Title of Invention

PESTICIDE COMPOSITION

Abstract The present invention relates to novel pesticide compositions in the form of a gel material or a solid material which are suitable for combating arthropod pests, in particular insects. The pesticide composition in the form of a gel or solid contains: i) 0.001 to 50% by weight of at least one pesticide compound which is effective against arthropod pest, ii) 0.5 to 20% by weight of at least one superabsorbent polymer P having an absorption capacity for deionised water of at least 100 g per 1 g of polymer P, and iii) 5 to 94.5% by weight of at least one filler material different from water, and iv) 5 to 94.5% by weight of water, wherein the % by weight are based on the total weight of the composition. The present invention also relates to the use of the pesticide compositions as described herein for combating arthropod pests and to a method for combating arthropod pests, which comprises applying a gel composition as defined herein either directly or as an aqueous dilution to a location where the arthropod pest gets into contact with said composition.
Full Text Pesticide composition
The present invention relates to novel pesticide compositions in the form of a gel
material or a solid material which are suitable for combating arthropod pests, in
particular insects.
Arthropod pests and in particular pests from the classes of insects and arachnids
destroy growing and harvested crops and attack wooden dwelling and commercial
structures, causing large economic loss to the food supply and to property. The may
also act as vectors for human, animal and plant diseases and cause hygienic
problems. Therefore, much effort has been spent to provide methods for effective pest
control. Most of these methods rely on the application of organic compounds which
interfere with the metabolism of the pest to be controlled. For effective control it is
required that the pest gets into contact with or even ingests the active compound or a
metabolite thereof. Therefore, it is required that the active organic compound is
formulated and applied in a manner that ensures contact of the pest with the active
compound or uptake of the active compound by the pest to be controlled.
In plant protection, pesticide compounds are mostly applied as aqueous spray broth or
as dusts in order to achieve uniform distribution of the pesticide compound. The
aqueous spray liquor is generally obtained by diluting a suitable pesticide concentrate
formulation. Since most of the pesticide compounds are water insoluble, the
concentrate formulations contain considerable amounts of surfactants. Due to the
presence of surfactants rain may leach out the pesticide compound which results in a
loss of activity and/or effectiveness.
Other application forms of pesticide compounds include solid or gel-like formulations
which are applied directly to the locus where the pest is expected to occur in order to
achieve ingestion or contact of pesticide compound with/by the pest to be controlled.
Naturally, the applied formulations are subjected to climatic conditions which often lead
to an aging of the formulation and a loss of effectiveness.
WO 91/07972 describes gel-type bait formulations for combating insects which
comprise water, an insecticidally active ingredient and an effective amount of
carrageenan for causing the water and the insecticidally active ingredient to form a gel.
WO 97/11602 discloses gel baits for controlling insects, comprising a hydration-gellable
substance and an active ingredient selected from the group of 1-arylpyrazoles. The

gellable substance is selected from gellan gum, carrageenan, agar agar, gelatine,
jelutong gum, xanthan gum, locust gum, polysaccharide gums.
WO 2006/055275 discloses a gel formulation for combating flies containing one or
more neonicotinoids, one or more gelling agents and one or more attractants, the gel
having a Brookfield yield value between 50 and 1000 and a Brookfield viscosity
between 20000 and 200000 mPa.s. Starches, gellan gum, jelutong gum, carrageenan
gum, agar agar, casein, gelatine, carob gum (locust gum), xanthan gum,
polysaccharide gum, phycocolloids, polyacrylate polymers, semisynthetic cellulose
derivatives such as carboxymethyl-cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy vinylates,
bentonites, silicates and colloidal silica are suggested as gelling agents, with particular
preferences given to xanthan gum and water-soluble polyacrylate polymers of the
Rhodopol G and Carbopol EZ-2 type.
The activity of the aforementioned gel formulations is not satisfactory, in particular the
long-time activity, since upon aging of the formulation a considerable loss of
effectiveness occurs.
WO89/12450 discloses insecticidal delivery compositions for controlling a population of
terrestrial insects or pests comprising at least one superabsorbent polymer which is
capable of absorbing over 100 times of its weight in water and at least one insecticidal
or pesticidal compound. The superabsorbent polymers serve for incorporation or
encapsulation of the pesticidal compound. This document does not address the
problem of aging of directly applicable formulations nor the problem of leaching when
the pesticide compound is applied as a sprayable liquor. Moreover, the compositions
disclosed in WO89/12450 are not satisfactory with regard to these problems.
DE 10124297 discloses formulations of active compounds for plant protection
comprising superabsorbent polymers, which provide a reduced phytotoxicity of the
active compound and thus are suitable for use in nutrient media for plants. The
formulations are obtained by kneading the superabsorbent polymer and the active
ingredient in the presence of water. The effectiveness of these formulations is not
entirely satisfactory. This document does not address the problems associated with
leaching and aging.
DE 10157350 discloses formulations of active compounds comprising superabsorbent
polymers which are obtained by kneading the superabsorbent polymer and the active
ingredient in the presence of water. The tested formulations contain fungicides. The

effectiveness of these compositions is not entirely satisfactory. This document does not
address the problems associated with leaching and aging.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pesticidal composition which can be
applied directly or as an aqueous spray liquor and which overcomes the problems of
prior art. In particular, the compositions should provide an increased activity of the
pesticide compound and/or reduce aging or leaching.
It was surprisingly found that these and further objects can be achieved by pesticide
compositions in the form of a gel or a solid which besides at least one pesticide
compound contain from 0.5 to 20% by weight of at least one superabsorbent polymer P
having an absorption capacity for deionised water of least 100 g/1 g of polymer P, from
5 to 94.5% by weight of at least one filler material, different from water, and from 5 to
94.5% by weight of water, wherein the carrier material together with the
superabsorbent polymer P and with the water provides the pesticide composition with a
gel-like or solid texture.
Therefore, the invention relates to a pesticide composition in the form of a gel or solid
which contains
i) 0.001 to 50% by weight of at least one pesticide compound which is effective
against arthropod pest,
ii) 0.5 to 20% by weight of at least one superabsorbent polymer P having an
absorption capacity for deionised water of at least 100 g per 1 g of polymer P,
and
iii) 5 to 94.5% by weight of at least one filler material different from water, and
iv) 5 to 94.5% by weight of water,
wherein the % by weight are based on the total weight of the composition.
The present invention also relates to the use of the pesticide compositions as
described herein for combating arthropod pests and to a method for combating
arthropod pests, which comprises applying a gel composition as defined herein either
directly or as an aqueous dilution to a location where the arthropod pest gets into
contact with said composition.
The compositions of the present invention have a solid or gel-like texture. The texture
of the composition is primarily provided by coaction of the filler material together with
the superabsorbent polymer P and the water present in the composition. The
compositions of the present invention provide a superior long-lasting pesticidal activity,
in particular in comparison with conventional get-type or solid formulations. Moreover,

they have a higher activity in comparison with conventional formulations of pesticide
compounds and thus allow a reduction of the application rate of the pesticide
compound. Moreover, they show a better storage stability in comparison with
conventional liquid formulations. In particular they do not show separation of active
material upon storage.
According to the invention, the pesticide composition comprises at least one pesticide
compound, which is active against arthropod pest. Generally, the pesticide compound
is a non-polymeric organic compound having a molecular weight ranging from 150 to
1000 Dalton. Suitable pesticide compounds may be solid or liquid at room temperature.
The pesticide composition according to the invention preferably contains from 0.01 to
20% by weight, in particular from 0.01 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.02 to 5%
by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one active
compound, e.g. 1,2,3 or 4 different active compounds, which is (are) active against at
least one arthropod pest, in particular against at least one insect species. Of course,
the compounds may be chosen in a manner to achieve activity against more than one
insect species.
Pesticides compounds which are suitable for the compositions of the present invention,
include but are not limited to:
A.1. Organo(thio)phosphates: e.g. acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-methyl,
chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicrotophos,
dimethoate, disulfoton, ethion, fenitrothion, fenthion, isoxathion, malathion,
methamidophos, methidathion, methyl-parathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos,
oxydemeton-methyi, paraoxon, parathion, phenthoate, phosalone, phosmet,
phosphamidon, phorate, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, prothiofos, sulprophos,
tetrachlorvinphos, terbufos, triazophos, trichlorfon;
A.2. Carbamates: e.g. alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, carbaryl,
carbofuran, carbosulfan, fenoxycarb, furathiocarb, methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl,
pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, triazamate;
A.3. Pyrethroids: e.g. allethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyphenothrin,
cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin,
esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, imiprothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin,
permethrin, prallethrin, pyrethrin I and II, resmethrin, silafiuofen, tau-fluvalinate,
tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, profluthrin, dimefluthrin;

A.4. Growth regulators: a) chitin synthesis inhibitors: e.g. benzoylureas: chlorfluazuron,
diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron,
teflubenzuron, triflumuron; buprofezin, diofenolan, hexythiazox, etoxazole, clofentazine;
b) ecdysone antagonists: e.g. halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide,
azadirachtin; c) juvenoids: e.g. pyriproxyfen, methoprene, fenoxycarb; d) lipid
biosynthesis inhibitors: e.g. spirodiclofen, spiromesifen or spirotetramat;
A.5. Nicotinic receptor agonists/antagonists compounds (nicotinoid insecticides or
neonicotinoids): e.g. clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram,
acetamiprid, thiacloprid or the thiazol compound of formula P1

A.6. GABA antagonist compounds: e.g. acetoprole, endosulfan, ethiprole, fipronil,
vaniliprole, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, or the phenylpyrazole compound of formula P2
(5-amino-3-(aminothiocarbonyl)-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-
4-(trifluoromethylsulfinyl)-pyrazole)

and compounds of the formula P5 as described hereinafter, in particular the
compounds of the formulae P5a and P5b;
A.7. Macrocyclic lactone insecticides: abamectin, emamectin, milbemectin, lepimectin,
spinosad, the compound of formula P3 (CAS No. 187166-40-1)


