Use of one or more fatty acid esters as insecticide and/or arachnicide

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of one or more fatty acid esters, particularly 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate, or a mixture of fatty acid esters as insecticide and/or arachnicide and moreover relates to insecticide and/or arachnicide compositions containing same. The invention also relates to a method for controlling insects and/or arachnids.

Claims

1. A method for controlling insects and/or arachnids comprising contacting a plant or a part thereof or soil with an effective dose of 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said insects are from the family Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera and/or Coleoptera and/or arthropods from the family Acari.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising contacting fruit, ornamental, cereal, kitchen garden or oleaginous crops.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the soil is infested is with insects and/or arachnids.

5. A method for controlling insects and/or arachnids comprising contacting a plant or a part thereof or soil with an effective dose of a concentrate comprising 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate, a surfactant and less than 20% by weight of a hydrocarbon-containing aromatic solvent.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the concentrate further comprises a second insecticide and/or arachnicide compound.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the soil is infested is with insects and/or arachnids.

8. A method for controlling insects and/or arachnids comprising contacting a plant or a part thereof or soil with an effective dose of a concentrate comprising 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate and a surfactant with the exception of the salts of alkyl aryl sulphonic acid and alkyl biphenyl sulphonic acid.

9. The method according to claim 8, in which the surfactant is a biosurfactant.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the soil is infested is with insects and/or arachnids.

11. A method for controlling insects and/or arachnids comprising contacting a plant or a part thereof or soil with an effective dose of a solution comprising a concentrate comprising 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate, a surfactant and less than 20% by weight of a hydrocarbon-containing aromatic solvent and water.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the solution is an emulsion, a dispersion or a dilution of the concentrate.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the soil is infested is with insects and/or arachnids.

14. A method for repelling insects and/or arachnids comprising spraying a compound of formula (I) or a mixture of compounds of formula (I) or a solution comprising a concentrate comprising a compound of formula (I) or a mixture of compounds of formula (I), a surfactant and less than 20% by weight of a hydrocarbon-containing aromatic solvent and water onto skin or clothing of a human, wherein formula (I) is ##STR00004## in which: p is an integer comprised between 0 and 1, q is an integer comprised between 0 and 3, n is an integer comprised between 1 and 5, and R.sup.1 is an alkyl chain containing 7 to 13 carbon atoms.

15. A method for controlling insects and/or arachnids comprising contacting a plant or a part thereof or soil with an effective dose of a compound of formula (I) or of a mixture of compounds of formula (I): ##STR00005## in which: p is an integer comprised between 0 and 1, q is an integer comprised between 0 and 3, n is an integer comprised between 1 and 5, and R.sup.1 is an alkyl chain containing 7 to 13 carbon atoms, wherein said compound of formula (I) or said mixture of compounds of formula (I) is the only active ingredient applied to said plant or a part thereof or soil.

16. The method according to claim 15, in which q=p=0 and optionally n=2.

17. The method according to claim 15, in which a compound of formula (I) is 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate.

18. The method according to claim 15, in which p=n=1, and q=3.

19. The method according to claim 15, in which R.sup.1 is an alkyl chain containing 9 to 11 carbon atoms.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said insects are from the family Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera and/or Coleoptera and/or arthropods from the family Acari.

21. The method according to claim 15, comprising contacting fruit, ornamental, cereal, kitchen garden or oleaginous crops.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein the soil is infested is with insects and/or arachnids.

Description

(1) The invention will be better understood in view of the examples which follow given by way of illustration, with reference to the figures, which show respectively:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating the results of the insecticide efficacy of a composition containing only an adjuvant in comparison with those of a composition containing the same adjuvant with an insecticide product according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a diagram illustrating the dose-response effect of the insecticide efficacy of a composition containing an insecticide product according to the invention at different doses.

EXAMPLE 1

Compositions and the Preparation Thereof

(4) 1.a) A composition according to the invention is obtained by mixing 0.1 mL of an adjuvant Actirob B (adjuvant containing methyl esters from rapeseed oil with ionic and non-ionic surfactants) with 0.9 mL of 3-methylbutyl dodecanoate (also known by the name isoamyl laurate). This mixture is stirred vigorously by hand for 30 seconds, then for 30 seconds in a Vortex mixer. The mixture is then emulsified in water immediately prior to use.

(5) 1.b) A composition according to the invention is obtained by mixing 0.1 mL of an adjuvant Actirob B with 0.9 mL of 2-ethylhexyl caprate according to the method described in 1.a).

(6) 1.c) By way of comparison, a composition is obtained by mixing 0.1 mL of an adjuvant Actirob B with 0.9 mL of 2-ethylhexyl palmitate according to the method described in 1.a).

