AU2003235019A1 - Attract-and-Kill Method of Controlling Ecto-Parasites from the Order Acarina in Livestock and Domestic Animals as well as Members of the Order Artiodactyle - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

1. The current typical methods of controlling ticks (hereinafter used to describe undesirable members of Order Acarina and family Ixodidae) on livestock as well as other Ecto and Endo- Parasites are as follows.

2. Intensive Dipping. The treated animal is momentarily submersed in a solution of acaricide and water at regular intervals, usually every 4-6 weeks. There are various mechanisms to facilitate dipping, including trenches and portable equipment on tractor-trailers. Dipping is not only labour intensive, but there is evidence to suggest that the early entrants to the dip extract all of the acaricide from the solution which means that later entrants are dipped in nothing more than water and therefore effectively remain untreated. The high levels of acaricide extracted by early entrants may cause the accumulation of pesticide residues in the animal.

3. Spraying. Spraying may be either intensive or directed towards infected areas. The animal is corralled at regular intervals (every 4-6 weeks) and sprayed with acaricide mixed with water.

This process is highly labour intensive and the spray does not penetrate to the same extent as dipping. Moreover, the residual acaricide may penetrate the soil and watercourses, destroy beneficial organisms or drift away from the spray site on to neighbouring properties.

4. Pour-On. A Pour-On, often a synthetic pyrethroid, is applied topically along the midline of the back of the animal in a narrow strip between the shoulders and the tail head. Pour-On treatment is more effective than spraying. This process is labour intensive, unsafe for workers and results in pesticide residues penetrating the soil and watercourses. Restrictions apply to dairy cattle because the treatment generally penetrates the skin of the animal. Moreover, because the Pour- On treatment generally offers long residual activity, there is a relatively long interval between treatment and slaughter in the case of animals raised for meat.

Injectables. Several acaricides such as Ivermectin may be injected into the animal to control ticks. While the process of injecting an acaricide is labour intensive, the treatment also controls internal parasites in the animal. An internal treatment, such as an injectable, is based on the feeding behavior of the tick. Ticks typically attach themselves to the bloodstream of the animal for up to four days to gorge on blood. Ivermectin is excreted by the animal (whether injected or administered orally) and is believed to be the reason for the decline in numbers of the beneficial dung beetle.

6. Vaccines. An anti-tick vaccine is also commercially available. The vaccine antigen, based on a tick gut protein and produced by recombinant technology, stimulates production of specific antibodies in cattle which damage the gut of engorging ticks, resulting in a fertility reduction of up to 70% in adult ticks and reducing tick population growth. This vaccine is of limited use, but may be used as part of an integrated program for the control of ticks. Vaccination is a labour intensive process. Because immunity is slow to develop, vaccination represents a long-term strategy and therefore is not suitable for urgent situations.

7. Controlled-Release Capsules. A capsules containing an appropriate anthelmintic may be fired orally into the first stomach of the animal where it remains fixed permanently, but releases an anthelmintic over a proscribed period (usually three months) that controls ticks as well as internal parasites. Capsules are also referred to as intraruminal slow-release devices. The administration of capsules is a labour intensive process. The principle purpose of this treatment is to control internal parasites rather than ecto-parasites.

8. Orally Administered Anthelmintics. Generally applied by drench, orally administered anthelmintics are effective only for a short period before excretion. Drenching is also a labour intensive process. The principle purpose of this treatment is to control internal parasites rather than ecto-parasites.

9. Ear-Tags, Neck-Bands and Tail-Bands. Ear-tags, neck-bands and tail-bands containing synthetic pyrethroids are frequently used on cattle to control ticks, but are limited to the part of the animal where the device is located and where the device may reach if, for example, the animal uses its ear or tail to disturb a tick. The application of these devices is also labour intensive. While there is no residual pesticide activity during fastening of the tags and bands to the animal, the disposal of the same once they are no longer effective is of concern.

Tick Repellants. Certain grasses such as Melinis minutiflora and Cassia absus are known to repel ticks and efforts have been made to use extracts of the same or to blend these grasses with existing pastures. To date the results have not been promising.

11. Tick Resistant Cattle. An African bovine species known as Bos taurus is highly resistant to tick infection when crossbred with other species of cattle. To date results have been promising, but this method of control will be restricted to those countries and hers where crossbreeding is both feasible and appropriate.

12. When controlling ticks, the above-mentioned results can be met by combining acaricide active compounds with pheromones and other attractants that attract the male of the species to the composition. Under these circumstances, the composition may be applied selectively in very small doses and not over the entire animal. The composition may also be applied to ear-tags, neck-collars and tail-collars. Since the pheromones released at the treated sites are effective at some distance, the male species migrate to these sites, become contaminated with the acaricide active compound and are destroyed. Females of species are unaffected by the composition, but are unable to reproduce in sufficient numbers to cause significant harm to the animal and therefore economic damage to the livestock industry. In the case of deer, the vectors for carrying tick-borne disease are significantly reduced.

13. The male tick is not distracted by competing females because the level of the pheromone in the composition is greater. However, some coincidental mating will inevitably occur, but will be infrequent enough not to cause economic damage or a significant incidence of tick-borne disease. In time, when kairomones (non-sexual fragrances) and suitable attractants are available, the composition will be used to destroy both male and female members of the target insect species.

14. For compositions to be active over a sufficiently long period the active components in the subject formulations must, on the one hand, be protected against environmental factors (such as UV radiation) but, on the other hand, they must also be released in a controlled manner.

Pheromones, in particular, are polymers and therefore highly vulnerable to UV radiation that rapidly degrades the bonding in their long molecular chain structures.

Most pheromones are rendered ineffective after around 48 hours of exposure to UV radiation. It is noted that it is theoretically impossible to degrade pure polymers with UV radiation and that the degradation process commences because of impurities in the polymer.

However, pheromones used in the composition are generally 99% pure and therefore vulnerable to UV radiation. The composition must also be designed so that the ticks take up sufficient active acaricide compound to destroy them after coming into contact with the composition.

16. A significant number of preparations based on the use of pheromones and other attractants for controlling members of Order Acarina have already been disclosed.

17. One such preparation involves a solution of the pheromone and acaricide in a solvent with a low vapour pressure or, alternatively as an adsorbate on an inert solid with anti-oxidants and UV stabilisers. However, the disadvantage of these preparations is that their resistance to climatic factors is relatively low and that the active compounds are broken down or leached out after a relatively short time. When a composition is adsorbed it forms a thin film on the surface of an inert solid. However, it is well known that UV stabilisation is a function of both the concentration of the stabiliser and the thickness of the film to be protected (Beer Lambert Law).

18. A second type of preparation involves combining attractants and acaricides in microencapsulated form or binding the same in water-soluble polymers. However, the action of such formulations is not always sufficiently high since the amount of active compound released is frequently inadequate to destroy the target pest.

19. A third type of preparation involves a mixture of the pheromone, UV stabiliser, acaricide and other additives that is fixed to a combination of absorbing and adsorbing solids. In this case, while the active, absorbed components remain stable over a sufficiently long period of time, the amount of active compound that diffuses out from the absorbed compounds does not always guarantee a sufficiently high degree of action.