A.8. Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors (METII compounds): e.g.
fenazaquin, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, flufenerim;
A.9. Mitochondrial complex II and/or complex III electron transport inhibitors (METI II
and III compounds): e.g. acequinocyl, fiuacyprim, hydramethylnon;
A.10. Uncoupler compounds: e.g. chlorfenapyr;
A.11. Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor compounds: cyhexatin, diafenthiuron,
fenbutatin oxide, propargite;
A.12. Moulting disruptor compounds: e.g. cyromazine;
A.13. Mixed function oxidase inhibitor compounds: e.g. piperonyl butoxide;
A.M. Sodium channel blocker compounds: e.g. indoxacarb, metaflumizone,
A.15. Various: benclothiaz, bifenazate, cartap, flonicamid, pyridalyl, pymetrozine,
sulfur, thiocyclam, flubendiamide, cyenopyrafen, flupyrazofos, cyflumetofen,
amidoflumet, the aminoquinazolinone compound of formula P4 (1-Acetyl-2-oxo-
3-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)amino-6-heptafluorpropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline)

compounds of the formula P5:


wherein X and Y are each independently halogen, in particular chlorine;
W is halogen or C1-C2-haloalkyl, in particular trifluoromethyl;
R1 is C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or
C3-C6-cycloalkyl each of which may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 halogen
atoms; in particular R1 is methyl or ethyl;
R2 and R3 are C1-C6-alkyl, in particular methyl, or may form together with the
adjacent carbon atom a C3-C6-cycloalkyl moiety, in particular a cyclopropyl
moiety, which may carry 1, 2 or 3 halogen atoms, examples including
2,2-dichlorocyclopropyl and 2,2-dibromocyclopropyl; and
R4 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, in particular hydrogen methyl or ethyl;
e.g. the compounds of the following formulae P5a and P5b:

wherein A1 is CH3, CI, Br, I, X is C-H, C-CI, C-F or N, Y' is F, CI, or Br, Y" is F, CI,
CF3, B1 is hydrogen, CI, Br, I, CN, B2 is CI, Br, CF3, OCH2CF3, OCF2H, and RB is
hydrogen, CH3 or CH(CH3)2;

and malononitrile compounds as described in JP 2002 284608, WO 02/89579,
WO 02/90320, WO 02/90321, WO 04/06677, WO 04/20399, or JP 2004 99597.
Suitable pesticide compounds also include microorganisms such as Bacillus
thuringiensis, Bacillus tenebrionis and Bacillus subtilis.
Suitable pesticide compounds are described in "The Pesticide Manual", 13th Edition,
British Crop Protection Council (2003) among other publications. Thiamides of formula
P2 and their preparation have been described in WO 98/28279. Lepimection is known
from Agro Project, PJB Publications Ltd, November 2004. Benclothiaz and its
preparation have been described in EP-A 454621. Methidathion and Paraoxon and
their preparation have been described in Farm Chemicals Handbook, Volume 88,
Meister Publishing Company, 2001. Acetoprole and its preparation have been
described in WO 98/28277. Metaflumizone and its preparation have been described in
EP-A 462 456. Flupyrazofos has been described in Pesticide Science 54, 1988, p. 237-
243 and in US 4822779. Pyrafluprole and its preparation have been described in
JP 2002193709 and in WO 01/00614. Pyriprole and its preparation have been
described in WO 98/45274 and in US 6335357. Amidoflumet and its preparation have
been described in US 6221890 and in JP 21010907. Flufenerim and its preparation
have been described in WO 03/007717 and in WO 03/007718. Cyflumetofen and its
preparation have been described in WO 04/080180. Compounds of the formula P5
have been e.g. described in EP-A 604798. Anthranilamides of formula P6 and their
preparation have been described in WO 01/70671, WO 02/48137, WO 03/24222,
WO 03/15518, WO 04/67528, WO 04/33468 and WO 05/118552.
Preferred compositions contain at least one insecticide compound selected from the
group of pyrethroids, GABA antagonist compounds, sodium channel blocker
compounds, nicotinic receptor agonists/antagonists compounds, compound of the
formula P5, compound of the formula P6 and uncoupler compounds. Particular
preferred compositions contain at least one insecticide compound selected from the
group consisting of bifenthrin, tefluthrin, -cypermethrin or lambda cyhalotrin, ethiprole,
pyriprole and fipronil, metaflumizone, acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid,
nitenpyram, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinetofuran, a compound of the formula P5, in
particular of the formulae P5a or P5b, a compound of the formula P6 and chlorfenapyr.
In a preferred embodiment, the pesticide composition contains at least one pesticide
compound selected from the group of pyrethroids, in particular selected from bifenthrin,
tefluthrin, -cypermethrin or lambda cyhalotrin.

In another preferred embodiment, the pesticide composition contains at least one
pesticide compound selected from the group of GABA antagonist compounds, in
particular selected from ethiprole, pyriprole and fipronil. In this embodiment, the
pesticide composition may contain at least one pesticide compound selected from the
compounds of the formula P5, in particular the compounds of the formulae P5a or P5b.
In a further preferred embodiment, the pesticide composition contains at least one
pesticide compound selected from the group of sodium channel blocker compounds, in
particular metaflumizone.
In a further preferred embodiment, the pesticide composition contains at least one
pesticide compound selected from the group of nicotinic receptor agonists/antagonists
compounds, in particular selected from acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid,
nitenpyram, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and dinetofuran.
A further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pesticide composition contains at
least one compound of the formula P5, as defined herein, in particular compound of the
formulae P5a or P5b.
A further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pesticide composition contains at
least one compound of the formula P6, as defined herein.
A further preferred embodiment of the invention, the pesticide composition contains at
least one uncoupler compound, in particular chlorfenapyr.
The pesticide composition according to the invention preferably contains from 0.5 to
20% by weight, in particular from 0.8 to 10% by weight, in particular from 1 to 5% by
weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of at least one superabsorbent
polymer.
Depending on the type of active ingredient, the compositions can be used for
combating a large number of arthropod pests, including insects and arachnids.
They are particularly useful for combating insect pests, e.g. from the following orders:
lepidopterans (Lepidoptera), for example Agrotis ypsilon, Agrotis segetum, Alabama
argillacea, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Argyresthia conjugella, Autographs gamma, Bupalus
piniarius, Cacoecia murinana, Capua reticulana, Cheimatobia brumata, Choristoneura
fumiferana, Choristoneura occidentalis, Cirphis unipuncta, Cydia pomonella,

Dendrolimus pini, Diaphania nitidalis, Diatraea grandiosella, Earias insulana,
Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eupoecilia ambiguella, Evetria bouliana, Feltia subterranea,
Galleria mellonella, Grapholitha funebrana, Grapholitha molesta, Heliothis armigera,
Heliothis virescens, Heliothis zea, Hellula undalis, Hibernia defoliaria, Hyphantria
cunea, Hyponomeuta malinellus, Keiferia lycopersicella, Lambdina fiscellaria,
Laphygma exigua, Leucoptera coffeella, Leucoptera scitella, Lithocolletis blancardella,
Lobesia botrana, Loxostege sticticalis, Lymantria dispar, Lymantria monacha, Lyonetia
clerkella, Malacosoma neustria, Mamestra brassicae, Orgyia pseudotsugata, Ostrinia
nubilalis, Panolisflammea, Pectinophora gossypiella, Peridroma saucia, Phalera
bucephala, Phthorimaea operculella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Pieris brassicae, Plathypena
scabra, Plutella xylostella, Pseudoplusia includens, Rhyacionia frustrana, Scrobipalpula
absoluta, Sitotroga cerealella, Sparganothis pilleriana, Spodoptera frugiperda,
Spodoptera littoralis, Spodoptera litura, Thaumatopoea pityocampa, Tortrix viridana,
Trichoplusiani and Zeiraphera canadensis;
beetles (Coleoptera), for example Agrilus sinuatus, Agriotes lineatus, Agriotes
obscurus, Amphimallus solstitialis, Anisandrus dispar, Anthonomus grandis,
Anthonomus pomorum, Aphthona euphoridae, Athous haemorrhoidalis, Atomaria
linearis, Blastophagus piniperda, Blitophaga undata, Bruchus rufimanus, Bruchus
pisorum, Bruchus lentis, Byctiscus betulae, Cassida nebulosa, Cerotoma trifurcata,
Cetonia aurata, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Ceuthorrhynchus napi, Chaetocnema
tibialis, Conoderus vespertinus, Crioceris asparagi, Ctenicera ssp., Diabrotica
longicomis, Diabrotica semi punctata, Diabrotica 12-punctata Diabrotica speciosa,
Diabrotica virgifera, Epilachna varivestis, Epitrix hirtipennis, Eutinobothrus brasiliensis,
Hylobius abietis, Hypera brunneipennis, Hypera postica, Ips typographus, Lema
bilineata, Lema melanopus, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Limonius californicus,
Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Melanotus communis, Meligethes aeneus, Melolontha
hippocastani, Melolontha melolontha, Oulema oryzae, Ortiorrhynchus sulcatus,
Otiorrhynchus ovatus, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllobius pyri, Phyllotreta
chrysocephala, Phyllophaga sp., Phyllopertha horticola, Phyllotreta nemorum,
Phyllotreta striolata, Popillia japonica, Sitona lineatus and Sitophilus granaria;
flies, mosquitoes (Diptera), e.g. Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes vexans,
Anastrepha ludens, Anopheles maculipennis, Anopheles crucians, Anopheles
albimanus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles freebomi, Anopheles leucosphyrus,
Anopheles minimus, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, bactrocera olea, Calliphora vicina,
Ceratitis capitata, Chrysomya bezziana, Chrysomya hominivorax, Chrysomya
macellaria, Chrysops discalis, Chrysops silacea, Chrysops atlanticus, Cochliomyia
hominivorax, Contarinia sorghicola Cordylobia anthropophaga, Culicoides furens,

Culex pipiens, Culex nigripalpus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tarsalis, Culiseta
inornata, Culiseta melanura, Dacus cucurbitae, Dacus oleae, Dasineura brassicae,
Delia antique, Delia coarctata, Delia platura, Delia radicum, Dermatobia hominis,
Fannia canicularis, Geomyza Tripunctata, Gasterophilus intestinalis, Glossina
morsitans, Glossina palpalis, Glossina fuscipes, Glossina tachinoides, Haematobia
irritans, Haplodiplosis equestris, Hippelates spp., Hylemyia platura, Hypoderma lineata,
Leptoconops torrens, Liriomyza sativae, Liriomyza trifolii, Lucilia caprina, Lucilia
cuprina, Lucilia sericata, Lycoria pectoralis, Mansonia titillanus, Mayetiola destructor,
Musca domestica, Muscina stabulans, Oestrus ovis, Opomyza florum, Oscinella frit,
Pegomya hysocyami, Phorbia antiqua, Phorbia brassicae, Phorbia coarctata,
Phlebotomus argentipes, Psorophora columbiae, Psila rosae, Psorophora discolor,
Prosimulium mixtum, Rhagoletis cerasi, Rhagoletis pomonella, Sarcophaga
haemorrhoidalis, Sarcophaga sp., Simulium vittatum, Stomoxys calcitrans, Tabanus
bovinus, Tabanus atratus, Tabanus lineola, and Tabanus similis, Tipula oleracea, and
Tipula paludosa;
thrips (Thysanoptera), e.g. Dichromothrips corbetti, Dichromothrips ssp , Frankliniella
fusca, Frankliniella occidentalis, Frankliniella tritici, Scirtothrips citri, Thrips oryzae,
Thrips palmi and Thrips tabaci;
termites (Isoptera), e.g. Calotermes flavicollis, Leucotermes flavipes, Heterotermes
aureus, Reticulitermes flavipes, Reticulitermes virginicus, Reticulitermes lucifugus,
Termes natalensis, and Coptotermes formosanus;
cockroaches (Blattodea), e.g. Blattella germanica, Blattella asahinae, Periplaneta
americana, Periplaneta japonica, Periplaneta brunnea, Periplaneta fuligginosa,
Periplaneta australasiae, and Blatta orientalis;
true bugs (Hemiptera), e.g. Acrosternum hilare, Blissus leucopterus, Cyrtopeltis
notatus, Dysdercus cingulatus, Dysdercus intermedius, Eurygaster integriceps,
Euschistus impictiventris, Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygus lineolaris, Lygus pratensis,
Nezara viridula, Piesma quadrata, Solubea insularis , Thyanta perditor, Acyrthosiphon
onobrychis, Adelges laricis, Aphidula nasturtii, Aphis fabae, Aphis forbesi, Aphis pomi,
Aphis gossypii, Aphis grossulariae, Aphis schneideri, Aphis spiraecola, Aphis sambuci,
Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aulacorthum solani, Bemisia argentifolii, Brachycaudus cardui,
Brachycaudus helichrysi, Brachycaudus persicae, Brachycaudus prunicola,
Brevicoryne brassicae, Capitophorus horni, Cerosipha gossypii, Chaetosiphon
fragaefolii, Cryptomyzus ribis, Dreyfusia nordmannianae, Dreyfusia piceae, Dysaphis
radicola, Dysaulacorthum pseudosolani, Dysaphis plantaginea, Dysaphis pyri,