EXAMPLE 2

Efficacy on Aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi)

(7) The trial was carried out on wheat infected with aphids.

(8) Preparation of the Aphid Population

(9) Rhopalosiphum padi aphids are reared on wheat in the laboratory. The rearing conditions are as follows: 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(10) Preparation of the Seedlings

(11) Triticum aestivum wheat of the Apache variety is grown under the following conditions: 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%. For the experiments, seedlings having reached stage 12 on the BBCH-scale, i.e. 2 leaves, are chosen.

(12) Experiment 2.a)

(13) On D-1, 3 adult aphids are placed on each wheat seedling (approximately 30 seedlings per dose tested). The seedlings are kept for 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(14) On day D, the seedlings are treated with a composition as described in Example 1.a.). Emulsions containing the following doses of isoamyl laurate were tested: 1.35 L/ha (N/4), 2.7 L/ha (N/2), 5.7 L/ha (N), 10.8 L/ha (2N) and 16.2 L/ha (3N). Two controls are carried out: a first control using water and a second control using the adjuvant, tested alone, at a dose of 1.8 L/ha, which corresponds to the dose of adjuvant contained in dose 3N of isoamyl laurate. The volume of composition sprayed corresponds to the equivalent of 200 L/ha.

(15) For the treatment, nozzles are used to spray the different emulsions and to produce a good distribution of the drops over the plants (TeeJet 100015-VS flat spray nozzle used on a Euro-Pulv laboratory sprayer).

(16) Results 2.a)

(17) On D+1, D+3, D+7, the adults and larvae present on each seedling are counted.

(18) Statistical analysis is carried out using XLSTATS and a variance analysis is carried out using a Newman-Keuls and a Dunnett's test. The Dunnett's tests used post hoc following an ANOVA give a probability of 0.00.

(19) The results are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, the very limited insecticide effect of the adjuvant on the treatment of the seedling can be seen. Moreover, in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the isoamyl laurate has an efficacy of nearly 80% at dose 3N.

(20) Experiment 2.b)

(21) On D-1, 3 adult aphids are placed on each wheat seedling (approximately 30 seedlings per dose tested). The seedlings are kept for 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(22) The seedlings are treated on day D with a composition as described in Example 1.b). An emulsion containing the following dose of 2-ethylhexyl caprate was tested: 16.2 L/ha (3N). Two controls are carried out: a first control using water and a second control using the adjuvant, tested alone, at a dose of 1.8 L/ha, which corresponds to the dose of adjuvant contained in dose 3N of 2-ethylhexyl caprate. The volume of the composition sprayed corresponds to the equivalent of 200 L/ha.

(23) For the treatment, nozzles are used to spray the different emulsions and to produce a good distribution of the drops over the plants (TeeJet 100015-VS flat spray nozzle used on a Euro-Pulv laboratory sprayer).

(24) Results 2.b)

(25) On D+1, D+3, D+7, the adults and larvae present on each seedling are counted.

(26) Statistical analysis is carried out using XLSTATS and a variance analysis is carried out using a Newman-Keuls and a Dunnett's test. The Dunnett's tests used post hoc following an ANOVA give a probability of 0.00.

(27) The insecticide effect of the adjuvant is in this instance again very limited in treating the seedling. Moreover, it should be noted that the 2-ethylhexyl caprate has an efficacy of nearly 55% at the dose 3N on D+1.

(28) Experiment 2.c)

(29) On D-1, 3 adult aphids are placed on each wheat seedling (approximately 30 seedlings per dose tested). The seedlings are kept for 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(30) The seedlings are treated on day D with a composition as described in Example 1.c). An emulsion containing the following dose of 2-ethylhexyl palmitate was tested: 16.2 L/ha (3N). Two controls are carried out: a first control with water and a second control with the adjuvant, tested alone, at a dose of 1.8 L/ha, which corresponds to the dose of the adjuvant contained in the dose 3N of 2-ethylhexyl palmitate. The volume of the composition sprayed corresponds to the equivalent of 200 L/ha.

(31) For the treatment, nozzles are used to spray the different emulsions and to produce a good distribution of the drops over the plants (TeeJet 100015-VS flat spray nozzle used on a Euro-Pulv laboratory sprayer).

(32) Results 2.c)

(33) On D+1, D+3, D+7, the adults and larvae present on each seedling are counted.

(34) Statistical analysis is carried out using XLSTATS and a variance analysis is carried out using a Newman-Keuls and a Dunnett's test. The Dunnett's tests used post hoc following an ANOVA give a probability of 0.00.