The above-mentioned shortcomings are overcome by control method and composition according to the invention. The invention relates to a flowable composition comprising the following components that may control ecto-parasites from the Order Acarina in livestock and domestic animals as well as members of the Order Artiodactyle (deer). 0.1% to 10% by weight of an acaricide active compound, (for example, Lambda-Cyhalothrin or Deltamethrin), 0.01% to by weight of the target Acarina pheromone (or other signal substances including kairomones and naturally occurring attractants) at a level greater than that emitted by competing females, 0.1% to 3.0% by weight of an aromatic solvent in which all of the above are soluble, for example, hexane, 10%to 80% by weight of a UV absorber selected from the Hydroxyphenyl Benzotriazole group (for example Tinuvin(tm) 171) which can absorb UV radiation in the range 270 to 400 nM, and therefore stabilises the signal substances for up to six weeks, 0.1% to by weight of an optical brightener (for example Uvitex OB(tm)) which can convert UV radiation in the range 270 to 400 nM and emit the same visible light, and therefore stabilises the signal substances for up to six weeks, 10% to 50% by weight of castor oil, a controlled-release medium for both the pheromone and insecticide, 0.1% to 20% by weight of a viscosity-regulator to establish a formulation with a viscosity of 25,000 cP. The preferred viscosity-regulator is a Polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of 1,000 (for example, Glissopal(tm) 1000) supplemented by an Aluminalsilic aerosil, for example COK 84(tm). 21. The components are combined in the following sequence. The UV absorber plus Optical Brightener are added to a reactor. If necessary, the acaricide active is liquefied in drums in the hot-water bath and then added to reactor. Castor oil is then added to the mixture. The solution is then cooled and maintained in liquid form at a temperature below 30oC. The pheromone, and any other attractant compound, is added to the reactor and the mixture is stirred for a total of five hours ensure complete dispersion of the acaricide and pheromone. The viscosity regulators are then added to the mixture to achieve a viscosity of 25,000 cP. Solvent may be added if required to decrease viscosity if a correction is required. The mixture must then be stirred for a further two hours to ensure complete absorption of the viscosity regulators. 22. An alternative method of manufacture involves creating a premix by dissolving or dispersing the acaricide plus attractant in the UV Absorber, Optical Brightener and Castor Oil. The premix is stirred for one hour at a temperature below 30oC. The premix is then dispersed in a solution of surfactant, preferably an ethoxylated castor oil, plus water to create an oil-in-water emulsion. The viscosity regulators are then added to the mixture to achieve a viscosity of 25,000 cP. An organic solvent may be added if required to decrease viscosity if a correction is required. The mixture must then be stirred for a further two hours to ensure complete absorption of the viscosity regulators. This process requires less agitation, but the mixture contains water that must be removed by drying before the product may be packaged. The mixture will also contain ethoxylated castor oil, but this is consistent with the castor oil used in the composition as a controlled-release mechanism 23. The composition is packaged in a specialised container, 150 to 200-gram by weight and calibrated to manually dispense doses in the range 0.05 to 0.1 gram.

24. Sex pheromones play a vital role in the survival and advancement of all animals. However, the behavior and courtship patterns are particularly complex and advanced in ticks compared to insects. These sex pheromones can be found in compounds or mixtures of compounds, guiding mate finding, mate selection, courtship behavior and insemination. In the case of ticks, research has suggested that there are three distinct sex pheromone categories (Sonenshine 1991).

Attractant Sex Pheromone. Once a female tick attaches to a host and begins feeding, she secretes a volatile attractant sex pheromone. Males feeding on the same host become excitable, cease feeding, detach, and hunt for the female. The male must feed for three to four days before his sperm is mature; however, in the presence of attractant sex pheromone males will detach prematurely and search for females. The male locates the feeding female by following the pheromone and commences the courtship process. (Sonenshine 1985, Sonenshine 1986 and Sonenshine 1991).

26. Mounting Sex Pheromone. Once the male has located the female secreting the attractant sex pheromone, he is able to distinguish between sexually active and inactive females by detection of a second pheromone, the mounting sex pheromone. Females secrete a substance onto their surface. When a male comes in contact with a sexually active female, he palpates her body, locating the mounting sex pheromone she has secreted. Once the male detects this pheromone, he attaches himself to the female and begins searching for the gonopore (reproductive organ).

The male originally searched for the pheromone on the dorsal surface of the female. However, once the male confirms the presence of the mounting sex pheromone, he positions his body posteriorly and crawls to the ventral portion, or underside of the female in search of her gonopore. (Sonenshine 1989 and Sonenshine 1991).

27. Genital Sex Pheromone. Once a male finds a sexually active female and has mounted her, he begins locating the gonopore. A male having completed spermatogenesis (by feeding for 3-4 days) will transfer his spermatophore to his mouth. After completing this process, the male will insert his anterior end into the gonopore of the receptive female, where it will remain until the female has fed to repletion. This action prevents other males from fertilising the same female. If the male was to leave before the female concluded feeding, a second male could mate, resulting in his gametes being passed to a new generation. However, before this can take place, the male must detect a third, genital sex pheromone. This pheromone elicits a copulatory response in the male and completes the reproduction process. (Sonenshine 1985 and Sonenshine 1991).

28. Mated Sex Pheromone. Once mated, a female emits a pheromone that repels the advances of other males. (Dusbabek 1999).

29. The reproductive behavior of the tick described above is conducive to control of tick populations using the invention. At least four doses of the composition may be applied to the skin of the animal, two on each side of the animal and approximately one-meter apart.

When gorging male ticks sense the pheromone in the invention, they will cease gorging and seek out the source, which instinctively they believe to be a gorging female ready for mating. A large number of the ticks so attracted will be sexually immature and even if they locate an actual female they will be unable to reproduce, that is, pass their gametes to a new generation. The female will nonetheless emit a pheromone to repel other males before she disengages from the host to lay what will be sterile eggs. At this point the invention has served two very useful purposes. The breeding cycle has been broken for a large number of males and females, and large numbers of males have ceased gorging on the blood of the host animal.

31. A large proportion of the males ticks attracted by the pheromone will locate a dose of the composition and, instinctively believing the dose to be a female, they will attempt to mate because of the mounting pheromone in the composition. Contact with the composition will repel the male tick because of its sticky surface, but the length of the contact period will be sufficient for the male to absorb a fatal dose of acaricide. In any event, the composition will not contain the genital sex pheromone that stimulates copulation; therefore the male will have no reason to remain. One repelled male, fatally infected by the acaricide in the composition, will be replaced by another ad nauseum. Males fatally infected by the acaricide will be incapable of seeking out genuine females, while large numbers of females, unable to compete against the pheromone in the composition, will remain unfertilised. Some sexually mature males, attracted by the pheromone in the composition, will undoubtedly locate genuine females and mate successfully, but these will represent a small minority.

32. The composition will remain effective for up to six weeks because of stabilisation of the pheromones (and insecticide), after which time new doses will be required, subject to the treatment strategy employed. Some livestock operators will elect to treat only during the height of the tick-breeding season, while others will use a prophylactic approach and treat continuously.