Empoasca fabae, Hyalopterus pruni, Hyperomyzus lactucae, Macrosiphum avenae,
Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Macrosiphon rosae, Megoura viciae, Melanaphis pyrarius,
Metopolophium dirhodum, Myzus persicae, Myzus ascalonicus, Myzus cerasi, Myzus
varians, Nasonovia ribis-nigri, Nilaparvata lugens, Pemphigus bursarius, Perkinsiella
saccharicida, Phorodon humuli, Psylla mali, Psylla piri, Rhopalomyzus ascalonicus,
Rhopalosiphum maidis, Rhopalosiphum padi, Rhopalosiphum insertum, Sappaphis
mala, Sappaphis mali, Schizaphis graminum, Schizoneura lanuginosa, Sitobion
avenae, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Toxoptera aurantiiand, Viteus vitifolii, Cimex
lectularius, Cimex hemipterus, Reduvius senilis, Triatoma spp., and Arilus critatus;
ants, bees, wasps, sawflies (Hymenoptera), e.g. Athalia rosae, Atta cephaiotes, Atta
capiguara, Atta cephaiotes, Atta laevigata, Atta robusta, Atta sexdens, Atta texana,
Crematogasterspp., Hoplocampa minuta, Hoplocampa testudinea, Monomorium
pharaonis, Solenopsis geminata, Solenopsis invicta, Solenopsis richteri, Solenopsis
xyloni, Pogonomyrmex barbatus, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Pheidole megacephala,
Dasymutilia occidentalis, Bombus spp. Vespula squamosa, Paravespula vulgaris,
Paravespula pennsylvanica, Paravespula germanica, Dolichovespula maculata, Vespa
crabro, Polistes rubiginosa, Camponotus floridanus, and Linepithema humile;
crickets, grasshoppers, locusts (Orthoptera), e.g. Acheta domestica, Gryllotalpa
gryllotalpa, Locusta migratoria, Melanoplus bivittatus, Melanoplus femurrubrum,
Melanoplus mexicanus, Melanoplus sanguinipes, Melanoplus spretus, Nomadacris
septemfasciata, Schistocerca americana, Schistocerca gregaria, Dociostaurus
maroccanus, Tachycines asynamorus, Oedaleus senegalensis, Zonozerus variegatus,
Hieroglyphus daganensis, Kraussaria angulifera, Calliptamus italicus, Chortoicetes
terminifera, and Locustana pardalina;
earwigs (Dermaptera), e.g. forficula auricularia;
silverfish, firebrat (Thysanura), e.g. Lepisma saccharina and Thermobia domestica;
lice (Phthiraptera), e.g. Pediculus humanus capitis, Pediculus humanus corporis,
Pthirus pubis, Haematopinus eurysternus, Haematopinus suis, Linognathus vituli,
Bovicola bovis, Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus and Solenopotes
capillatus; and
fleas (Siphonaptera), e.g. Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Xenopsylia
cheopis, Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus.

They are likewise useful for combating arachnid pests (Arachnida), e.g. from the
following families: Argasidae, Ixodidae and Sarcoptidae, such as Amblyomma
americanum, Amblyomma variegatum, Ambryomma maculatum, Argas persicus,
Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Boophilus microplus, Dermacentor
silvarum, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor variabilis, Hyalomma truncatum,
Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes rubicundus, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes holocyclus, Ixodes
pacificus, Omithodorus moubata, Ornithodorus hermsi, Omithodorus turicata,
Omithonyssus bacoti, Otobius megnini, Dermanyssus gallinae, Psoroptes ovis,
Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi,
Sarcoptes scabiei, and Eriophyidae spp. such as Aculus schlechtendali, Phyllocoptrata
oleivora and Eriophyes sheidoni; Tarsonemidae spp. such as Phytonemus pallidus and
Polyphagotarsonemus latus; Tenuipalpidae spp. such as Brevipalpus phoenicis;
Tetranychidae spp. such as Tetranychus cinnabarinus, Tetranychus kanzawai,
Tetranychus pacificus, Tetranychus telarius and Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus
ulmi, Panonychus citri, and Oligonychus pratensis; Araneida, e.g. Latrodectus
mactans, and Loxosceles reclusa,
They are likewise useful for combating myriapod pests (myriapoda) e.g. of the orders
centipedes (Chilopoda), such as Scutigera coleoptrata, and millipedes (Diplopoda), e.g.
Narceus spp..
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pesticide compound is selected from a
compound that is active against at least one insect species selected from the following
orders: hymenoptera, blattodea, in particular of the families blattidae and blattellidae,
isoptera, diptera and lepidoptera. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
pesticide compound is selected from a compound that is active against at least one
plant damaging insect species selected from the following orders: hymenoptera,
isoptera, diptera, coleoptera and lepidoptera.
In a particular preferred embodiment, the pesticide compound is selected from a
compound which is active against coleopteran species, in particular diabrotica species.
In a further particular preferred embodiment, the pesticide compound is selected from a
compound which is active against blattodea species.
In a further particular preferred embodiment, the pesticide compound is selected from a
compound which is active against diptera specides, in particular ceratitis spp. such as
ceratitis capitata, and bactrocera species such as bactrocera olea.

A skilled person is familiar with such compounds and knows which compounds are
active against a specific target organism.
Superabsorbent polymers are well-known synthetic organic polymers which are solid
and hydrophilic, which are insoluble in water, and which are capable of absorbing a
multiple of their weight of water or aqueous solutions, thereby forming a water
containing polymer gel. Superabsorbent polymers according to the present invention
are generally capable of absorbing at least 100 parts by weight of water per one part by
weight of superabsorbent polymer (deionised water at 25°C, pH 7.5, 1 bar). The
amount of water or aqueous solution a superabsorbent polymer is capable of absorbing
is also termed as absorption capacity or maximal absorption. For purposes of the
invention, superabsorbent polymers are preferred which have an absorption capacity
for deionised water (pH 7.5, 25°C, 1 bar) of at least 150 g/g, e.g. 150 to 500 g/g, in
particular 200 to 500 g/g, more preferably 300 to 500 g/g of superabsorbent polymers.
For purposes of the invention, superabsorbent polymers are preferred which have an
absorption capacity for a 0.1 % by weight aqueous solution of sodium chloride of at
least 100 g/g, in particular 100 to 300 g/g of superabsorbent polymer (pH 7.5, 25°C,
1 bar). The maximal absorption or absorption capacity can be determined by routine
methods known e.g. from F. L. Buchholz et al. "Modern Superabsorbent Polymer
Technology", Wiley-VCH 1998, p. 153 (absorbent capacity method) or EP 993 337,
example 6.
Preferred superabsorbent polymers are those which have a moderate swelling rate, i.e.
superabsorbents, wherein the time required to achieve 60% of the maximal absorption
is at most 20 minutes, in particular from 1 to 10 minutes. These values can be
determined according to standard methods as described in F. L. Buchholz et al., loc.
cit., p. 154 (swelling kinetics methods).
The superabsorbent polymers may be nonionic or ionic crosslinked polymers. For the
purpose of the invention, the superabsorbent polymer is preferably selected from
crosslinked anionic superabsorbent polymers, in particular from covalently crosslinked
anionic superabsorbent polymers. A survey of suitable superabsorbent polymers is e.g.
given in F. L. Buchholz et al., loc. cit., p. 11-14.
Crosslinked anionic superabsorbent polymers are crosslinked polymers which
comprise anionic functional groups or acidic groups, which can be neutralized in water,
e.g. sulfonic acid groups (SO3H or SO3"), phosphonate groups (PO3H2 or PO32') or
carboxylate groups (CO2H or CO2). These polymers are in principle obtainable by
copolymerizing a monoethylenically unsaturated acidic monomer and a crosslinking

monomer optionally in the presence of a grafting base and optionally in the presence of
further neutral monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. In preferred superabsorbent
polymers the carboxylate groups make up at least 80 mol-%, in particular at least
95 mol-% of the acidic groups.
Suitable acidic monomers include monoethylenically unsaturated mono- and
dicarboxylic acids having preferably from 3 to 8 carbon atoms such as acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, oc-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic
anhydride, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid
and fumaric acid; monoesters of monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids
having from 4 to 10 and preferably from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, for example monoesters
of maleic acid such as monomethyl maleate; monoethylenically unsaturated sulfonic
acids and phosphonic acids, for example vinylsulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid, sulfoethyl
acrylate, sulfoethyl methacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate,
2-hydroxy-3-acryloyloxypropylsulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropylsulfonic
acid, styrenesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, vinylphosphonic
acid and allylphosphonic acid and the salts, especially the sodium, potassium and
ammonium salts, of these acids. The acidic monomers usually make up at least 15%,
by weight, preferably at least 20% by weight, of the superabsorbent polymer, e.g. 15 to
99.9% by weight, in particular from 20 to 99.8% by weight, based on the acidic form of
the anionic superabsorbent polymer.
Preference is given to crosslinked anionic superabsorbent polymers, wherein the
polymerized acidic monomers comprise at least one monoethylenically unsaturated
carboxylic acid CA or a salt thereof. Preferably the monoethylenically unsaturated
carboxylic acid CA or the salt thereof accounts for at least 80 mol-%, in particular at
least 95 mol-% of the total amount of polymerized acidic monomeres.
Useful crosslinking monomers include compounds having at least two, for example 2,
3, 4 or 5, ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the molecule. These compounds
are also referred to as crosslinker monomers. Examples of crosslinker monomers are
N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, polyethylene glycol diacrylates and polyethylene glycol
dimethacrylates, each derived from polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight
from 106 to 8500 and preferably from 400 to 2000, trimethylolpropane triacrylate,
trimethylol propane trimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol
dimethacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol dimethacrylate, butanediol
diacrylate, butanediol dimethacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate,
diethylene glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol
diacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, dipropylene

