22), for example the sodium or potassium salt of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures. The surfactant can be an emulsifier, dispersant or wetting agent of ionic or nonionic type. Examples which may be used are salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acid, salts of phenylsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols, especially alkylphenols, sulphosuccinic ester salts, taurine derivatives, especially alkyltaurates, or phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated phenols or alcohols. The presence of at least one surfactant is generally required when the active compound and/or the inert carrier and/or auxiliary/adjuvant is/are insoluble in water and the vehicle for the final application of the composition is water.

The composition optionally further comprises one or more polymeric stabilizer. The suitable polymeric stabilizers that may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins, polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethanes or polyamides. Suitable stabilizers are known in the art and are commercially available.

The surfactants and polymeric stabilizers mentioned above are generally believed to impart stability to the composition, in turn allowing the composition to be readily formulated, stored, transported and applied.

Suitable anti-foaming agents include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Suitable anti-foaming agents are known in the art and are available commercially. Particularly preferred anti-foaming agents are mixtures of polydimethylsiloxanes and perfluroalkylphosphonic acids, such as the silicone anti-foaming agents available from GE or Compton.

Suitable organic solvents are selected from all customary organic solvents which thoroughly dissolve the active compounds employed. Again, suitable organic solvents for the active components (A) and (B) are known in the art. The following may be preferred: N-methyl pyrrolidone, N-octyl pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl-1-pyrrolidone; or SOLVESSO™200, a mixture of paraffinic, isoparaffinic, cycloparaffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Suitable solvents are commercially available.

Suitable preservatives include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions of this type and again are well known in the art. Suitable examples include PREVENTOL® (from Bayer AG) and PROXEL® (from Bayer AG).

Suitable antioxidants are all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions, as is known in the art. Preference is given to butylated hydroxytoluene.

Suitable thickeners include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. For example xanthan gum, PVOH, cellulose and its derivatives, clay hydrated silicates, magnesium aluminium silicates or a mixture thereof. Again, such thickeners are known in the art and available commercially.

The composition may further comprise one or more solid adherents. Such adherents are known in the art and available commercially. They include organic adhesives, including tackifiers, such as celluloses of substituted celluloses, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules, or lattices, and inorganic adhesives such as gypsum, silica or cement.

In addition, depending upon the formulation, the composition according to the invention may also comprise water.

The composition of the present invention can be used in the agricultural sector and related fields of use for control insects, including, but not limited to ants, aphids, beetles, butterflies, moths, snout moths, termites, thrips, weevils, woodlouses. For example, but not limited to: ants: Acromyrmex landolti landolti, Atta sexdens rubropilosa; aphids: Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum graminum; beetles: Anthonomus grandis, Diabrotica speciosa, Diloboderus abderus, Migdolus fryanus, Phyllophaga cuyabana;butterflies: Ascia monuste orseis; moths: Agrotis ipsilon, Alabama argillacea, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Diatraea saccharalis, Epinotia aporema, Helicoverpa armigera, Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Leucoptera coffeella, Neoleucinodes elegantalis, Phthorimaea operculella, Plutella xylostella, Pseudaletia adultera, Pseudaletia sequax, Pseudoplusia includens, Rachiplusia nu, Spodoptera cosmioides, Spodoptera eridania, Spodoptera frugiperda; snout moths: Elasmopalpus lignosellus; termites: Cornitermes bequaerti, Cornitermes cumulans, Neocapritermes opacus, Procornitermes triacifer, Syntermes molestus; thrips: Caliothrips brasiliensis, Frankliniella schultzei; weevils: Eutinobothrus brasiliensis, Sternechus subsignatus; woodlouse: Porcellio laevis.

The composition of the present invention is suitable for plants of the crops: cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, rice, sorghum, triticale and related crops); beet (such as sugar beet and fodder beet); fruit, such as pomes, stone fruit and soft fruit, such as apples, grapes, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, and berries, for example strawberries, raspberries and blackberries; leguminous plants (beans, drybeans, lentils, peas, soybeans); oil plants (rape, mustard, sunflowers); cucurbitaceae (marrows, cucumbers, melons); fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute); citrus, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarins; vegetables (spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika, broccoli, cucumbers); coffee; sugarcane; trees (Eucalyptus) as well as ornamentals (flowers, such as rose, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens, such as conifers). In certain embodiments, the composition of the present invention is applied on cereals, coffee, fiber plants, leguminous plants, oil plants, pastures, sugarcane, trees and vegetables. In some embodiments, the composition of the present invention is applied on barley, bean, broccoli, cabbage, coffee, corn, cotton, cucumber, eucalyptus, pastures, potato, rice, soybean, sugarcane, sunflower, tomato and wheat.