33. The composition is waterproof and therefore will remain unaffected by rain, spaying or washing. While the composition cannot be absorbed through the hide or skin of the animal, some livestock operators may elect to apply the dose to neck and tail bands where it will be just as effective. The preferred acaricides are synthetic pyrethroids that offer a quick kill rate relatively short half-life and virtually no mammalian toxicity. Therefore, the composition is perfectly safe and comfortable for the animal and neither the meat nor hide will contain any pesticide residues. Nor will any damage be done to the environment as a result of spraying. The targeted tick species will also survive, but in numbers that will not cause any significant economic damage or risk to human health as a disease vector.

34. The invention may be used with following acaricides and, subject to chemical analysis, any future acaricide that may be developed for the control of members of the Order Acarina.

Complete details of the following may be found in The Pesticide Manual, 12th Edition, published 2000 and edited by the British Crop Protection council, London, UK.

Antibiotic Acaricides Nikkomycins, thuringiensin 36. Macrocyclic Lactone Acaricides tetranactin 37. Avermectin acaricides abamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin, selamectin 38. Milbemycin acaricides milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin 39. Bridged Diphenyl Acaricides azobenzene, benzoximate, benzyl benzoate, bromopropylate, chlorbenside, chlorfenethol, chlorfenson, chlorfensulphide, chlorobenzilate, chloropropylate, dicofol, diphenyl sulfone, dofenapyn, fenson, fentrifanil, fluorbenside, proclonol, tetradifon, tetrasul Carbamate Acaricides benomyl, carbanolate, carbaryl, carbofuran, methiocarb, metolcarb, promacyl, propoxur 41. Oxime Carbamate Acaricides aldicarb, butocarboxim, oxamyl, thiocarboxime, thiofanox 42. Dinitrophenol Acaricides binapacryl, dinex, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocap-4, dinocap-6, dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, DNOC 43. Formamidine Acaricides amitraz, chlordimeform, chloromebuform, formetanate, formparanate 44. Mite Growth Regulators clofentezine, dofenapyn, fluazuron, flubenzimine, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexythiazox Organochlorine Acaricides bromocyclen, camphechlor, dienochlor, endosulfan, lindane 46. Organophosphorus Acaricides chlorfenvinphos, crotoxyphos, dichlorvos, heptenophos, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, schradan, TEPP, tetrachlorvinphos 47. Organo Thiophosphate Acaricides amidithion, amiton, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, azothoate, benoxafos, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, carbophenothion, chlorpyrifos, chiorthiophos, coumaphos, cyanthoate, demeton, demeton-O, demeton-S, demeton-methyl, demeton-O-methyl, demeton-S-methyl, demeton-S-methylsulphon, dialifos, diazinon, dimethoate, dioxathion, disulfoton, endothion, ethion, ethoate-methyl, formothion, malathion, mecarbam, methacrifos, omethoate, oxydeprofos, oxydisulfoton, parathion, phenkapton phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, prothidathion prothoate, pyrimitate, -7quinalphos, quintiofos, sophamide, sulfotep, thiometon, triazophos trifenofos, vamidothion 48.

Phosphonate Acaricides trichlorfon 49. Phosphoramidothioate Acaricides isocarbophos, methamidophos, propetamphos Phosphorodiamide Acaricides dimefox, mipafox 51. Organotin Acaricides azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide 52. Phenylsulfamide Acaricides dichlofluanid 53. Phthalimide Acaricides dialifos, phosmet 54. Pyrazole Acaricides acetoprole, fipronil, tebufenpyrad, vaniliprole Pyrethroid Ester Acaricides acrinathrin, bifenthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, alphacypermethrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, fluvalinate, tau-fluvalinate, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin 56. Pyrethroid Ether Acaricides halfenprox 57. Pyrimidinamine Acaricides pyrimidifen 58. Pyrrole Acaricides chlorfenapyr 59. Quinoxaline Acaricides chinomethionat, thioquinox Sulfite Ester Acaricides propargite 61. Tetronic Acid Acaricides spirodiclofen 62. Thiocarbamate Acaricides fenothiocarb 63. Thiourea Acaricides chloromethiuron, diafenthiuron 64. Unclassified Acaricides acequinocyl, amidoflumet, arsenous oxide, bifenazate, closantel, crotamiton, disulfiram, etoxazole, fenazaflor, fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, fluacrypyrim, fluenetil, mesulfen, MNAF, nifluridide, pyridaben, sulfiram, sulfluramid, sulfur, triarathene Pheromones in the composition are generally molecules or mixtures of molecules that are identical to or closely approximate the pheromone emitted by the female of the target insect species to attract the male for the purpose of mating. However, in future, kairomones (which are plant essences comprising complex molecules that attract both sexes of the target insect species) may also be used. The science of kairomones is at a very early stage and, at this juncture, no molecules have yet been identified, much less synthesised. However, the science of pheromones is very well developed and many molecules have been both identified and synthesised, and are known from the literature. The molecules are from the following classes of compounds: acetates, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, epoxides, chiral compounds, compounds with heteroatoms, 7 branched compounds, mono-unsaturated compounds, di-unsaturated compounds, polyunsaturated compounds, acetylenic compounds.

66. The following list of molecules, shown in the order of chain length, may be used in the composition. The composition is not restricted to these pheromones and may use pheromones not listed or yet to be identified.