glycol dimethacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, tripropylene glycol dimethacrylate,
allyl methacrylate, diacrylates and dimethacrylates of block copolymers of ethylene
oxide and propylene oxide, di-, tri-, tetra- or pentaacrylated or -methacrylated
polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol or
dipentaerythritol, esters of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids with
ethylenically unsaturated alcohols such as allyl alcohol, cyclohexenol and
dicyclopentenyl alcohol, e.g. allyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate, also triallylamine,
dialkyldiallylammonium halides such as dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and
diethyldiallylammonium chloride, tetraallylethylenediamine, divinylbenzene, diallyl
phthalate, polyethylene glycol divinyl ethers of polyethylene glycols having a molecular
weight from 106 to 4000, trimethylolpropane diallyl ether, butanediol divinyl ether,
pentaerythritol triallyl ether, reaction products of 1 mol of ethylene glycol diglycidyl
ether or polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether with 2 mol of pentaerythritol triallyl ether or
allyl alcohol, and divinylethyleneurea. The amount of crosslinker monomer is preferably
in the range from 0.1 to 10% by weight and especially in the range from 0.2 to 5% by
weight, based on the weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form.
Suitable grafting bases can be of natural or synthetic origin. They include oligo- and
polysaccharides such as starches, i.e. native starches from the group consisting of
corn (maize) starch, potato starch, wheat starch, rice starch, tapioca starch, sorghum
starch, manioca starch, pea starch or mixtures thereof, modified starches, starch
degradation products, for example oxidatively, enzymatically or hydrolytically degraded
starches, dextrins, for example roast dextrins, and also lower oligo- and
polysaccharides, for example cyclodextrins having from 4 to 8 ring members. Useful
oligo- and polysaccharides further include cellulose and also starch and cellulose
derivatives. It is also possible to use polyvinyl alcohols, homo- and copolymers of
N-vinylpyrrolidone, polyamines, polyamides, hydrophilic polyesters or polyalkylene
oxides, especially polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide as a grafting base. The
amount of grafting base may be up to 50% by weight of the weight of the
superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form, e.g. from 1 to 50% by weight. In a preferred
embodiment the amount of grafting base is less than 10% by weight of the weight of
the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form, or the grafting base is virtually absent
( The monomers forming the superabsorbent polymer may also contain neutral
monethylenically unsaturated monomers which do not have an acidic group. Examples
are monoethylenically hydrophilic monomers, i.e. monomers having a water solubility of
at least 80 g/l at 25°C 1 bar, including hydroxyalkyl esters of monoethylenically
monocarboxylic acids, e.g. the hydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, such as

hydroxyethylacrylate and hydroxyethylmethacrylate, amides of monoethylenically
monocarboxylic acids such as acrylamide and methacrylamide, monomers having a
polyether group, such as vinyl, allyl and methallyl ethers of polyethylene glycols and
esters of monoethylenically monocarboxylic acids and polyethers, such as
polyethylenglykol acrylate and polyethyleneglycol methacrylate. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention the neutral monomers make up from 10 to 84.9% by
weight, in particular from 20 to 79.9% by weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the
acidic form.
Preferred anionic superabsorbent polymers have a moderate charge density, i.e. the
amount of acidic groups in the superabsorbent polymer is preferably from 0.1 to 1.1
mol per 100 g of superabsorbent polymer, in particular form 0.2 to 1 mol per 100 g of
superabsorbent polymer, based on the weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the
acidic form.
In a very preferred embodiment of the invention, the superabsorbent polymer is a
crosslinked copolymer or graft copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M
which comprise at least one monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid CA or a salt
thereof and at least one amide of a monoethylenically unsaturated acid (monomer AM).
Suitable monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids CA comprise
monoethylenically unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms,
such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and monoethylenically unsaturated
dicarboxylic acids having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, such as maleic acid, fumaric acid,
itaconic acid and citraconic acid. Suitable salts of monoethylenically unsaturated
carboxylic acids CA comprise the alkali metal salts and the ammonium salts, in
particular the potassium or sodium salts. Preferred monoethylenically unsaturated
carboxylic acids CA include mono-carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, in
particular acrylic acid and methacrylic acid and the salts thereof, in particular the
alkalimetal salts thereof, and more preferably the alkali metal salts of acrylic acid,
especially the sodium salt and the potassium salt of acrylic acid.
Suitable amides of monoethylenically unsaturated acids are the amides of
monoethylenically unsaturated mono-carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, in
particular acrylamide and methacrylamide.
In this embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer is preferably a covalently crosslinked
copolymer, i.e. the superabsorbent polymer contains polymerized crosslinking
monomers besides polymerized monomers CA and AM, preferably in amounts 0.1 to

10%, in particular 0.2 to 5% by weight, based on the superabsorbent polymer in the
acidic form, the total amount of monomers AM and CA making up at least 80% by
weight and more preferably at least 90% by weight, in particular from 90 to 99.9%,
based on the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form.
Preferably, the carboxylic acid CA and the amide AM make up at least 80% by weight
and more preferably at least 90% by weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers
M forming the superabsorbent polymer.
In a particular preferred embodiment, the monomers M comprise at least 90% by
weight, based on the total weight of monomers M, of a mixture of acrylic acid or a salt
thereof, in particular an alkali metal salt thereof, more preferably the potassium salt of
acrylic acid, and acrylamide.
In particular, the superabsorbent polymer comprises in polymerized form:
15 to 89.9%, in particular 20 to 79.8% by weight of at least one carboxylic acid
CA or a salt thereof, preferably acrylic acid or a salt thereof, in particular an
alkalimetal salt thereof, more preferably the potassium salt of acrylic acid
(calculated in the acidic form),
10 to 84.9% in particular 20 to 79.8% by weight of at least one amide AM,
preferably an amide of a monoethylenically unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid
having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, in particular acrylamide; and
0.1 to 10%, in particular 0.2 to 5% by weight of at least one crosslinker monomer,
wherein the % by weight are based on the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form,
the amount of monomers AM and CA making up at least 90%, e.g. 90 to 99.9% of the
monomers forming the superabsorbent polymer or the total amount of monomers AM
and CA make up at least 80% by weight and more preferably at least 90% by weight, in
particular from 90 to 99.9%, based on the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form.
Suitable superabsorbent polymers of this type are known in the art, e.g. from
US 4,417,992, US 3,669,103 and WO 01/25493. They are also commercially available,
e.g. from SNF SA., France, under the trademark Aquasorb®, e.g. 3500 S.
In another very preferred embodiment of the invention, the superabsorbent polymer is
a crosslinked copolymer or graft copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers M
which comprise at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, based on
the total amount of monomers M, of a mixture of at least one monoethylenically
unsaturated carboxylic acid CA, preferably acrylic and at least one alkali metal salt of a
monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid CA, preferably a potassium salt or

sodium salt thereof, more preferably the potassium salt or sodium salt of acrylic acid. In
this embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer is preferably a covalently crosslinked
copolymer, i.e. the superabsorbent polymer contains polymerized crosslinking
monomers besides polymerized carboxylic acid CA and the salt of CA, preferably in
amounts 0.1 to 10%, in particular 0.2 to 5% by weight, based on the superabsorbent
polymer in the acidic form, the total amount of carboxylic acid CA and the salt of CA
making up at least 80% by weight and more preferably at least 90% by weight, in
particular from 90 to 99.9%, based on the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form.
In particular, the superabsorbent polymer of this embodiment comprises in polymerized
form:
15 to 89.9%, in particular 20 to 79.8% by weight of at least one carboxylic acid
CA, preferably acrylic acid;
10 to 84.9% in particular 20 to 79.8% by weight of at least one or a salt thereof, in
particular an alkalimetal salt thereof, more preferably the potassium salt of acrylic
acid (calculated in the acidic form); and
0.1 to 10%, in particular 0.2 to 5% by weight of at least one crosslinker monomer,
wherein the % by weight are based on the superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form,
the amount of carboxylic acid CA and the salt of CA making up at least 90%, e.g. 90 to
99.9% of the monomers forming the superabsorbent polymer or the total amount of
carboxylic acid CA and the salt of CA make up at least 80% by weight and more
preferably at least 90% by weight, in particular from 90 to 99.9%, based on the
superabsorbent polymer in the acidic form.
Suitable superabsorbent polymers of this type are commercially available, e.g. from
BASF AG under the trade names Luquasorb®, e.g. Luquasorb® 1010.
Usually, the superabsorbent polymer is used for the preparation of the composition in
the form of a powder. Preferably, the average particle size of the superabsorbent
particles does not exceed 0.5 mm, preferably not 0.3 mm. The average particle size is
the weight average of the diameter which may be determined by microscopy or by
sieving analysis.
In one embodiment of the invention the superabsorbent polymer, which is used for
preparing the pesticide composition, is in the form of surface crosslinked polymer
particles (see F.L. Buchholz, loc. cit. pp. 97 to 103, and the literature cited therein), in
the surface crosslinked polymer particles some of the functional group in the surface
region of the superabsorbent polymer granules have been crosslinked by reaction with
polyfunctional compounds. Surface crosslinking can be a covalent or ionic crosslinking.

In another embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer particles do not have a surface
crosslinking.
According to the invention, the pesticide composition further contains at least one filler
material which is different from water and of course also different from the pesticide
compound and the superabsorbent polymer P. The filler material is generally chosen
from liquid, solid or semi-solid (e. g. pasty) materials, which, together with the water
and the superabsorbent polymer P provides the pesticide composition with a gel-like or
solid texture. The amount of filler material is preferably from 10 to 89.5% by weight, in
particular from 15 to 84.5% by weight and more preferably from 20 to 79.5% by weight,
based on the total weight of the composition.
The filler material is generally an organic or inorganic material or a mixture organic and
inorganic materials the filler material being solid, liquid or semisolid and having itself no
or not a marked pesticidal activity. Of course, the filler material is different from water,
the pesticide compound and the superabsorbent polymer.
The filler material is preferably an organic material which is solid, liquid or semisolid,
and which itself has no or not a marked pesticidal activity. Suitable filler materials
include in particular organic materials that are present in gel formulations of pesticide
compounds. Examples of typical fillers are attractants, co-formulants (i.e. organic
material which is usually present in conventional pesticide formulations), means for
adjusting the pH of the composition and inert carrier materials. Typical fillers include
attractants and also co-formulants (i.e. organic material which is usually present in
conventional pesticide formulations), and optionally means for adjusting the pH of the
composition. However, the filler material may also include an inert carrier material
which may be organic or inorganic.
Preferably, the filler material comprises at least one material which renders the
composition attractive to the pest to be controlled. Such components are also referred
to as attractants. Attractants are non-pesticidal materials which may act in one or
several of the following ways: a) entice the insect to approach the composition or the
material treated with the composition; b) entice the insect to touch the composition or
the material treated with the composition; c) entice the insect to consume the
composition or the material treated with the composition; and d) entice the insect to
return to the composition or the material treated with the composition. Suitable
attractants include non-food attractants and food attractants, also termed as feeding
stimulants.

