Method for controlling non-crop pests

Abstract

Methods and uses for controlling non-crop pests (especially of the orders Blattodea, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Isoptera, Orthoptera) and/or populations of social insects and non-social solitary or gregarious insects, especially ants, wasps, termites and cockroaches, with a carboxamide compound and its mixtures, and compositions comprising it, are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling or combating a population of non-crop pests, the method comprising contacting the non-crop pests or their food supply, habitat, breeding grounds or their locus with a composition comprising a pesticidally active carboxamide compound I ##STR00003## and at least one other insecticidal active ingredient selected from the group consisting of alpha-cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, and dinotefuran, wherein the pesticidally active carboxamide compound I and the at least one other insecticidal active ingredient are present in the composition in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:11.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from an order of Dipterea.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from an order of Blattodea.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from an order of Isoptera.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from an order of Hymenoptera.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from an order of Orthoptera.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from an order of Hemiptera.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises protecting a stored product from non-crop pests.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the stored product is selected from tobacco, nuts, cocoa, fruits, wood.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the stored product is protected by a netting or textile material impregnated with the composition as defined in claim 1.

11. A method for controlling or combating a population of social insects, or for preventing an infestation of a locus by social insects, the method comprising contacting the social insects or their food supply, habitat, breeding grounds or their locus with the composition as defined in claim 1.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the locus is contacted with the composition in form of a spray, a foam, an aerosole, a bait or granulate.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is selected from the group consisting of flies, cockroaches, termites, ants, wasps, crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, and bed bugs.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the composition is a bait composition.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is a termite selected from the group consisting of Calotermes flavicollis, Leucotermes flavipes, Heterotermes aureus, Reticulitermes flavipes, Reticulitermes virginicus, Reticulitermes lucifugus, Termes natalensis, and Coptotermes formosanus.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is an ant selected from the group consisting of Crematogaster spp., Hoplocampa minuta, Hoplocampa testudinea, Monomorium pharaonis, Solenopsis geminata, Solenopsis invicta, Solenopsis richteri, Solenopsis xyloni, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Dasymutilla occidentalis, Bornbus spp. Vespula squamo-sa, Paravespula vulgaris, Paravespula pennsylvanica, Paravespula germanica, Dolicho-vespula maculate, Vespa crabro, Polistes rubiginosa, Camponotus floridanus, and Linepithema humile.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-crop pest is a cockroach selected from the group consisting of Blattella germanica, Blattella asahinae, Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta japonica, Peri-planeta brunnea, Periplaneta fuligginosa, Periplaneta australasiae, Blatta orientails, and Supella longipalpa.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one other insecticidal active ingredient is alpha-cypermethrin.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one other insecticidal active ingredient is chlorfenapyr.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one other insecticidal active ingredient is dinotefuran.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method results in a destruction of more than 60% of a population of the non-crop pests.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method results in a destruction of 95 to 100% of a population of the non-crop pests.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises contacting a minor fraction of the population of the non-crop pests or their food supply, habitat, breeding grounds or their locus with the composition as defined claim 1.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the minor fraction of the population is between 1 and 50 percent of the total population.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the minor fraction of the population is between 2 and 20 percent of the total population.

26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pesticidally active carboxamide compound I and the at least one other insecticidal active ingredient are present in the composition in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:10.

Description

EXAMPLES

(1) The present invention is now illustrated in further detail by the following examples.

B. Biological Examples

(2) As described further above, the compound I, preferably compound i) of formula (I), of the present invention shows surprisingly syngergistic effects with regard to biological activity and efficacy against non-crop pests.

(3) Synergism can be described as an interaction where the combined effect of two or more compounds is greater than the sum of the individual effects of each of the compounds. The presence of a synergistic effect in terms of percent control, between two mixing partners (X and Y) can be calculated using the Colby equation (Colby, S. R., 1967, Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses in Herbicide Combinations, Weeds, 15, 20-22):

(4) $E=X+Y-\frac{\mathrm{XY}}{100}$

(5) When the observed combined control effect is greater than the expected combined control effect (E), then the combined effect is synergistic.

(6) The following tests demonstrate the control efficacy of the compound i) of formula (I) alone, and its synergistic activity in mixtures (meaning in combination with other pesticidal actives) on specific pests.

(7) However, the pest control protection afforded by the compounds, mixtures or compositions is not limited to these species. In certain instances, combinations of a compound of this invention with other invertebrate pest control compounds or agents are found to exhibit synergistic effects against certain important invertebrate pests.

(8) The analysis of synergism or antagonism between the mixtures or compositions was determined using Colby's equation.

Biological Examples of the Invention

(9) Test 1. Activity Against German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)

(10) Glass vials were treated with 445 μl of varying concentrations of the technical grade active ingredient dissolved in acetone. Vials were turned on their sides and placed on an automated roller table. The vials were rolled (6 rpm) uncapped to allow an even coating of the treatment. Each treatment was replicated five times.

(11) Prior to infestation, cockroaches were incapacitated using carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). Approximately 6 insects were transferred with featherweight, broad tip forceps into treated vials, and held in an environmental chamber at 27° C. and 80% relative humidity for one hour. Following this exposure period, a small amount of CO.sub.2 was used to incapacitate the insects facilitating removal from treated vials. Insects were then transferred to 16 oz plastic holding containers provisioned with a small piece of dry cat food and a cotton wick moistened with water, and returned to the environmental chamber. Mortality was assessed at 1, 2, and 3 days after exposure (DAE).