67. C-7: (2R)-Heptan-2-ol; (2S)-Heptan-2-ol; (Z)-4-Hepten-2-ol; (Z)-4-Hepten-2-ol; (Z)-4-Hepten-2-one 68. C-8: (2R)-Pentyl octanoate; 1-methylethyl octanoate 69. C-9: Pentyl nonanoate; Nonan-2-one; (Z)-6-Nonen-2-one; (Z)-6-Nonen-2-ol; (2S)-(Z)-6-Nonen-2-ol; (R)-(Z)-6,8-Nonadien-2-ol; (S)-(Z)-6,8-Nonadien-2-ol; Nonadien-2-ol; (S)-(E)-6,8-Nonadien-2-ol C-10: Decan-1-ol; Decyl acetate; 2-Butyl decanoate; (2R)-Pentyl decanoate; (2R)-Hexyl decanoate; 2-Hexyl decanoate; (Z)-3-Decenyl acetate; (Z)-4-Decenyl acetate; (E)-4-Decenyl acetate; -Decen-l1-ol; -Decenyl 3-methylbutanoate; -Decenyl acetate; Decenal; -Decen-l1-ol; -Decenyl acetate; (Z)-7-Decenyl acetate; (E)-7-Decenyl acetate; (ZE)-3 ,5 -Decadienyl acetate; ,5 -Decadienyl acetate; ,9-Decadienyl acetate 7 1. C-il1: Undecan-1I-ol; Undecyl acetate; Undecenyl acetate; Undecen-1I-ol; (Z)-7-Undecenyl acetate; (Z)-8-Undecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Undecenyl acetate; (E)-9-Undecenyl acetate; Undecenal; 11 -Chloro- 8,1 0-undecadien-l1-ol 72. C-i12: Dodecan-l1-ol; Dodecyl acetate; 1 0-Methyldodecyl acetate; 1 -Methyldodecyl acetate; 10-Methyldodecyl acetate; Dodecanal; 2-Butyl dodecanoate; Pentyl dodecanoate; Dodecenyl acetate; Dodecen-l1-ol; (Z)-3-Dodecenyl acetate; (E)-3-Dodecenyl acetate; (E)-4-Dodecenyl acetate; (Z)-5-Dodecen-l1-ol; -Dodecenyl acetate; Dodecenyl (Z)-5-dodecenoate -Dodecenal; -Dodecenyl acetate; (Z)-7-Dodecen-l1-ol (Z)-7-Dodecenyl formate; (Z)-7-Dodecenyl acetate; (Z)-7-Dodecenyl propionate; Dodecenyl butyrate; (Z)-7-Dodecenal; (E)-7-Dodecen-l1-ol; (E)-7-Dodecenyl acetate; 8- Dodecen-l1-ol; (Z)-8-Dodecenyl acetate; (E)-8-Dodecen-l1-ol; 7,7-Difluoro-(Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate; (E)-8-Dodecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Dodecen-1I-ol; (Z)-9-Dodecenyl acetate; 11, 11 -Difluoro- (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Dodecenal; (E)-9-Dodecen-1-ol; (E)-9-Dodecenyl acetate; Dodecenal; (Z)-1I0-Dodecenyl acetate; (E)-1I0-Dodecen-1I-ol; (E)-1I0-Dodecenyl acetate; 11I- Dodecen- 1 -ol; 11I -Dodecenyl acetate; Dodecadienyl acetate; ,5 -Dodecadienyl acetate; ,5 -Dodecadienyl acetate; 10-Dodecadienyl acetate; ,7-Dodecadienal; ,7-Dodecadien-l1-ol; ,7-Dodecadienyl acetate; ,7-Dodecadienyl propionate; ,7-Dodecadienal; ,7-Dodecadien-l1-ol; ,7-Dodecadienyl acetate; ,7- Dodecadienal; ,7-Dodecadien-l1-ol; (Z,Z)-7,9-Dodecadien- 1-ol;(Z,Z)-7,9-Dodecadienyl acetate; (Z,E)-7,9-Dodecadien- I -ol; (Z,E)-7,9-Dodecadienyl acetate; (Z)-9-Dodecen-7-yn- I -ol acetate; (E,Z)-7,9-Dodecadien-1-ol; (E,Z)-7,9-Dodecadienyl acetate; (E,Z)-7,9-Dodecadienal; (L,E)-7,9-Dodecadienyl acetate; 10-Dodecadien-l1-ol; 10-Dodecadienyl acetate; 10-Dodecadien-l1-ol; 10-Dodecadienyl acetate; 10-Dodecadienal; 8,1 0-Dodecadien-l1-ol;(E,Z)-8, 10-Dodecadienyl acetate; 10-Dodecadienal; Dodecadien-l1-ol, Codlemone; 8,9-Difluoro-(E,E)-8, 10-dodecadien-l1-ol; 10,11 -Difluoro-(E,E)- 8,1 0-dodecadien-l1-ol; 10-Dodecadienyl acetate; 10-Dodecadienal; 9,11 Dodecadienyl acetate; 11 -Dodecadien- 1 -ol; 11 -Dodecadienyl acetate; 11- Dodecadienal; 11-Dodecadien-l1-ol; 11 -Dodecadienyl acetate; 11- Dodecadienal; 11 -Dodecatrienyl formnate; 8,9,10,11 -Tetrafluoro-(E,E)-8, dodecadien- 1 -ol; 11, 11, 11, 12, 12-Pentafluoro-(Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate 73. C-13: Tridecan-1-ol; Tridecyl acetate; Tridecenyl acetate; (L)-3-Tridecenyl acetate; Tridecenyl acetate; (E)-4-Tridecenyl acetate; (E)-6-Tridecenyl acetate; (Z)-8-Tridecenyl acetate; (L)-8-Tridecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Tridecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Tridecenyl nitrate; (E)-9-Tridecenyl acetate; (Z)-1I0-Tridecenyl acetate; II-Tridecenyl acetate; II-Tridecenyl acetate; 4,7-Tridecadienyl acetate; 11I-Methyl- 12-tridecadienyl acetate; Tridecatrienyl acetate 74. C-14: Tetradecan-1-ol; Tetradecyl acetate; 12-Methyltetradecyl acetate; Tetradecanal; Tetradecenyl acetate; (E)-3-Tetradecenyl acetate; -Tetradecen-l1-ol; -Tetradecenyl acetate; -Tetradecenal; (E)-5-Tetradecen-l1-ol; -Tetradecenyl acetate; Tetradecenyl acetate; (E)-6-Tetradecenyl acetate; (Z)-7-Tetradecen-l1-ol; (Z)-7-Tetradecenyl acetate; Isopropyl- (Z)-7-tetradecenoate; 2-Butyl- (Z)-7-tetradecenoate; (R)-2-Butyl-(Z)-7tetradecenoate; (S)-2-Butyl- (Z)-7-tetradecenoate; (Z)-7-Tetradecenal; (E)-7-Tetradecenyl acetate; 8-Tetradecen-l1-ol; (Z)-8-Tetradecenyl acetate; 8-Tetradecenyl formate; Tetradecenyl acetate; 8-Tetradecenyl formate; (Z)-9-Tetradecen- I -ol; (Z)-9-Tetradecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Tetradecenyl formate; (Z)-9-Tetradecenal; (Z)-9-Tetradecenyl nitrate; Tetradecen-l1-ol; (E)-9-Tetradecenyl acetate; delta-i 0-Tetradecenyl acetate; 1 -Tetradecenyl acetate; 1 -Tetradecenyl acetate; 11-Tetradecen-l1-ol; 11-Tetradecenyl acetate; 1 1-Tetradecenal; 1-Tetradecen-1-ol; 1-Tetradecenyl acetate; 14-Fluoro-(E)-1 1tetradecenyl acetate; II-Tetradecenal; 12-Tetradecenyl acetate; 12-Tetradecenyl acetate; ,5 -Tetradecadienyl acetate; ,5 -Tetradecadienyl acetate; ,5 Tetradecadienyl acetate; ,7-Tetradecadienyl acetate; ,8-Tetradecadienyl acetate; (L,Z)-4,9-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 10-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 