Suitable non-food attractants are usually volatile material. The volatile attractants act
as a lure and their type will depend on the pest to be controlled in a known manner.
Non-food attractants include:
- semiochemicals such as pheromones, in particular sex pheromones and
aggregation pheromones, kairomones and
- flavours of natural or synthetic origin.
Suitable semiochemicals can be taken for example from http://pherobase.com and T.D.
Wyatt, Pheromones and Animal Behaviour: Communication by Smell and Taste,
Cambridge 2003: Cambridge University Press. Examples include volatile alkanols and
alkenols having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms, volatile alkanals and alkenals having from
5 to 10 carbon atoms, alkanones having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms,
1,7-dioxaspirononan and 3-or4-hydroxy-1,7-dioxaspiroundecan, benzyl alcohol,
Z-(9)-tricosene (muscalure), heneicosene, diacetyl, alcanoic acids having from 5 to 10
carbon atoms such as caprylic acid, laurylic acid, oc-pinen, methyleugenol,
ethyldodecanoate, tert-butyl 4-(or 5-)chloro-2-methylcyclohexane-carboxylate,
mycrenone and cucurbitacin. Suitable flavors include meat flavour, yeast flavour,
seafood flavour, milk flavour, butter flavour, cheese flavour, onion flavour, and fruit
flavours such as flavours of apple, apricot, banana, blackberry, cherry, currant,
gooseberry, grape, grapefruit, raspberry and strawberry.
In a very preferred embodiment of the invention the composition contains cucurbitacin.
Cucurbitacin may be included in the composition as such or in the form of a suitable
plant extract, such as melon juice extract. Such extracts are commercially available
e.g. as Invite®, Slam® or Cidetrak®.
Suitable feeding stimulants include:
proteins, including animal proteins and plant proteins, e. g. in the form meat meal,
fish meal, fish extracts, seafood, seafood extracts, or blood meal, insects parts,
crickets powder, yeast extracts, egg yolk, protein hydrolysates, yeast autolysates,
gluten hydrolysates, and the like;
carbohydrates and hydrogenated carbohydrates, in particular mono- and
disaccharides such glucose, arabinose, fructose, mannose, sucrose, lactose,
galactose, maltose, maltotriose, maltotetrose, maltopentose or mixtures thereof
such as molasses, corn syrup, maple sirup, invert sugars, and honey;
polysaccharides including starch such as potato starch, corn starch, and starch
based materials such as cereal powders (e.g. wheat powder, maize powder, malt
powder, rice powder, rice bran), pectines, and glycerol, hydrogenated mono- and

oligosaccharides (sugar alcohols) such as xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, isomaltolose,
trehalose and maltitol as well as maltitol containing syrups;
fats and oils, such as vegetable oils, e.g. corn oil, olive oil, caraway oil, linseed oil,
canola oil, peanut oil, rape seed oil, sesame oil, soy bean oil, sunflower oil, fats
and oils of animal origin such as fish based oil, and also fatty acids derived from
the aforementioned fats and oils.
The aforementioned attractants may also be present in the form of complex mixtures
comprising volatile materials and feeding stimulants such as fruit juices, fruit syrups,
and fruit extracts, decaying parts of organic material such as decaying parts of fruits,
crops, plants, animals, insects or specific parts thereof.
The total amount of attractant will generally be in the range from 1 to 80% by weight of
the composition, in particular from 5 to 70% by weight of the composition and more
preferably from 10 to 60% by weight of the composition. In particular, the composition
of the present invention comprises at least one non-food attractant and at least one
feeding stimulant. The amount of non food attractant (semiochemicals and flavours) is
generally from 0.0001 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.001 to 1% by weight of the
composition. The amount of feeding stimulant is generally from 1 to 80% by weight of
the composition, in particular from 5 to 70% by weight of the composition and more
preferably from 10 to 60% by weight of the composition..
In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises at least one feeding stimulant
selected from the group of carbohydrates and hydrogenated carbohydrates, in
particular at least one material selected from mono- or oligosaccharides, cereal
powders and sugar alcohols, and optionally starch or pectines. If present, the amount
of carbohydrate material and/or hydrogenated carbohydrates is from 1 to 50% by
weight, in particular from 3 to 30% by weight of the composition. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention the composition comprises a mixture of at least one
carbohydrate, in particular at least one mono- or oligosaccharide and/or at least one
cereal powder and at least one hydrogenated carbohydrate, in particular at least one
sugar alcohol such as sorbitol or maltitol.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition contains at least
one hydrophobic material selected from the fatty acids, di- and triglycerides of fatty
acids, fatty alcohols, and their mixtures. Preference is given to a hydrophobic material
which is of natural origin such as fats and oils and fatty acids of plant or animal origin,
in particular those mentioned as feed-stimulants. The term "fatty acid", as used herein,
refers to aliphatic carboxylic acids having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms which may be

saturated or which may carry 1, 2 or 3 ethylenically double bonds. The term and "fatty
alcohol" refers to alkanols having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably the
hydrophobic material is selected from triglycerides of fatty acids being of natural origin
such as fats and oils of plant or animal origin, examples including corn oil, linseed oil,
sunflower oil, peanut oil, rape seed oil, olive oil, peanut butter, sesame oil. If present,
the amount of hydrophobic material will generally be from 1 to 50% by weight, in
particular from 3 to 30% by weight. The hydrophobic material may be partially or
completely replaced by di- or polyols having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition comprises at least
one protein material, which may be of animal or plant origin. If present, the amount of
protein material will be in the range from 1 to 50% by weight, in particular from 2 to
20% by weight of the composition.
The compositions of the invention may also contain means for adjusting the pH of the
composition or of the aqueous dilution obtained therefrom. Suitable means for
adjusting the pH include buffers, bases and in particular acids.
Suitable acids include organic and inorganic acids, in particular organic carboxylic
acids such as citric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid, glycolic acid etc. The
amount of will be generally not exceed 2% by weight, based on the total weight of the
composition. In particular the acid may be present in amounts ranging from 0.01 to 2%
by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 1 % by weight.
Additionally, the pesticide compositions may comprise co-formulants (additives), i.e.
compounds which are present in conventional pesticide formulations or which are
incorporated in the pesticide formulation to modify their properties. The amount of co-
formulant will generally not exceed 20% by weight or 10% by weight, based on the total
weight of the composition. Frequently, co-formulants are present in amounts ranging
from 0.01 to 20%, by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total
weight of the composition.
Suitable co-formulants (additives) include
a) surfactants, such as dispersants, wetting agents and emulsifiers;
b) organic solvents;
c) defoamers (anti-foams);
d) thickeners;
e) preservatives;
f) dyes or pigments; and

g) repellents.
The surfactants may be non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric. Suitable surfactants
that may be contained in the liquid formulations of the invention are disclosed, e.g. in
"McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual", MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood,
NJ, USA 1981; H. Stache, "Tensid-Taschenbuch", 2nd ed., C. Hanser, Munich, Vienna,
1981; M. and J. Ash, "Encyclopedia of Surfactants", vol. I-III, Chemical Publishing Co.,
New York, NY, USA 1980-1981. The amount of surfactant will depend on whether the
composition is applied directly, i.e. in the form of a ready to use gel. In a ready to use
gel, the amount of surfactant will generally not exceed 1 % by weight, based on the total
weight of the composition except for surface active compounds which are contained in
the feeding stimulant and except for fatty acids. In a water dilutable composition the
amount of surfactant will generally be from 0.1 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.2
to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
Suitable surfactants include
a1) anionic surfactants, including
- alkylsulfonates, such as lauryl sulfonate or isotridecylsulfonate,
- alkylsulfates, in particular fatty alcohol sulfates, such as lauryl sulfate,
isotridecylsulfate, cetylsulfate, stearylsulfate
- aryl- and alkylarylsulfonat.es, such as naphthylsulfonate,
dibutylnaphthylsulfonate, dodecyldiphenylether sulfonate, cumylsulfonate,
nonylbenzenesulfonate, dodecylbenzene sulfonate;
- sulfonates of fatty acids and fatty acid esters;
- sulfates of fatty acids and fatty acid esters;
- sulfates of alkoxylated alkanoles, such as sulfates of ethoxylated lauryl alcohol;
- sulfates of alkoxylated alkylphenols;
- alkylphosphates, C8-C16 alkylphosphates;
- dialkylphosphates, C8-C16 dialkylphosphates;
- dialkylesters of sulfosuccinic acid, such as dioctylsulfosuccinate,
- acylsarcosinates,
- fatty acids, such as stearates,
- acylglutamates, and
- ligninsulfonates,
generally in the form of alkalimetal salts, earth alkaline metal salts or ammonium
salts, in particular in the form of sodium, potassium calcium or ammonium salts;
a2) non-ionic surfactants, including

- alkoxylated alkanoles, in particular ethoxylated fatty alcohols and ethoxylated
oxoalcohols, such as ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, ethoxylated isotridecanol,
ethoxylated cetyl alcohol, ethoxylated stearyl alcohol, and esters thereof, such
as acetates
- alkoxylated alkylphenols, such as ethoxylated nonylphenyl, ethoxylated
dodecylphenyl, ethoxylated isotridecylphenol and the esters thereof, e.g. the
acetates
- alkylglucosides and alkyl polygucosides,
- copolymers, in particular block-copolymers of ethyleneoxide and
propyleneoxide,
- ethoxylated alkylglucosides and alkyl polygucosides,
- ethoxylated fatty amines,
- ethoxylated fatty acids,
- partial esters, such as mono-, di- and triesters of fatty acids with glycerine or
sorbitan, such as glycerine monostearate, sorbitanmonooleat, sorbitantristearat
- ethoxylated partial esters of fatty acids with glycerine or sorbitan, such as
ethoxylated glycerine monostearate
- ethoxylates of vegetable oils or animal fats, such as corn oil ethoxylate, castor
oil ethoxylate, tallow oil ethoxylate,
- ethoxylates of fatty amines, fatty amides or of fatty acid diethanolamides
a3) cationic surfactants, for example
quaternary ammonium compounds, in particular alkyltrimethylammonium
salts and dialkyldimethylammonium salts, e.g. the halides, sulfates and
alkylsulfates
Pyridinium salts, in particular alkylpyridinium salts e.g. the halides, sulfates
and C1-C4-alkylsulfat.es and
Imidazolinium salts in particular N,N'-dialkylimidazolinium salts, e.g. the
halides, sulfates or methoxulfates.
As regards the surfactants, the term "alkyl" as used herein and if not defined otherwise
is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 4 to 30, preferably from 6 to 22 carbon
atoms, e.g. n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl,
1-methylnonyl, 2-propylheptyl, n-dodecyl, 1-methyldodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl,
n-pentadecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-nonadecyl, n-eicosyl, and the
like. The terms "alkoxylated" and "alkoxylates" means that OH-functions have been
reacted with an alkyleneoxide, in particular a C2-C4-alkylene oxide, preferably
ethyleneoxide or a mixture of ethyleneoxide or propyleneoxide to form an
oligoalkyleneoxide group. Likewise the term "ethoxylated" means that OH-functions
have been reacted with ethyleneoxide to form an oligoethyleneoxide group. The degree

of alkoxylation (or ethoxylation) refers to number average of alkyleneoxide
(ethyleneoxide) repeating units and will usually be in the range from 1 to 50, frequently
from 1 to 30 and in particular from 2 to 20. The amount of surfactant will preferably not
exceed 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the pesticide composition and may
vary from 0.001 to 5% by weight, in particular from 0.01 to 3% by weight, based on the
total weight of the composition or from 1 to 100% by weight, in particular from 5 to 50%
by weight, based on the total weight of pesticide compound present in the composition.
Organic solvents include organic liquids having a boiling point at 1 bar of at most
250°C. Organic solvents include hydrocarbon solvents such as aromatic solvents (for
example Solvesso products, xylene), paraffins (for example mineral fractions), and
aliphatic solvents; alcohols including C1-C6-alkanols (for example methanol, butanol,
pentanol, benzyl alcohol) and C2-C6-polyols, in particular glycols such as ethylene
glycol and propylene glycol; C3-C6-ketones (for example acetone, cyclohexanone);
C4-C6-lactones (e.g. gamma-butyrolactone), C4-C6-lactames and d-Ca-alkyl-Gi-Ce-
lactames and, in particular pyrrolidones and N-(C1-C8-alkyl)pyrrolidones (e.g. N-methyl
pyrrolidone, N-ethyl pyrrolidone, N-octyl pyrrolidone), esters of d-C4-aliphatic acids
with d-Cs-alkanols or C2-C6-polyols, in particular acetates thereof (e.g. glycol acetate
and glycol diacetate); sulfoxides such as dimethylsulfoxide; dimethylamiides of
d-C4-carboxylic acids. The amount of solvent will be generally not exceed 10% by
weight, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the compositions
may contain an alcohol as an anti-freeze additive. The amount of alcohol may be from
0.5 to 10% by weight of the composition.
Suitable defoamers include polysiloxanes, such as polydimethyl siloxane and waxes.
The amount of defoamer will be generally not exceed 1% by weight, based on the total
weight of the composition. E.g. in the water dilutable compositions, the defoamer may
be present in amounts ranging from 0.001 to 1% by weight, in particular from 0.001 to
0.8% by weight
Suitable thickening agents (thickeners) include inorganic thickening agents, such as
clays, hydrated magnesium silicates and organic thickening agents, such as
polysaccharide gums, like gellan gum, jelutong gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, gum
arabic, locust gum, agar agar, water soluble polyacrylate polymers, polyvinyl alcohol,
water soluble peptides such as casein or gelatine, and cellulose derivatives such as
carboxymethyl cellulose. The amount of thickening agent will generally not exceed 1 %
by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. E.g. in the water dilutable
compositions, the thickener may be present in amounts ranging from 0.001 to 1% by
weight, in particular from 0.001 to 0.8% by weight.