The synergistic composition comprising (A) methomyl; and (B) fipronil, is particularly effective in preventing, controlling and/or treating insect infestations as mentioned above in barley, bean, broccoli, cabbage, coffee, corn, cotton, cucumber, eucalyptus, pastures, potato, rice, soybean, sugarcane, sunflower, tomato, wheat, their plant parts and/or surroundings.

The rates of application (use) of the composition of the present invention may vary, for example, according to the degree of control required, type of use, type of crop, the specific active compounds in the combination, type of plants, but is such that the active compounds are present in combination in an effective amount to provide the desired action (such as insect control). The application rate of the composition for a given set of conditions can readily be determined by trials. In general the composition of the invention can be applied at an application rate of between about 0.01 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha) and about 4 kg/ha, based on the total amount of active ingredient (component (A) + component (B)) in the composition. An application rate of between about 0.05 kg of active ingredient (a.i.)/ha and 2.5 kg a.i./ha is preferred.

The composition of the present invention is useful as an insecticide, demonstrating synergistic activity for preventing, controlling and/or treating insect infestations. The composition can be formulated in the same manner in which insecticides are generally formulated. The compounds may be applied either separately or combined as part of a two-part system. The components (A) and (B) may be applied in any desired sequence, any combination, consecutively or simultaneously. In the event that the components (A) and (B) or active ingredients are applied simultaneously in the present invention, they may be applied as a composition containing components (A) and (B) or active ingredients, in which case components (A) and (B) can be obtained from a separate formulation source and mixed together (known as a tank-mix, ready-to-apply, spray broth, or slurry), optionally with other pesticides, or components (A) and (B) or active ingredients can be obtained as a single formulation mixture source (known as a pre-mix, concentrate, formulated compound (or product)), and optionally mixed together with other pesticides.

The composition of the present invention can be applied in a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art, at various concentrations. The composition is useful in preventing, controlling and/or treating insect infestations in plants, plant parts and/or surroundings by pre-emergence or postemergence application to plants, plant parts and/or surroundings is desired.

The synergistic composition of this invention preferably also comprises an agriculturally acceptable carrier therefor. In practice, the compounds are applied as formulations containing the various adjuvants and carriers known to or used in the industry for facilitating dispersion. The choice of formulation and mode of application for any given compound may affect its activity, and selection will be made accordingly. The compositions of the invention may thus be formulated as: a water-soluble concentrate (SL), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), a suspension concentrates (SC), an oil-based suspension concentrates (OD), a flowable suspension (FS), a water-dispersible granule (WG), a water-soluble granule (SG), a water-dispersible powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), a granule (GR), an encapsulated granule (CG), a fine granule (FG), a macrogranule (GG), an aqueous suspo-emulsion (SE), a micro-encapsulated suspension (CS), and a microgranule (MG), or preferably as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a suspension concentrates (SC), a water-dispersible granule (WG) or a flowable suspension (FS).

Using such formulations, either straight (that is undiluted) or diluted with a suitable solvent, especially water, plants, plant parts and/or the surroundings can be treated and protected against insects by spraying, pouring immersing or treating.

The composition can be applied with the methods known in the art. These methods include coating, spraying, dipping, soaking, injection, irrigation etc.

Further, other biocidally active ingredients or compositions may be combined with the synergistic composition of this invention. For example, the compositions may contain, in addition to components (A) and (B), herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, acaracides or nematicides, in order to broaden the spectrum of activity. The compositions according to the invention are distinguished by the fact that they are especially well tolerated by plants and are environmentally friendly.

As one skilled in the art is aware, in insect, nematode and fungal testing, a significant number of factors that are not readily controllable can affect the results of individual tests and render them non-reproducible. For example, the results may vary depending on environmental factors, such as amount of sunlight and water, soil type, pH of the soil, temperature, and humidity, among other factors. Also, the depth of planting, the application rate of individual and combined insecticides and fungicides, and the ratio of each insecticide and fungicide, as well as the nature of crops or weeds being tested, can affect the results of the test. Results may vary from crop to crop within the crop varieties.

The following examples are given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation of the invention.

Examples A. Formulations a) Water-dispersible granule formulation:

Water-dispersible granules (WG) were prepared by mixing finely ground active ingredients with auxiliaries (0.5% by weight SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate, Witco Inc., Greenwich), 5% by weight REAX®88B (sodium lignosulfonate, Westvaco Corp), Potassium carbonate (balance to 100%)) and then extruded and dried in an airflow drier.

Methomyl 60% by weight

Fipronil 7.5% by weight SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate, Witco Inc., 0.5% by weight

Greenwich) REAX®88B (sodium lignosulfonate, Westvaco 5% by weight

Corp)

Potassium carbonate 27% by weight b) Aqueous suspension concentrates:

Aqueous suspension concentrates (SC) were prepared by mixing finely ground active ingredients with auxiliaries (10% by weight Propylene glycol, 5% by weight Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates, 1% by weight Sodium lignosulfonate, 1% by weight Carboxymethylcellulose, 1% by weight Silicone oil (in the form of a 75% by weight emulsion in water), 0.1% by weight Xanthan gum, 0.1% by weight NIPACIDE BIT 20 (Clariant, Asia) Water (Balance to 100% by weight).