8,10- Tetradecadienal; 10-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 8,1 0-Tetradecadienal; 11- Tetradecadien- 1 -ol; 11 -Tetradecadienyl acetate; 11 -Tetradecadienal; 11- Tetradecadien- 1 -ol; 11 -Tetradecadienyl acetate; 11 -Tetradecadienal; 11- Tetradecadienyl acetate; -Tetradecadienyl acetate; 12-Tetradecadien- 1 -ol; 12-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 12-Tetradecadien-l1-ol; 12-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 12-Tetradecadienyl propionate; 12-Tetradecadienal; 12- Tetradecadienyl acetate; delta-i 0-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 10,1 2-Tetradecadienal; 10,12- Tetradecadien-l1-ol; 10,1 2-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 10,1 2-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 10, 12-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 10, 12-Tetradecadien-l1-ol; 10,12- Tetradecadienyl acetate; 11, 13-Tetradecadienal; 11, 13-Tetradecadienyl acetate; 11,1 3-Tetradecadienal; ,8,11 -Tetradecatrienyl acetate; 11,1 3-Tetradecatrienyl acetate; 11,1 3-Tetradecatrienal; 1 4-Fluoro-(Z)- 11I -tetradecenyl acetate; 14,14,14- Trifluoro-(Z)- 1-tetradecenyl acetate; 14,14,1 4-Trifluoro- 1-tetradecenyl acetate C-i15: Pentadecan-l1-ol; Pentadecyl acetate; 6,10,1 4-Trimethyl-2-pentadecanol; (RR)- 6,10,1 4-Trimethyl-2-pentadecanol; 10,1 4-Dimethylpentadecyl isobutyrate; 10,14- Dimethylpentadecyl isobutyrate; 10,1 4-Dimethylpentadecyl isobutyrate; Pentadecan-2-one; ,9-Dimethylpentadecane; Pentadecenyl acetate; 8-Pentadecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Pentadecenyl acetate; (E)-9-Pentadecenyl acetate; 1 -Pentadecenyl acetate; 1 -Pentadecenal; 12- 10 Pentadecenyl acetate; 12-Pentadecenyl acetate; 1,11 -Pentadecadiene; 1,1 Pentadecadiene; 8,1 0-Pentadecadienyl acetate; 10-Pentadecadienyl acetate; 8,1 0-Pentadecadienyl acetate; 8,1 0-Pentadecadienyl acetate; -Pentadecadienal; 76. C-16: Hexadecan-1I-ol; Hexadecyl acetate; Hexadecanal; Methyl hexadecanoate; 2- Methyihexadecane; 3,1 3-Dimethyihexadecane; 5 ,9-Dimethylhexadecane; Hexadecen-l1-ol; Hexadecenyl acetate; Methyl hexadecenoate; (Z)-3-Hexadecenyl acetate; acetate; (E)-5-Hexadecenyl acetate; (E)-6-Hexadecenyl acetate; (Z)-7-Hexadecenyl acetate; 7-Hexadecenal; (Z)-9-Hexadecen-l1-ol; (Z)-9-Hexadecenyl acetate; (Z)-9-Hexadecenal; Hexadecenonitrile; 1 -Hexadecenyl acetate; 1 -Hexadecenal; 1 -Hexadecenal; 1 I1-Hexadecen-1I-ol; II-Hexadecenyl formate; 1 I1-Hexadecenyl acetate; II-Hexadecenyl acetate; II-Hexadecenyl trifluoroacetate; II-Hexadecenal; II-Hexadecenonitrile; II-Hexadecen-1I-ol; II-Hexadecenyl acetate; II-Hexadecenal; 1 I1-Hexadecynyl acetate; 1 2-Hexadecenyl acetate; 1 2-Hexadecenal; 11 -Hexadecadienyl acetate; 11 -Hexadecadienal; (Z,Z)-7,11I -Hexadecadien- 1 -ol; (Z,Z)-7,11I -Hexadecadienyl acetate; (Z,Z)-7,11I -Hexadecadienal; (Z,E)-7,11I -Hexadecadien- 1 -ol; (Z,E)-7,11I -Hexadecadienyl acetate; (Z,E)-7,11 -Hexadecadienal; 8,1 0-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 11 -Hexadecadienal; 11 -Hexadecadienal; 10, 12-Hexadecadienal; 10, 12-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 10, 12-Hexadecadienal; 10, 12-Hexadecadien-l1-ol, Bombykol; 10,12- Hexadecadienyl acetate; 10,1 2-Hexadecadienal, Bombykal; 10,1 2-Hexadecadien- 1ol; 10, 1 2-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 10, 1 2-Hexadecadienal; 11, 13- Hexadecadien- 1 -ol; 11, 13-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 11, 13-Hexadecadienal; 11, 13-Hexadecadien- 1 -ol; 11, 13-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 11, 13-Hexadecadienal; 11, 13-Hexadecadien- 1 -ol; 11, 13-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 11, 13- Hexadecadienal; 11, 13-Hexadecadien- 1 -ol; 11, 13-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 11, 13-Hexadecadienal; 1 3-Hexadecen- IlI-yn-lI -ol; 1 3-Hexadecen- IlI-yn-lI -ol acetate; 1 3-Hexadecen- 11I -ynal; 11, 14-Hexadecadienyl acetate; 1 0-Hexadecatrien- 1 -ol; 10-Hexadecatrienyl acetate; 10-Hexadecatrien-l1-ol; 4,6, 1 0-Hexadecatrienyl acetate; 11 -Hexadecatrienyl acetate; 11- Hexadecatrienal; 10,12,1 4-Hexadecatrienyl acetate; 10,12,1 4-Hexadecatrienyl acetate; 10,12, 14-Hexadecatrienal; 10,12, 14-Hexadecatrienal 77. C-17: Heptadecyl acetate; 16-Methyiheptadecyl isobutyrate; Heptadecane; Heptadecan-2one; 2-Methyiheptadecane; 5 -Methylheptadecane; 7-Methyiheptadecane; Methyiheptadecane; 2,5 -Dimethyiheptadecane; -Dimethyiheptadecane; Dimethylheptadecane; 3,1 3-Dimethyiheptadecane 13-Dimethyiheptadecane; 5,9- Dimethyiheptadecane; (S ,9-Dimethylheptadecane; 5,11 -Dimethyiheptadecane; 11- Dimethyiheptadecane; 7,11 -Dimethyiheptadecane; Heptadecenyl acetate; Heptadecene; 2- Methyl-cis-6,7-epoxyheptadecane; 16-Methyl-9-heptadecenyl isobutyrate; 11- Heptadecenyl acetate; (Z,Z)-6,9-Heptadecadiene; (Z)-9-cis-6,7-Epoxyheptadecene; 3,6,9-Heptadecatriene; (Z,Z)-6,9-cis-3,4-Epoxyheptadecadiene; Epoxyheptadecadiene; (3S ,4R)-3 ,4-Epoxyheptadecadiene; ,9-cis-6,7- Epoxyheptadecadiene; (Z,Z)-3,6-ci s-9,1 I -Epoxyheptadecadiene; 78. C-18: Octadecan-1-ol; Octadecyl acetate; Octadecanal; Methyl octadecanoate; 2- Methyloctadecane; 4-Methyloctadecane; 14-Methyl-i -octadecene; 14-Methyl-i octadecene; 5 ,9-Dimethyloctadecane; 10,1 