Suitable preservatives to prevent microbial spoiling of the formulations of the invention
include formaldehyde, alkyl esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, sodium benzoate,
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, o-phenylphenol, thiazolinones, such as benziso-
thiazolinone, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolinone, pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dichloro-
benzyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The amount of preservatives will be generally not
exceed 0.1 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.
Suitable pigments or dyes include pigment blue 15:4, pigment blue 15:3, pigment blue
15:2, pigment blue 15:1, pigment blue 80, pigment yellow 1, pigment yellow 13,
pigment red 112, pigment red 48:2, pigment red 48:1, pigment red 57:1, pigment red
53:1, pigment orange 43, pigment orange 34, pigment orange 5, pigment green 36,
pigment green 7, pigment white 6, pigment brown 25, basic violet 10, basic violet 49,
acid red 51, acid red 52, acid red 14, acid blue 9, acid yellow 23, basic red 10, basic
red 108. The amount of dyes and/or pigments will be generally not exceed 1 % by
weight, based on the total weight of the composition except for water, and the dye or
pigment may be present in amounts ranging from 0.001 to 1 % by weight, in particular
from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight.
Suitable repellents may be present to avoid uptake by vertebrates such as birds,
amphibias, reptiles or warm blooded animals, in particular human beings. The repellent
will usually be present in the ready to use gel. Suitable repellents are bitterness agents
such as denatonium benzoate (N-benzyl-2-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)-N,N-diethyl-
2-oxoethanaminium benzoate) and hot substances such as Guinea pepper.
Suitable carriers are in particular solid organic or inorganic materials which are
conventionally used in the preparation of solid pesticide formulations, e.g. mineral
earths such as silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attaclay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole,
loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate,
magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, fertilizers, such as, for example,
ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products of
vegetable origin, such as cellulose powders, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell
meal. The amount of inert carrier will generally not exceed 50% by weight of the
composition, and will in particular not exceed 30% or 10% by weight of the pesticide
composition. In one embodiment such inert fillers are absent.
The compositions of the present invention also contain water. The amount of water is
preferably from 10 to 84.5% by weight, in particular from 15 to 74.5% by weight and

more preferably from 20 to 69.5% by weight. The amount of water is chosen in a
manner to provide a gel-like or solid texture.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions are formulated
as ready-to-use gels. The ready-to-use gels are applied directly and thus are
formulated in a manner that allows an easy distribution to a location where the
arthropod pests get into contact with the gel composition.
Usually, the ready-to-use gel is usually applied by means of a suitable device which
contains the ready-to-use gel. Suitable means are cartridge dispensers, collapsible
tubes, and the like. The gels may also be contained in a bait box, which can be entered
by the pest to be controlled. Therefore, the present invention also relates to a device
such a cartridge dispenser, cartridges, syringes, bait boxes or a collapsible tube
containing the ready-to-use gel of the present invention.
In the ready-to-use gel according to the present invention, the filler material frequently
contains a hydrophobic component, in particular a fat or oil or a mixture thereof with an
alkanol or polyol as mentioned above. The amount of the hydrophobic component is as
given above and is in particular from 1 to 50 % by weight more preferably from 3 to
30% by weight of the ready-to-use gel.
The ready-to-use gel is particularly suitable for combating insects which are prone to
populate the habitat of human beings or farm animals. The ready-to-use gel is
particularly useful for combating insects from the orders hymenoptera, blattodea,
isoptera, diptera and lepidoptera, in particular for combating blattelidae and/or
blattidae.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the composition is in the form of a
water dilutable gel or solid, in particular a water dilutable gel. The gel can be easily
diluted with water, thereby obtaining a virtually homogeneous aqueous spray broth,
wherein the active ingredient is uniformly distributed.
Such a water dilutable gel or solid usually comprises at least one surfactant in the
amounts given above, in order to stabilize the uniform distribution of the pesticide
compound in the dilution.
Preferably, the water dilutable gel also contains at least one acid, more preferably at
least one organic carboxylic acid as mentioned above, e.g. a carboxylic acid selected

from the group of citric acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid and glycolic acid. The amount of
carboxylic acid is preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the water dilutable gel or solid.
Preferably, the water dilutable gel does contain only small amounts or even no fatty
components as defined herein. In particular the amount of fatty components will not
exceed 3 % by weight of the water dilutable gel. In the water dilutable gel, the attractant
preferably comprises at least one feeding stimulant from the group of fruit, fruit juice,
fruit extract or fruit juice extract, mono- or disaccharides, hydrogenated mono or
disaccharides and water soluble protein sources such as protein hydrolysates or yeast
autolysates. The water dilutable gel does may of course also contain one or more
semiochemicals.
The water dilutable gels are particularly used for combating plant damaging pests, in
particular sucking piercing or chewing insects, e. g. insects of the orders hymenoptera,
isoptera, diptera, coleoptera and Lepidoptera, in particular for combating insects of the
orders diptera and coleoptera.
The compositions of the present invention can be easily prepared by routine methods
of formulation techniques.
Generally, the filler and optionally water is pre-charged in a mixing apparatus and the
conventional formulation of the pesticide compound is added and the components are
mixed. Further ingredients of the compositions may be added thereafter. The
superabsorbent polymer can be added at any stage of this procedure. Preferably, the
filler, at least a part of the water and the superabsorbent polymer is pre-charged and
the formulation of the pesticide compound is added thereto with mixing. Optionally
further water and further components such as the acid, dyes or pigments are added
thereafter.
Then, the components are homogenized to obtain a gel formulation. Thereafter, the gel
formulation is packaged or, in the case of a ready-to-use gel may be confectioned, e.g.
in a suitable device for direct application or a cartridge for a device for direct
application.
As mentioned above, the compositions of the present invention are useful for
combating arthropod pests, in particular insects. Therefore, the present invention also
relates to a method for combating arthropod pests which method comprises applying
the composition of the present invention to a locus, where the arthropod pests gets into
contact with the composition.

When the composition is in the form of a ready-to-use gel, the composition is applied
directly to a locus, where the pest is likely to occur and thus gets into contact with the
gel composition. For example, the ready-to-use gel can be injected by means of a
suitable device such as a syringe or cartridge injector, into hatcheries or brood nests of
the pest to be controlled or applied to places, where the pest to be controlled is likely to
travel around such as parts of buildings, e.g. the floor of rooms where the pest is likely
to occur (kitchen, storage room for food stuffs), ventilation and supply ducts, but also to
parts of plants to be protected against damage by said pests. In particular the
compositions can be applied to areas where pests accumulate or reproduce such as
rubbish bins, garbage dumpsters, refuse areas, land fill sites etc. It is also possible to
load a bait box or bait station or a liner with the ready-to-use gel and place to bait box
or bait station or liner, where the pest to be controlled is likely to occur or accumulate,
e.g. on the grounds where the pest to be controlled travel around or near the plants or
goods to be protected against infestation and damaging by the pest to be controlled.
In case of the water-dilutable gels or solids, the composition is applied as an aqueous
dilution, i.e. the composition will be diluted with water to obtain a sprayable aqueous
liquid which contains the active ingredient (the aqueous liquid obtained by dilution is
also termed as aqueous spray broth or aqueous dilution). The amount of water (on a
volume base) which is used for diluting the composition is usually at least 1 time,
frequently ate least 5 times, preferably at least 10 times, more preferably at least 50
times, in particular at least 100 times of the volume of the composition. The amount of
water naturally depends on the desired concentration of the active ingredient in the
aqueous spray broth which on its part depends on the active ingredient and the pest to
be controlled in an known manner. However, it should be taken into account, that in
most cases the compositions of the present invention provides an increased activity
and thus allows a reduction of the application rate. Frequently, the composition of the
present invention allows a reduction of the application rate by at least 20%, in particular
at least 50% of the application rate which is necessary when using a conventional
formulation. In general, the pesticide concentration in the aqueous dilution will range
from 1 to 3000 mg/L, in particular 10 to 2000 mg/L.
The aqueous spray broth which is obtained by dilution of a water-dispersible gel or
solid will be generally used to protect growing plants from attack or infestation by plant
damaging pests, in particular plant damaging insects. In order to achieve control, the
aqueous spray broth is applied to a locus where the arthropod pest gets into contact
with said composition. Usually, the aqueous spray broth is applied to the habitat of the
pest to be controlled, which may be the plant or parts of the plant itself such as stem,

root and foliage, or the soil surrounding the plants to be controlled. Preferably, the
aqueous dilution is applied to parts of plants to be protected. However, it is also
possible to apply the aqueous spray broth to the breeding ground of the pest to be
controlled.
The compositions of the present invention can also be used for protecting non-living
goods, in particular wooden materials such as board, fences, sleepers, etc. and
buildings such as houses, outhouses, factories, construction materials, furniture,
leather, natural or synthetic fibers, plastic articles, isolation of electric wires and cables
from pests are likely to damage theses materials such as ants and termites. The
compositions can also be used for controlling ants and termites from doing harm to
crops or human beings (e. g. when the pests invade into houses and public facilities).
In order to achieve effective control, the composition can be applied either directly or as
an aqueous spray liquor. The composition can be applied directly but it also can be
applied to the surrounding soil surface or into the under-floor soil in order to achieve
effective protection of the material.
The present invention is now illustrated in further detail by the following working
examples:
I. Starting materials
Superabsorbent Polymer SAP1: Powder of a crosslinked copolymer of potassium
acrylate and acrylamide having a water absorbtion capacity for Dl water of 400 g/g and
particle size below 0.3 mm (Aquasorb 3005 S, of SNF FLOERGER, Andrezieux,
France).
Superabsorbent Polymer SAP2: Powder of a crosslinked copolymer of potassium
acrylate and acrylic acid having a water absorbtion capacity for Dl water of 240 g/g and
particle size below 0.1 mm (Luqasorb® 1010 of BASF Aktiengesellschaft Germany).
Pesticide formulation P1: Suspension concentrate of -cypermethrin, containing
100 g/L of -cypermethrin, 5.2 g/L of surfactant, 5.72 g/L of of xanthan gum, 1.04 g/L of
defoamer, 0.2 g/L of tetrabutylammonium bromide, 0.2 g/L of phosphoric acid, 1.54 g/L
of biocide, 154.4 g/L of propylene glycol and water ad 100% by weight.
Pesticide formulation P2: Aqueous suspension concentrate, containing 240 g/L of
metaflumizone, 10.8 g/L of an co-(ethyleneoxid/propylenoxid)polymer (EO/PO-