(12) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Results of test 1 (Activity against German Cockroach (Blattella germanica)) Average German Cockroach ppm Control % Mixture 1.1 Compound i) of formula (I) 9.2 10 Dinotefuran 2.6 16.7 Dinotefuran + Compound i) 2.6 + 9.2 53.3* of formula (I) Test Mixture 1.2 Compound i) of formula (I) 10 10 Dinotefuran 4.1 30 Dinotefuran + Compound i) 4.1 + 10  86.7* of formula (I) Test Mixture 1.3 Compound i) of formula (I) 9.5 26.7 Chlorfenapyr 100 3.3 Chlorfenapyr + Compound i) 100 + 9.5  43.3* of formula (I) Test Mixture 1.4 Compound i) of formula (I) 9.5 46.7 Alphacypermethrin 1.96 0 Alphacypermethrin + Compound i) 1.96 + 9.5  63.3* of formula (I) *synergistic control effect according to Colby's equation

(13) Following further test systems may used to evaluate the efficacy of the compound i) of formula (I) against non-crop pests.

(14) 2. For Evaluating Activity Against Argentine Ant, Acrobat Ant, Carpenter Ant, Fire Ant, and Eastern Subterranean Termite Via Soil Contact

(15) For ants, tests are conducted in Petri dishes. A thin layer of 1 percent agar in water is dispensed into the dishes and Florida sandy soil is spread over the agar (5 g for the small dishes and 11 g for the larger dishes). The active ingredient is dissolved in acetone' and dispensed over the sand. Dishes are vented to evaporate the acetone, infested with ants, and covered. A 20% honey water solution is placed in each dish. The dishes are maintained at 22° C. and observed for mortality at various time intervals.

(16) For termites, a thin layer of 1% agar is dispensed into Petri dishes. A thin layer of pre-treated soil is spread over the agar. For soil treatment, the active ingredient is diluted in acetone on a weight-to-weight basis and incorporated into 100 g of soil. The soil is placed in a jar and vented for 48 hours. The moisture level of the soil is brought to field capacity by adding 7 ml of water. Termite workers are introduced into each dish. A small piece of filter paper is placed into each dish after 1 day as a food source, and additional water is added as needed to maintain soil moisture. Test dishes are held at a dark incubator at 25° C. and appr. 80% relative humidity.

(17) Termites are observed daily for mortality (dead or unable to stand upright and showing only weak movement).

(18) 3. For Evaluating Activity Against Argentine Ant, Acrobat Ant, Carpenter Ant, Fire Ant, House Fly, Eastern Subterranean Termite, Formosan Subterranean Termite and German Cockroach Via Bait

(19) For Argentine ant, acrobat ant, and carpenter ant, tests are conducted in Petri dishes. Ants are given a water source, and then are starved of a food source for 24 hours. Baits are prepared with either 20% honey/water solutions or ground cat chow. Active ingredient in acetone is added to the bait. 0.2 ml of treated honey water solution or 150 mg of treated cat chow, placed in a cap, is added to each dish. The dishes are covered and maintained at a temperature of 22° C. The ants are observed for mortality daily.

(20) For the fire ants, corn grit is used as a bait matrix. Corn grit bait is prepared using a mixture of defatted corn grit (80%), soybean oil (19.9%), acetone, and the active ingredient (0.1%). Petri dishes are supplied with a water source. Fire ant adults are placed into each dish. The next day, 250 mg of bait in bait containers is placed into the dishes. The ants are observed for mortality daily.

(21) For house flies. Bait tests are conducted with adults aged 2-5 days post-emergence. Active ingredient in acetone is applied to a bait matrix consisting of a 1:1 mixture of powdered milk and sugar which was then allowed to dry. Assays are conducted in jars with 250 mg of bait in a pan placed in the bottom of each jar. House flies are placed into the bait jars which are covered. The test jars are held at 22° C. Test jars are observed at 4 hours after treatment for knockdown (death plus morbidity (unable to stay upright).

(22) For termites, active ingredient in acetone is applied to filter papers. % a.i. are calculated on basis of the weight of the filter paper. Acetone only is applied for untreated controls. Treated papers are vented to evaporate the acetone, moistened with ml water, and placed Petri dishes with sand. Water is added during the test as needed. Bioassays are conducted with one treated filter and ca. 30 termite workers per test dish. Test dishes are maintained at 25° C. and appr. 85% relative humidity and observed daily for mortality (dead or moribund insects) or intoxication. Dead or moribund insects are removed daily.

(23) For cockroaches, plastic roach boxes with ventilated lids are used as test arenas. The top 3-4 cm of the arenas are treated with Vaseline and mineral oil to prevent roaches from escaping. Water is provided as needed. The bait is prepared using ground cat chow, and the active ingredient in acetone is incorporated on a weight-to-weight ratio. The treated chow is allowed to dry. The cockroaches are placed in the boxes and starved for 24 hours prior to bait introduction. 0.03 grams of bait per box are placed in a weigh boat. The boxes are maintained at 22° C. and observed daily for mortality of the cockroaches.