4-Dimethyl-l1-octadecene; Octadecenyl acetate; Methyl octadecenoate; (E)-2-Octadecenyl acetate; (E)-2-Octadecenal; 6-Octadecenyl 11 isovalerate ;6-Octadecenyl valerate; (Z)-7-Octadecenyl isobutyrate; (Z)-7-Octadecenyl butyrate; (Z)-7-Octadecenyl methylbutyrate; (Z)-7-Octadecenyl isovalerate; (Z)-7-Octadecene; 2-Methyl- (Z)-7-octadecene; (7S,8R)-7,8-Epoxyoctadecane; cis -7,8 -Epoxy-2-methyloctadecane; (7S,8R)- 7 ,8-Epoxy-2-methyloctadecane; 9-Octadecenyl isovalerate; (Z)-9-Octadecenyl isovalerate; 9-Octadecenyl methylbutyrate; (Z)-9-Octadecenal; 11-Octadecenal; 11-Octadecenal; 1 3-Octadecen-l1-ol; 13-Octadecenyl acetate; 13-Octadecenal; 13-Octadecenal; 14-Octadecenal; Methyl octadecadienoate; 13-Octadecadienyl acetate; 13- Octadecadienyl acetate; 13-Octadecadien-l1-ol; 13-Octadecadienyl acetate; 13-Octadecadienal; 13-Octadecadien-l1-ol; 13-Octadecadienyl acetate; 13-Octadecadienal; 13-Octadecadienyl acetate; 13-Octadecadien-l1-ol; 13-Octadecadienyl acetate; 13-Octadecadienyl acetate; Epoxyoctadecene; 10-Epoxyoctadecene; (Z)-6-(9S,I1OR)-9, 10-Epoxyoctadecene; 9, 12-Octadecadienal; 11, 14-Octadecadienal; 11,1 3-Octadecadienal; 13,15- Octadecadienal; ,6,9-Octadecatrienyl acetate; ,6,9-Octadecatriene; 3 ,4-Epoxyoctadecadiene; ,9-6,7-Epoxyoctadecadiene; (6S ,7R)-6,7- Epoxyoctadecadiene; (9R,I1OS)-9, 10-Epoxyoctadecadiene; Epoxidized ,6 ,9octadecatriene; 12,15 -Octadecatrienal (9S,I1OR)-9, (7R,8S)-7 ,8-Epoxyoctadecane, Monachalure; (7R,8S)-7 ,8-Epoxy-2-methyloctadecane, Disparlure 79. G- 19: Nonadecane; 2-Methylnonadecane; (S)-9-Methylnonadecane; (Z)-6-ci s-9, Epoxynonadecene; 1 OR)-9, 1 0-Epoxynonadecene;(Z)-7-Nonadecen- 11I-one Nonadecene; (Z,Z)-6,9-Nonadecadiene; -6,9-Nonadecadien- 3-one; Epoxynonadecene; (6R,7S)-6,7-Epoxynonadecene; (6S,7R)-6,7-Epoxynonadecene; (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-Nonadecatriene; (Z,Z)-6,9-3,4-Epoxynonadecadiene; (Z,Z)-6,9-cis-3,4- Epoxynonadecadiene; (Z,Z)-6,9-(3R,4S)-3,4-Epoxynonadecadiene; Epoxynonadecadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-6,7-Epoxynonadecadiene; ,9-cis-6,7- Epoxynonadecadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-(6R,7S)-6,7-Epoxynonadecadiene; Epoxynonadecadiene; 10-Epoxynonadecadiene; ,6-cis-9, Epoxynonadecadiene; (9R,I1OS)-9, 10-Epoxynonadecadiene; Epoxidized nonadecatriene; 1,3 ,6,9-Nonadecatetraene; 1,3 ,6,9-Nonadecatetraene; 11 -Nonadecatetraene; (Z,Z)-3,6-(9S,I1OR)-9, C-20: Licosyl acetate; Eicosan-l1-ol; Eicosane 10-Epoxyeicosene; (7R,8S)-7,8- Epoxy-2-methyleicosane, Xylinalure; (7S ,8R)-7 ,8-Epoxy-2-methyleicosane, Xylinalure; (Z)-7-Eicosene- 11I-one; (Z)-9-Eicosene; (Z,Z)-3,6-Eicosadiene; (Z,Z)-6,9-Eicosadiene; 3,6,9-Licosatriene; (Z,Z)-6,9-3,4-Epoxyeicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-6,7-Epoxyeicosadiene; (6R,7S)-6,7-Epoxyeicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-(6S,7R)-6,7-Epoxyeicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,6-cis-9, Epoxyeicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,6-(9R,I1OS)-9, 10-Epoxyeicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,6-(9S,I1OR)-9, Epoxyeicosadiene; 1,3,6-cis-9, 10-Epoxyeicosatriene; Epoxidized eicosatriene; 1,3,6,9-Eicosatetraene 8 1. C-2 1: (Z)-6-Heneicosene-9-one, Thyel linone; (Z)-6-Heneicosene- IlI-one; Heneicosadiene- 11I-one; (Z,E)-6,9-Heneicosadiene- 11I-one; (Z,Z)-6,9-Heneicosadiene- 11I-one; Heneicosene; (Z)-9-Heneicosene; (Z,Z)-3,6-Heneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-6,9-Heneicosadiene; 9,1 0-Epoxyheneicosene; (Z)-6-cis-9, 10-Epoxyheneicosene; (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-Heneicosatriene; (Z,Z)-6,9,20-Heneicosatriene;(Z,Z)-6,9-3,4-Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-6,9-cis-3,4- Epoxyheneicosadiene; 10-Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,6-cis-9, -12- Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-6,7-Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-cis-6,7- Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-(6R,7S)-6,7-Epoxyheneicosadiene; Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z)-3-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxyheneicosene; Epoxidized heneicosatriene; (Z,Z,Z)-1,3,6,9-Heneicosatetraene; (Z,Z)-1,3,6-cis-9,10-Epoxyheneicosatriene; (Z,Z)-3,6-(9R,10S)-9,10-Epoxyheneicosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,6-(9S,10R)-9,10-Epoxyheneicosadiene; 10R)-9,10-Epoxyheneicosatriene 82. C-22: Docosyl acetate; Docosane; (Z,Z)-6,9-Docosadiene; (Z,Z)-3,9-6,7-Epoxydocosadiene; (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-Docosatriene; (Z,Z,Z,Z)-7,13,16,19-Docosatetraen-l-ol isobutyrate 83. C-23: Tricosane; (Z)-7-Tricosan-11-one; (Z,Z)-3,6-9,10-Epoxytricosadiene Epoxytricosadiene;(Z,Z)-6,9-Tricosadiene; (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-Tricosatriene 84. C-24+: Tetracosyl acetate; Tetracosane; Pentacosane; (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-Pentacosatriene; Hexacosane; Heptacosane; Octacosane; Nonacosane Other: Methyl-3,5-dichloro-4-methoxybenzoate; Methylanisate 86. Kairomones are also naturally occurring signal substances. They are generally produced by plants and consist in most cases of a mixture of several aromatic and volatile compounds.