polymer), 97.4 g of a surfactant mixture, 54.1 g/L of propylene glycol, 5.4 g/L of a
defoamer, 1.1 g/l of a biocide, 1.7 g/L of xanthan gum and water ad 1 L.
Pesticide formulation P3: Aqueous suspension concentrate, containing compound P5a,
a surfactant mixture, thickener a biocide, defoamer and water ad 1 L
Pesticide formulation P4: Powder, containing about 75% by weight of compound P5a,
11 % by weight of a surfactant mixture and 24% by weight of Kaolin clay.
Pesticide formulation P5: dilutable concentrate, containing about 25% by weight of
compound P5a, 45% by weight of propylene carbonate and 30% by weight of an
EO/PO-block copolymer.
Pesticide formulation P6: microemulsion concentrate, containing compound P5, a
surfactant mixture, mixture of hydrocarbons and water.
Commercial cucurbitacin containing composition: aqueous melon juice extract,
containing also mono- and disaccharides (Invite, available from Florida F:ood Products
USA).
Commercial red grape juice, containing 162 g/L of mono- and disaccharides.
Attractant composition AtC 1: corn gluten hydrolysate containing 44% by weight of
hydrolyzed corn gluten and 56% by weight of inert ingredients: Nu-Lure (available from
Miller Chemicals and Fertilizer Corp. PA USA.)
Attractant composition AtC 2: Food grade yeast autolysate derived from brewers yeast:
Yeast Autolysate SPA 400 (available from Halcyons Proteins Pty Ltd. Australia).
Attractant composition AtC 3: Protein hydrolyzate: Buminal (available from Bayer AG).
Attractant composition AtC 4: Tert-butyl 4-(or 5-)chloro-2-methylcyclohexane
carboxylate: Capilure (available from Oecos Herfordshire UK Company).
Attractant composition AtC 5: Methyleugenol, purity > 95 % (available from Bronson &
Jacobs Pty Ltd. Australia).

Fatty Chemical: Mixture of 5-25% b. w. of glycerine, 5-25%, b. w. of propylene glycol,
5-25% b. w. of hexylene glycol, 5-25% b. w. of oleic acid, 5-20% b. w. of corn oil,
5-20% b. w. of rapeseed oil, 5-20% b. w. of linseed oil and 5-20% b. w. of soy bean oil.
Gelling agent: Polyacrylate thickener (Carbopol EZ-2, Novenon Ohio USA).
II. Preparation Examples
1.1 Preparation of a ready-to-use gel (general recipe for formulations 1 .a to 1 .e)
a) About 22 to 32 g of deionized water were charged in a mixing vessel. Then,
successively 0.75 g of gelling agent 1,17.0 g of light brown sugar and 8.0 g of a
commercial mixture of gluco-mannitol and gluco-sorbitol (Isomalt) were slowly
added and the mixture was stirred until the components are dissolved. Then,
17.8 g of corn starch, 0.5 g of peanut butter flavor, 2.5 g of freeze-tried chicken
liver powder and 2.5 g of freeze-dried cricket powder were added and the mixture
was stirred until the solid material had been uniformly dispersed in the liquid
vehicle. Then, 0.2 g of a commercial preservative (Proxel GXL) and the
superabsorbent polymer powder (SAP) was added and the mixture was stirred
until the material was homogeneously distributed in the liquid vehicle. Then
propylene glycol or an oil were added (amounts given in table 1) and the mixture
was stirred until a virtually homogeneous gel was obtained.
b) 50 g of diethyleneglycol n-butylether were pre-charged in a second mixing
vessel. With stirring, 5 g of technical fipronil (100%) was added and the mixture
was stirred until fipronil was completely dissolved. Then, 1167 g of a 70% by
weight aqueous solution of sorbitol was added with stirring. Then, 0.5 g of
denatonium benzoate were added with stirring.
c) 12,2 g of the fipronil formulation obtained in step b) were added to the gel
obtained in step a) and the mixture was stirred until a virtually homogeneous gel
was obtained.
1.2 Preparation of a ready-to-use gel (general recipe for comparative formulations C1
and C2)
The comparative formulations were prepared as described for formulations 1.a to
I.e. However, no superabsorbent polymer was added. Instead, aqueous NaOH

was added after the biozide had been added. Moreover Carrageenan was added
after Isomalt had been added.
The composition of the gel formulations are given in table 1 (all amounts given as % by
weight)

1.3 Preparation of a ready-to-use gel (general recipe for formulations 1 .f to 1 .m)
The formulations 1 .f to 1 .m were prepared as described for formulations 1 .a to
1.e by using the pesticide formulations P3 to P6 and superabsorbent polymer

SAP 1. The compositions of the gel-formulations are given in the following tables
1 .a to 1 .d (all amounts given as % by weight): .,





2. Preparation of water dispersible gels
General recipe A
50 to 60 g of deionized water were charged into a mixing vessel. Then 0.2 g of a
commercial preservative (Proxel GXL), 5 g of cane sugar, 5 g of red grape juice and
10 g of glycerin were added and the mixture was stirred until the components were
completely dissolved. Then the pesticide formulation P1 was added and the mixture
was stirred again until virtually homogeneous dispersion was obtained. Then 2 different
attractant compositions were successively added and the mixture was stirred again
until a virtually homogeneous dispersion was obtained. Superabsorbent polymer was
slowly added and the mixture was stirred until a virtually homogenous gel was
obtained.


General recipe B
30 to 40 g of deionized water were charged into a mixing vessel. Then 0.2 g of a
commercial preservative (Proxel GXL), 5 g of cane sugar, 5 g of red grape juice and
10 g of glycerin were added and the mixture was stirred until the components were
completely dissolved. Then the pesticide formulation P2 was added and the mixture
was stirred again until virtually homogeneous dispersion was obtained. Then 2 different
attractant compositions were successively added and the mixture was stirred again
until c until virtually homogeneous dispersion was obtained. Superabsorbent polymer
was slowly added and the mixture was stirred until a virtually homogenous gel was
obtained.
The compositions of the obtained gels are given in table 3 (all amounts given as % by
weight).


General recipe C
Into a mixing vessel 68 g of a cucurbitacin containing composition (melon juice extract,
Invite, see above) were added with stirring. Then, superabsorbent polymer and citric
acid were successively added ant the mixture was stirred until a virtually homogenous
gel was obtained. To the gel 9.7 or 4.9 g of the pesticide formulation P1 (or 13.6 or
6.8 g of the pesticide formulation P2) and 5 g of propylene glycol were added and the
mixture was stirred until a virtually homogenous gel was obtained.
The compositions of the obtained gels are given in tables 4a and 4b



1. Activity against cockroach (compositions 1 .a to 1 .e)
Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of the ready to use
gels described in 11.1 in controlling adult males of the German cockroach, Blattella
germanica, in the presence (choice test) of alternate food source.
The baits were aged in the laboratory for 1, 2 or 3 months, respectively, by the
following procedure: About 0.03 g or the respective gel was applied by means of a
multi-dose applicator to a VWR polystyrene weighing dish (size micro). The thus
prepared bait dishes were placed on a tray and placed inside a bottom cabinet in the
laboratory. The baits were maintained in constant darkness at about 22°C.

For bioassay, the roaches were starved for 24 hours (provided shelter and water, but
not food) before the initiation of the test. Each treatment was repiicated 3 times with 20
roaches per replicate. Plastic roach boxes with ventilated lids were used as test
arenas. The top 3-4 cm of the arenas was treated with Vaseline and mineral oil to
prevent roaches from escaping. Water was provided as needed. The cockroaches
were placed in the boxes and starved for 24 hours prior to bait introduction. The
weighing dishes containing about 0.03 grams of gel were placed into the boxes. The
boxes were maintained at 22°C and observed daily for mortality of the cockroaches.
Roach mortality was recorded daily and the dead individuals were removed. Results
are shown in Tables 5a, 5b and 5c.



2. Olfactory response of Bactrocera Oleae
The olfactory responses of B. oleae adults to excised olive twigs sprayed with aqueous
dilutions were determined by means of a wind tunnel olfactometer. The sprayed twigs
were transferred into the wind tunnel olfactometer and the responses of adult olive flies
to them was scored.
The formulations were applied as aqueous dilutions. Formulations 2.a to 2.f and 3.a to
3.f were diluted with water in a ratio 1:10 v/v. Formulation P1 was diluted with water in
ratio 8.3:1000 v/v. Formulation P2 was diluted with water in ratio 34.7:1000 v/v. The
dilutions were sprayed on two-year-old potted olive trees. Spray application was
performed with a high volume back up sprayer and branches were sprayed to run off.
After spraying the trees were transferred and maintained in a non heated greenhouse.
Lateral windows of the green house remained open to ensure proper ventilation of the
place. At certain time intervals after spraying (0, 3 and 7 days) twigs of the treated olive
trees were cut off and transferred to the laboratory for the bioassays.
The bioassays were conducted in a Plexiglas wind tunnel olfactometer. The
olfactometer is a rectangular cage (2m length x 0.6 m width x 0.6 m height) made of
plexiglas and having on each of the two opposite small sides a cylindrical opening to
permit airflow. The cylindrical openings are closed with a wire screen to prevent the

flies from escaping from the olfactometer. Fresh air pulled is into the cage by an
exhaust fan, (connected to the upwind opening of the cage) and passed outside
through a flexible aluminium tube (connected to the downwind opening). The top side
of the cage has two cylindrical openings with Plexiglas covers, located 15 cm from
each end of the chamber to facilitate transfer of the flies and olive twigs inside the
chamber. Inside the chamber and 25cm from the upwind end a cylindrical wire screen
cage was placed (15 cm in diameter and 40 cm height). The sides of the cage were
covered with Tungel Foot glue. Inside the wire screen cage, olive twigs sprayed with
the tested products were placed. 4 or 5 olive twigs 10 to 20 cm long were vertically
fixed in the middle of the wire screen cage.
The adult flies, which were used in the bioassays developed from egg through the adult
inside olive fruits and maintained in wooden screen cages in the laboratory at 25±2°C
and a photoperiod of 16:8 LD with a liquid diet (a mixture of water.sugar.yeast
hydrolysate, 5:3:1). Twenty-four hours before the test, adult food was removed form the
cages and the flies had access only to crystalline sugar and water. For each bioassay
twenty adult olive flies (10 males and 10 females), 10 to 20 days old were used. The
flies were first aspirated into a glass vial. The top of the vial was closed with a nylon
mesh. Subsequently the vial with the flies was transferred to the insect release point in
the down wind end of the wind tunnel. The flies were allowed to acclimate to the wind
tunnel conditions for ten minutes before released from the bottle. During acclimation
period the fan at the up wind end of the tunnel was operated.
For the bioassay 20 adult female and male flies 10 to 15 days old were transferred into
the olfactometer chamber in the down wind end. Half an hour later the exhaust fan was
started to pump air inside the chamber and push it through the wire screen with the
sprayed olive twigs to the flies and through the end opening outside the laboratory
room. Air velocity inside the chamber varied from 0.5 to 0.9 m/sec. The operation of the
fan was adjusted through a time controller to switch on and off every 10 minutes.
During the bioassay the room temperature varied from 26°C to 28°C and the relative
humidity from 39 to 60%.
Twelve hours after transfer of the flies in the cages the number of the flies that
responded to the sprayed olive twigs and trapped on the glued sides of the cage was
scored. The percentage of the flies trapped on the sides of the cage was used as an
index of the relative response of the flies to the different tested products. At the end of
the bioassay the screen cage with olive branches was removed from the tunnel and the
number of flies entrapped on the glue (i.e. flies attracted to baited branches) was

recorded. The sides of the tunnel, the wire mesh and the fan blades were thoroughly
cleaned with ethanol and the room was properly aerated before the next bioassay.
The flies' response to olive twigs sprayed with water was used as the control treatment.
The tests were performed 3-5 hours after spraying, 3 d after spraying and 7 d after
spraying. The results are given in tables 6a, 6b and 6c.
Table 6a. Olfactory responses of adult flies of Bactrocera oleae to treated olive 3-5
hours after spraying (% response : Percentage of adult flies attracted to olive twigs
sprayed with the tested products)




3. Activity against Ceratitis capitata
The composition to be tested was diluted with 10 times of water (on a volume base). 1
ml of the obtained dilution was applied (in the C and D trials 0,5 mL were applied) at a
concentration of 25% on a circle of filter paper (diameter 9 cm). The treated circle was
placed on a petri dish. 5 individuals of Ceratitis capitata were placed in each. The Petri
dishes were closed and the mortality was registered at T+1, T+6, T+24 and T+48 h,
with 4 replications. This trial was made four times. The age of the flies was 2 days
except in the A trial where it was 4 days. The results are given in tables 7a to 7d.