(35) The insecticide effect of the adjuvant is in this instance again very limited in treating the seedling. Moreover, it can be seen that the 2-ethylhexyl palmitate has an efficacy of approximately 10% at the dose 3N on D+1.

EXAMPLE 3

Efficacy on the European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis)

(36) The test was carried out on corn infected by the European corn borer.

(37) Preparation of the Moth Population

(38) Egg clusters from Ostrinia nubilalis are kept under controlled laboratory conditions in order to allow the eggs to develop. The eggs are kept for 14 hrs in the light and at 18 C., and for 10 hrs in the dark at 15 C. at a relative humidity varying from 60 to 70%.

(39) After emerging, the larvae at the 1st and 2nd instar stages are used in the experiment.

(40) Preparation of the Seedlings

(41) Zea Mays corn of the variety DK315 is grown under the following conditions: 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(42) Experiment

(43) On D-1, 3 corn leaves are taken from the seedlings and placed in ventilated plastic boxes. 10 larvae are then placed onto the corn leaves in each box, the trial being repeated three times. The larvae are kept for 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(44) The leaves are treated on day D with a composition as described in Example 1.a) with a dose of isoamyl laurate equivalent to 6.0 L/ha.

(45) For the treatment, nozzles are used to spray the composition in example 1.a) and to produce a good distribution of the drops onto the plants (TeeJet 110015-VS flat spray nozzle used on a Euro-Pulv laboratory sprayer). The volume of the composition sprayed corresponds to the equivalent of 200 L/ha.

(46) Results

(47) On D+3, the larvae and adults present in each box are counted.

(48) Statistical analysis is carried out using XLSTATS and a variance analysis is carried out using a Newman-Keuls and a Dunnett's test. The Dunnett's tests used post hoc following an ANOVA give a probability of 0.05.

(49) At a dose of 6.0 L/ha of isoamyl laurate, 19.5% efficacy is obtained against the larvae and adults of the European corn borer.

EXAMPLE 4

Efficacy on Pollen Beetles

(50) The efficacy of isoamyl laurate against pollen beetles has been evaluated according to a protocol based on IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) method no.11, version 3, June 2009.

(51) Preparation of the Pollen Beetle Population

(52) Pollen beetles are collected from different locations in infested fields. They are then kept in ventilated plastic boxes, in the bottom of which a dry paper has been placed. A number of oilseed rape leaves as well as 2 to 3 oilseed rape in flower are added as a food source. As it is important that the pollen beetles are not subjected to excessive temperatures, to humid conditions or other sources of stress following collection, they are kept under the following conditions: 14 hrs in the light at 18 C., and 10 hrs in darkness at 15 C. at a relative humidity (RH) of 60-70%.

(53) Preparation of the Solutions to be Tested

(54) The isoamyl laurate product was solubilized in acetone. Each solution was then placed in a homogeneous manner on the inside of a glass phial 2 cm in diameter and 4 cm in height, until the acetone has completely evaporated. The quantity of insecticide provided by 0.5 mL of acetone solution is calculated in such a way that a unit of area of the phial is covered with the same quantity of insecticide as that carried by the same unit of area of a leaf belonging to a field having undergone a treatment at 200 L/ha.

(55) Experiment

(56) 10 pollen beetles are introduced into each phial, each trial being carried out twice.

(57) Mortality is evaluated after 24 hrs.

(58) Results

(59) Table 1 below shows the efficacy obtained according to the dose tested after 24 hrs.

(60) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Efficacy (%) Pollen beetles Meligethes aeneus Strains resistant to Product Dose L/ha Susceptible pyrethroids Isoamyl laurate 2.0 L/ha 55% 40% 4.0 L/ha 90% 75%

EXAMPLE 5

Efficacy on the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

(61) The efficacy of isoamyl laurate on Colorado potato beetles has been evaluated according to a protocol based on IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) method no.7, version 3, June 2009.

(62) Preparation of the Colorado Potato Beetle Population

(63) Eggs from the Colorado potato beetle are collected from fields and placed on the lower (abaxial) surface of potato leaves. After 4 to 15 days, the hatching of the eggs takes place, producing dark red-brown larvae.

(64) Preparation and Treatment of the Potato Leaves

(65) Potato leaves are treated by soaking for 5 seconds in a composition as described in Example 1.a) at a dose of isoamyl laurate equivalent to 6.0 L/ha.

(66) Experiment

(67) The potato leaves are infested on the abaxial face thereof with 5 Colorado potato beetle larvae at stage L4. Each trial is repeated a second time.

(68) Results

(69) Mortality is evaluated after 5 hrs. At a dose of 6.0 L/ha of isoamyl laurate, 10% efficacy is obtained on the Colorado potato beetle larvae.