Kairomones are capable of attracting both male and female representatives of the Order Acarina.

However, repellent effects are also possible, subject to the concentration. It is preferable that Kairomones be used with Pheromones.

87. The pesticidally active compounds and attractants employed in the compositions must be compatible with the remaining constituents and at least partially soluble therein. The volatility of the pesticidally active ingredients in the composition should be sufficiently low to remain on or near the surface of the globule for an adequate period to allow uptake of the active ingredient by the target pest to be controlled.

88. A flowable composition for the purposes of the invention is one that demonstrates flow characteristics similar to honey. Compositions with greater flow characteristics may be used as long as they adhere to the hide of the animal or attachments on the animal. Compositions with lower flow characteristics may prove to be difficult to dispense. The viscosity of the composition should be within a range of 20,000 to 30,000 cP (centipoise), preferably 25,000 cP. The viscosity of the composition should be determined using the so-called torsion principle which measures the torque required to overcome the resistance of a fluid because of its viscosity.

89. The UV radiation absorber required for the composition is a compound that absorbs UV radiation in the range 270 to 400 nM. UV radiation absorbers are readily available commercially for this range and are well known in the plastic, photographic and paint industries. UV radiation absorbers typically dissipate the absorbed radiation as thermal energy. The preferred compounds belong to the following chemical groups: Benzotriazole derivatives, Benzophenone derivatives, Cinnamic acid derivatives, Oxalanilides, Sterically hindered amines, Piperidine derivatives, and Triazines. The Benzotriazole derivatives are preferred, notably Tinuvin(tm) 171 which is supplied in liquid form and covers the required absorption range. Other compounds, not normally classified as UV radiation absorbers, may be used in the composition provided they are stable to light, demonstrate a sufficiently high performance in the required absorption range and -13are compatible with the remaining components. They should also contribute to the viscosity of the composition. In the event other compounds are used, they should be used in combination with Benzotriazoles, preferably in an amount less than 10% of the weight of the total composition.

The quantity of UV radiation absorber in the composition should fall in the range 60% to by weight provided an Optical Brightener is also used. Otherwise the range should be to 90% by weight. A composition that comprises only one UV absorber is preferred over multiple compounds. The UV radiation absorbers used should also be relatively viscous in view of the amount used in the composition. They should be in liquid or flowable form with a cP value of between 10,000 and 30,000. On the other hand, it is also possible to use one or more solid UV absorbers and to convert them into the required flowable form using solvents. It is also possible to mix a flowable UV absorber with a solid UV absorber to convert the composition into the desired flowable form.

91. The Optical Brightener required for the composition is a compound that absorbs UV radiation in the range 270 to 400 Nm, converts the radiation and re-emits the same as blue light.

The amount of Optical Brightener to be used in conjunction with a UV radiation absorber is up to 10% by weight. Optical Brighteners are derived from the following chemical groups: Triazinylaminostilbenes, Triazoles, Benzoxazoles, Furans, Benzimidazoles, Pyrazolines, Naphthalimides and Coumarins. The preferred compound for use in the composition is Uvitex OB(tm) or 2.5-thiophenediylbis(5-tert-butyl-1,3-benzoxazole).

92. The composition will require viscosity-regulating thickeners in an amount of from 1% to by weight. Suitable organic thickeners include: base-neutralized acrylic acid polymers of high molecular weight and relatively high viscosity ("Carbpole" types), polyvinylpyrrolidones, cellulose gums, in particular cellulose alkyl esters and cellulose alkyl ethers ("Blanose" types), liquid polyalkylene glycol block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide ("Pluronic" types), polyethylene glycols with a molecular weight of above 10 000, and polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of approximately 1000 (Glissopal 1000). Suitable inorganic thickeners include: precipitated or pyrogenic silicas, aluminas and rock meals, in particular calcite, various types of talcum, or kaolins, bentonites, montmorillonites, smectites and attapulgite, aluminalsilica ("Aerosil" types) and sodium aluminium silicates. Quartz sand or crosslinked solid pulverulent polymers may be incorporated into the products as additional fillers. The recommended viscosity regulators for the composition are a Polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of 1,000 (for example, Glissopal(tm) 1000) supplemented by an Aluminalsilic aerosil, for example COK 84(tm).

93. To modify the viscosity of the composition according to the invention, it may be expedient in certain cases to add an inert solvent or diluent. Solvents should be compatible with the remaining constituents of the product and, preferably, of low volatility. Suitable examples solvents include: ethers and ether-like compounds of low volatility such as dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, dioxane, dimethoxyethane and tetrahydrofuran; N,N-dialkylated carboxamides; aliphatic, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, in particular pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, octanes, hexadecane, toluene, xylenes, chlorohydrocarbons and chlorobenzenes, alcohols, such as ethanol, propanols, t-butanol and higher alcohols; nitriles, such as acetonitrile or propionitrile; and ketones, for example methyl isopropyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone; alkyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as butyl propionate, methyl oxalate, dibutyl sebacate, di(2- -14ethyihexyl) sebacate. In general, the composition will contain relatively small amounts of solvents or less than 2% by weight.

94. The invention is highly suitable for controlling undesirable representatives of the Order Acarina, notably, but not restricted to species from the Jxodidae Family (Hardbacked ticks) and certain species of mite that are Ecto-Parasites on livestock, notably cattle and sheep as well as members of the Order Artiodactyle (deer family).

Acaridae (Storage Mites), Analgidae (Feather Mites), Anystidae (Predatory Mites), Argasidae (Sofibacked Ticks), Atopomelidae (Parasitic Mites), Bdellidae (Snout Mites), Carpoglyphidae (Dried Fruit Mites), Cheyletidae (Predatory Mites), Demodicidae (Follicle Mites), Dermanyssidae (Red Mites), Dermationidae (Feather Mites), Epidermoptidae (Feather Mites), Eriophyidae (Birch and Maple Mites), Glycyphagidae (Hairy Mites), Halarachnidae, Jxodidae (Hardbacked Ticks), Kneridokoptidae, Kytoditidae, Laelapidae (Rodent Mites), Laminosioptidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae, Listrophoridae, Macrochelidae, Macronyssidae (Red Mites), Microdispidae, Penthaleidae, Phytoptidae, Phytoseiidae (Predatory Mites), Psorergatidae, Psoroptidae (Scab Mites), Pyemotidae (Itch Mites), Pyroglyphidae, Rhinonyssidae, Rhynchaphytoptidae, Sarcoptidae (Mange or Itch Mites), Sitercoptidae, Tarsonemidae (Glossy Mites), Teinocoptidae, Tenuipalpidae (False Spider Mites), Tetranychidae (Spider Mites), Trombiculidae (Chigger Mites), Turbinoptidae, Varroidae (Bee Mites) 96. Especially good control is possible in, but not restricted to the following species of the Ixodidae (Hardbacked Tick) family: Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma cajennense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma darwini, Amblyomma glauerti, Amblyomma hebraeum, Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma nodosum Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma rhinocerotis, Amblyomma sparsum, Amblyomma triguttatum, Amblyomma triguttatum, Amblyomma tuberculatum, Amblyomma variegatum, Amblyomma vikirri, Anocentor nitens, Aponomma concolor, Aponomma fimbriatum,Aponomma glebopalma, Aponomma hydrosauri, Aponomma latum, Aponomma undatum, Aponomma varanensis, Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Boophilus geigyi, Boophilus kohlsi, Boophilus microplus, Bothriocroton auruginans, Dermacentor albipictus, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor halli, Dermacentor hunteri, Dermacentor imitans, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor nitens, Dermacentor occidentalis, Dermacentor parumapertus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor rhinocerinus, Dermacentor variabilis, Haemaphysalis cretica, Haemaphysalis humerosa, Haemaphysalis inennis, Haemaphysalis leachi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Haemaphysalis longicomis, Haemaphysalis petrogalis, Haemaphysalis punctata, Hyalomma aegyptium, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma hussaini, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Ixodes acutitarsus, Ixodes affinis, Ixodes angustus, Ixodes antechini, Ixodes asanumai, Ixodes auritulus, Ixodes banksi, Ixodes brunneus, Ixodes cookei, Ixodes cornuatus, Ixodes corwini, Ixodes dammini, Ixodes dampfi, Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes gibbosus, Ixodes granulatus, Ixodes hexagonus, Ixodes holocyclus, Ixodes jellisoni, xodes kopsteini, xodes lasallei, xodes loricatus, xodes luciae, xodes minor, xodes monospinosus, Ixodes muris, Ixodes neotomae, Ixodes neuquenensis, Ixodes nipponensis, Ixodes nuttallianus, Ixodes ornithorhynchi, Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes pararicinus, Ixodes pavlovskyi, Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes pilosus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes sculptus, Ixodes sigelos, Ixodes simplex, Ixodes spinipalpis, Ixodes tanuki, Ixodes tasmani, Ixodes turdus, Ixodes uriae, Ixodes vespertilionis, Ixodes woodi Nosomma monstrosum Rhipicentor bicomis, Rhipicentor nuttalli, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus compositus, Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus kochi, Rhipicephalus maculatus, Rhipicephalus pravus, Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Rhipicephalus pumilio, Rhipicephalus punctatus, Rhipicephalus pusillus, Rhipicephalus rossicus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus simus, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis, Rhipicephalus zumpti 97. Reduction of tick numbers on livestock and members of Order Artiodactyle should also cause a corresponding reduction in human disease caused, in most cases, by bacteria that use the ticks as vectors. Such human disease includes Erythema Migrans or Lyme disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi found on Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus which typically use deer as a host; Ehrlichiosis caused by bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii found on the tick Amblyomma americanum which typically use white deer as a host, but are also found on domestic animals; Babesiosis caused by the parasite Babesia microtii found on Ixodes scapularis which typically use deer as a host; Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Rickettsia caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsi found on the ticks Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor andersoni and Amblyomma americanum which typically use domestic animals and deer as hosts; Southern tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) similar to Lyme disease and caused by the bacterium Borrelia lonestari found on the tick Amblyomma americanum which typically uses deer as its host; Tularemia caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis found on the ticks Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor andersoni which typically use deer and rabbits as hosts and Tick-borne Relapsing Fever caused by the bacterium Borrelia hermsii found on the tick Ornithodoros hermsi that use mice and squirrels as hosts.