Methomyl 20% by weight

Fipronil 20% by weight

Propylene glycol 10% by weight

Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates 5% by weight

Sodium lignosulfonate 1% by weight

Carboxymethylcellulose 1% by weight

Silicone oil (in the form of a 75% emulsion in 1 % by weight water)

Xanthan gum 0.1% by weight NIPACIDE BIT 20 (Clariant) 0.1% by weight

Water Balance to 100 % by weight c) Emulsifiable concentrates:

Emulsifiable concentrates (EC) were prepared by mixing active ingredients with auxiliaries (50g Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates, 1g Silicone oil, 300g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, SOLVESSO™200 (Balance to 1kg).

Methomyl 25g

Fipronil 5g

Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates 50g

Silicone oil 1g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 300g SOLVESSO 200 (ExxonMobile) Balance to 1kg d) Flowable suspension

Fipronil 10%

Methomyl 40%

Propylene glycol 10%

Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates 5%

Sodium lignosulfonate 1%

Carboxymethylcellulose 1%

Silicone oil (in the form of a 75% emulsion in water) 1%

Xanthan gum 0.1% NIPACIDE BIT 20 0.1%

Water Balance to 1L

Formulations were prepared according to the methods above with the amounts of active ingredients methomyl and fipronil as shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1:

Table 1: EC = emulsifiable concentrate; WG = water-dispersible granules; SC = aqueous suspension concentrate; FS = flowable suspension. B. Practical applications

The samples 1-11 as shown in Table 1 have been tested for their effectiveness in eight independent examples shown below. The amount of methomyl and/or fipronil actually applied is indicated in grams per hectare (g/ha). Percentage values of insecticidal infestation have been determined with reference to the initial population placed on the respective plants.

Biological Example 1 - Cotton - Ant (Acromyrmex landolti landolti)

Ant (Acromyrmex landolti landolti) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect was counted; insects were collected and then put on healthy young cotton plants separately. The respective formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 2)

Table 2:

Biological Example 2 - Potato - Aphid (Myzus persicae)

Aphide (Myzus persicae) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young potato plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 3)

Table 3:

Biological Example 3 - Bean - Beetle (Diabrotica speciosa)

Beetle (Diabrotica speciosa) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young bean plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 4)

Table 4:

Biological Example 4 - Coffee - Moth (coffee leaf miner) {Leucoptera co ffeel la)

Moth (coffee leaf miner) (Leucoptera coffeella) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young corn plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 5)

Table 5:

Biological Example 5 - Corn - Snout moth (Elasmopalpus lignosellus)

Snout moth (Elasmopalpus lignosellus) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young cotton plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 6)

Table 6:

Biological Example 6 - Eucalyptus - Termite (Syntermes molestus)

Termite (Syntermes molestus) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young Eucalyptus plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 7)

Table 7:

Biological Example 7 - Tomato - Thrips (Frankliniella schultzei)

Thrips (Frankliniella schultzei) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young tomato plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 8)

Table 8:

Biological Example 8 - Cotton - Weevil (Eutinobothrus brasiliensis)

Weevil (Eutinobothrus brasiliensis) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young cotton plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 9)

Table 9:

Biological Example 9 - Soybean - Woodlouse (Porcellio laevis)

Woodlouse (Porcellio laevis) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young soybean plants separately. Formulations were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 10)

Table 10:

Biological Example 10 - Rice - Termite (Syntermes molestus)

Rice seeds were treated with formulated solutions. The seeds were planted. After staying in a greenhouse at 15 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 28 days. Termite (Syntermes molestus) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young rice plants separately. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 11)

Table 11

Biological Example 11 - Sugarcane - Termite (Neocapritermes opacus)

Sugarcane cuttings were treated with formulated solutions. The cuttings were planted. After staying in a greenhouse at 15 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 28 days. Termite (Neocapritermes opacus) was reared separately in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young rice plants separately. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined. (Table 12)

Table 12

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. The claims defining the invention are as follows:

   1. An insecticidal composition comprising an effective amount of (A) methomyl; and an effective amount of (B) fipronil, wherein (A) is present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60% by weight of the composition and (B) is present in an amount of from about 1 % to about 40% by weight of the composition.
2. 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of (A) and (B) in the composition is in a range of from 12:1 to 1:1.
3. 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the ratio is 1:1 or 8:1.
4. 4. A method of preventing, controlling and/or treating an insect infestation in plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings, comprising applying to the plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the insect infestation is an infestation of an insect selected the group consisting of from ants, aphids, beetles, butterflies, moths, snout moths, termites, thrips, weevils and woodlouses.