4. Activity against adults of Diabrotica virgifera
The tests were run as field trials in separate allotments of 12 m x 200 m containing an
appropriate number of corn plants (closeness of planting about 80,000 to 90,000 plants
per hectare). The plants showed an average infestation with diabrotica adults. Aqueous
spray liquors were prepared by diluting 1 L of the respective formulation with 34 L
ofwater. Plants were sprayed with an aqueous spray liquor at an application rate of
35 l/ha. Application was done at the VT-stage of the corn plants (tassel stage). The
number of surviving diabrotica individuals were counted at 2 days after treatment (DAT)
and 7 DAT and compared with the number of diabrotica individuals at that time in the
untreated control allotment. From these numbers efficacies were calculated by Abbot's
formula:

x = number of insect individuals in the treated allotment


5. Activity against cockroach (compositions 1 .f to 1 .m)
Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of the ready to use
gels described in 11.1.2 in controlling adult males of the German cockroach, Blattella
germanica, in the presence (choice test) of alternate food source.
The baits were aged in the laboratory for 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks, respectively, by the
following procedure: About 0.5 g or the respective gel was applied by means of a multi-
dose applicator to a VWR polystyrene weighing dish (size micro). The thus prepared
bait dishes were placed on a tray and placed inside a bottom cabinet in the laboratory.
The baits were maintained in constant darkness at about 22°C.
For bioassay, the roaches were starved for 24 hours (provided shelter and water, but
not food) before the initiation of the test. Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 5
roaches per replicate. Disposable plastic containers were used as test arenas. The top
3-4 cm of the arenas was treated with Vaseline and mineral oil to prevent roaches from
escaping. The containers were provided with a water-soaked cotton dental wick. The
cockroaches were placed in the boxes and starved for 24 hours prior to bait
introduction. The weighing dishes containing about 0.5 grams of gel were placed into
the boxes. The boxes were maintained at 22°C and observed daily for mortality of the
cockroaches. Roach mortality was recorded after 4 h and 1 day and the dead
individuals were removed. Results are shown in tables 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d.
Table 9a: Without ageing





Claims:
1. Pesticide composition in the form of gel or a solid which contains
i) 0.001 to 50% by weight of at least one pesticide compound which is
effective against arthropod pest,
ii) 0.5 to 20% by weight of at least one superabsorbent polymer P having an
absorption capacity for deionised water of at least 100 g per 1 g of polymer
P, and
iii) 5 to 94.5% by weight of at least one filler material different from water, and
iv) 5 to 94.5% by weight of water,
wherein the % by weight are based on the total weight of the composition.
2. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the filler
material comprises an attractant.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filler material comprises a
feed stimulant.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the feeding stimulant comprises
at least one edible carbohydrate and/or at least one edible hydrogenated
carbohydrate.
5. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the filler
material comprise a hydrophobic component, which is selected from natural oils
and fats, fatty acids, fatty alcohols and mixtures thereof.
6. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the
superabsorbent polymer P is a crosslinked copolymer of ethylenically
unsaturated monomers M, comprising at least 90% by weight, based of the total
weight of monomers M, of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic
acid CA.
7. The composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the monomers M comprise at
least 90% by weight, based of the total weight of monomers M, of at least one
monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid CA, or of a mixture of at least one
monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid CA or a salt thereof and at least
one amide of a monoethylenically unsaturated acid AM.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the monomers M comprise at
least 90% by weight, based of the total weight of monomers M, of a mixture of
acrylic acid, or an alkali metal salt thereof and acrylamide.
9. The composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the monomers M comprise at
least 90% by weight, based of the total weight of monomers M, of a mixture of
acrylic acid and an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid.
10. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least
one pesticide compound is selected from the group of
growth regulators,
nicotinoid insecticides,
organo(thio)phosphates,
carbamates,
pyrethroids,
GABA antagonist compounds,
macrocyclic lactone insecticides,
mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors,
mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors,
uncoupler compounds,
oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor compounds,
moulting disruptor compounds,
mixed function oxidase inhibitor compounds,
sodium channel blocker compounds,
compounds of the formula P5

wherein X and Y are each independently halogen,
W is halogen or C1-C2-haloalkyl
R1 is C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-alkoxy-C1-C4-alkyl or
C3-C6-cycloalkyl each of which may be substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5
halogen atoms

R2 and R3 are C1-C6-alkyl or together with the adjacent carbon atom may
form a C3-C6-cycloalkyl moiety which may carry 1, 2 or 3 halogen atoms
and
R4 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
and the agriculturally acceptable salts thereof,
anthranilamide compounds of formula P6

wherein A1 is CH3, CI, Br, I, X is C-H, C-CI, C-F or N, Y is F, CI, or Br, Y" is
F, CI, or CF3, B1 is hydrogen, CI, Br, I, CN, B2 is CI, Br, CF3, OCH2CF3,
OCF2H, and RB is hydrogen, CH3 or CH(CH3)2;
benclothiaz, bifenazate, cartap, flonicamid, pyridalyl, pymetrozine, sulfur,
thiocyclam, flubendiamide, cyenopyrafen, flupyrazofos, cyflumetofen,
amidoflumet, 1-acetyl-2-oxo-3-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)amino-6-heptafluorpropyl-
1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline and malodinitrile compounds.
11. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in the form of a water
dilutable gel or solid.
12. The composition as claimed in claim 11, which comprises an acid different from
the pesticide compound.
13. The composition as claimed in claim 11, which comprises at least one surfactant.
14. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in the form of a ready
to use gel.
15. The use of a composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims for
combating arthropod pests.

16. A method for combating arthropod pests, which comprises applying a
composition as defined in any of claims 1 to 14 either directly or in the form of an
aqueous dilution to a location where the arthropod pest gets into contact with
said composition.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, where the composition is applied directly in
the form of a ready to use gel.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, where the arthropod pest is an insect
selected from orders hymenoptera, blattodea, isoptera, diptera and lepidoptera.
19. The method as claimed in any of claims 17 or 18, where the location to which the
composition is applied are parts of buildings.
20. A device containing a ready-to-use gel composition as defined in claim 14.
21. The use of a pesticide composition as defined in claim 11 for preparing a diluted
aqueous sprayable pesticide composition.
22. The method according to claim 16, which comprises applying a diluted aqueous
sprayable pesticide composition, which is obtainable by diluting a composition as
defined in any of claims 11 to 13 with water, to a locus where the arthropod pest
gets into contact with said composition.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, where the location to which the composition
is applied are plants or parts of plants or the soil surrounding plants.
24. The method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, where the arthropod pest is a plant
damaging insect.
25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the insect is selected from orders
hymenoptera, isoptera, diptera, coleoptera and Lepidoptera.
26. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the insect is selected from piercing
and chewing insects.

The present invention relates to novel pesticide compositions in the form of a gel material or a solid material which
are suitable for combating arthropod pests, in particular insects. The pesticide composition in the form of a gel or solid contains: i)
0.001 to 50% by weight of at least one pesticide compound which is effective against arthropod pest, ii) 0.5 to 20% by weight of at
least one superabsorbent polymer P having an absorption capacity for deionised water of at least 100 g per 1 g of polymer P, and iii)
5 to 94.5% by weight of at least one filler material different from water, and iv) 5 to 94.5% by weight of water, wherein the % by
weight are based on the total weight of the composition. The present invention also relates to the use of the pesticide compositions
as described herein for combating arthropod pests and to a method for combating arthropod pests, which comprises applying a gel
composition as defined herein either directly or as an aqueous dilution to a location where the arthropod pest gets into contact with
said composition.

Documents:

894-KOLNP-2009-(02-09-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(07-10-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(07-10-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(08-01-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(08-01-2014)-FORM-1.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(08-01-2014)-FORM-13.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(08-01-2014)-PA.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(09-04-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(09-04-2014)-FORM-3.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(09-04-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-ABSTRACT.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-CLAIMS.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-FORM-1.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-FORM-2.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-OTHERS.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-PA.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(10-12-2012)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(12-09-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(12-09-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

894-KOLNP-2009-(12-10-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-abstract.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-claims.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-correspondence.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-description (complete).pdf

894-kolnp-2009-form 1.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-form 18.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-form 3.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-form 5.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-gpa.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-international publication.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-international search report.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-pct priority document notification.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-pct request form.pdf

894-kolnp-2009-specification.pdf


Patent Number 263040
Indian Patent Application Number 894/KOLNP/2009
PG Journal Number 41/2014
Publication Date 10-Oct-2014
Grant Date 29-Sep-2014
Date of Filing 06-Mar-2009
Name of Patentee BASF SE
Applicant Address 67056 LUDWIGSHAFEN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 TARANTA, CLAUDE HAHNENFUSSWEG 8, 76297 STUTENSEE
2 MEIER, WOLFGANG MAINSTRASSE 8, 67117 LIMBURGERHOF
3 WILHELM, RONALD PLATANENWEG 11, 65719 HOFHEIM
4 BRATZ, MATTHIAS KURPFALZSTR. 41, 67133 MAXDORF
5 HOLMES, KEITH A. 206 LITTLEFORD LANE, CARY, NORTH CAROLINA 27519
6 CAZENEUVE, ERIC 101, ALLÉE FRUCTIDOR, F-33115 PYLA SUR MER
7 OLOUMI-SADEGHI, HASSAN 12105 PAWLEY'S MILL CIRCLE, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27614
8 COFFELT, MARK. 5916 WILD ORCHID TRAIL, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27613
9 BORK, THOMAS OBERE BLENZ 34, 67593 WESTHOFEN
PCT International Classification Number A01P 7/00,A01N 25/10
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2007/059657
PCT International Filing date 2007-09-13
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/844,469 2006-09-14 U.S.A.