There are several tick-bome diseases found in countries outside of the USA that are similar to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and include Mediterranean spotted fever (Rickettsia conorii), African tick-bite fever (Rickettsia africae), Queensland tick typhus (Rickettsia australis) and North Asian tick fever (Rickettsia sibirica). In Australia, human beings can suffer paralysis from a bite of the tick Ixodes holocyclus typically found on domestic cats and dogs. Ixodes holocyclus is one of 40 species of ticks worldwide that causes paralysis from venom. Other tick-bome disease includes Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium), Tick-bite Fever (Rickettsia conori), Nairobi Sheep Disease (Nairovirus), Q Fever (Coxiella burnettii), dermatophylosis (Dermatophilus congolensis).

98. Attract-and-Kill technology using attractants stabilised by UV absorbers in combination with a pesticidally active material has been available since 1996, but this technology employs carbon black dye compounds to achieve additional protection against UV radiation. Noting the propensity for carbon black to absorb gaseous molecules, the presence of these dyes impedes the performance of the attractant in the composition. The presence of Optical Brighteners in the invention composition compensates for the absence of carbon black dyes.

99. The same Attract-and-Kill technology does not include a chemical compound to control the release into the atmosphere of attractant gaseous molecules nor the release of the insecticide or acaricide active to the surface. The presence of castor oil in the invention composition controls the release of both the attractant and insecticide and therefore may extend the effective life of the composition beyond six weeks.

100. The same Attract-and-Kill technology has been developed for the control of insects and and mites on horticultural and field crops rather than animal health. Therefore, the invention -16represents not only a significant improvement in composition over the earlier technology, but a new application for the technology.

101. Attract-and-Kill technology in horticulture is severely limited where the target insect pest or mite exhibits resistance to the pesticidally active material. Under these circumstances, the insect or mite is able to exit after making contact with the globule and remains capable of mating. This has resulted in the development of a related technology known as "Attract-and-Sterilise".

Attract-and-Sterilise technology employs a pesticidally active compound that interrupts the moulting process in the female. The male, after making contact with the globule, removes minute quantities of the insecticide or acaricide and impregnates the female with the same during mating. Only a limited number of insecticides or acaricides may be used for this purpose and are as follows: imidocloprid, tebufenozide, diofenolan, fenoxycarb, methoprene, kinoprene and pyriproxyfen. It will be noted that these compounds are not contained in list of acaricides provided above.

102. The inventor of the Attract-and-Sterilise technology claims that the invention may be used to control undesirable members of Order Acarina that become ecto-parasites on livestock and other domestic animals by treating grazing lands and animal houses. However, this claim is incorrect, at least as far as ticks are concerned. Ticks will only mate while gorging on the host animal and, in the absence of resistance to acaricides, Attract-and-Kill is the preferred technology, but only when applied externally to the host animal. The pesticidally active compounds listed for Attract-and-Sterilise are not suitable for Attract-and-Kill because they do not destroy or disable the insect on contact.

103. Moreover, the composition recommended for the Attract-and-Sterilise technology has largely remained unchanged from the Attract-and-Kill composition in that it contains a carbon black dye, but no Optical Brighteners nor a controlled-release compound.

104. A second Attract-and-Kill technology that uses attractants stabilised by UV absorbers in combination with pesticidally active material is available in a different form. This technology, which has also been available since 1996 and is patented for horticultural purposes only, uses a curable polymer such as polyvinyl acetate and a xanthan-based heteropolysaccharide to create a globule with a skin rather than a sticky surface. The inventor claims that the risk to occupational safety is significantly less with a globule enclosed by a skin, but surprisingly, the attractant and pesticide may permeate through the skin to the detriment of the target insect. However, in view of the size, distribution, concentration of pesticide and life of the globule of the composition, the risk to occupational safety will always be insignificant if not zero. Furthermore, empirical evidence is clear that the target insect or member of Order Acarina is repelled by the sticky surface of the globule after making contact. Otherwise, the target pest may remain on the globule and prevent other males from making contact with the same.

105. A typical formulation of the composition will comprise: 2.00 gram of Lambda-Cyhalothrin active, 0.25 gram of attractant 70.00 gram of a liquid Hydroxyphenyl Benzotriazole (for example Tinuvin(tm) 171), 10.00 gram of a liquid Benzoxazole (for example Uvitex OB(tm)), 10.00 gram of castor oil, 5.00 gram of a Polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of 1,000 (for example, Glissopal(tm) 1000), 2.75 gram of an aluminalsilic aerosil (for example COK 84(tm)), Hexane may be added to establish a viscosity of 25,000 cP.

-17- 106. Different acaricides, subject to the KD50 rate, will require different quantities in the composition. Certain attractants may be less sensitive to UV radiation and therefore require less UV Absorber or Optical Brightener in the composition. Similarly, certain acaricides may have a higher viscosity and therefore require a reduced quantity of viscosity regulators in the composition. Under these circumstances the composition will comprise different quantities of the components shown above. 22

Claims (7)

1. An Acaricide attract-and-kill formulation comprising: 0.1% to 5% by weight of an acaricide active compound (for example, Lambda-Cyhalothrin or Deltamethrin), 0.01% to 1.0% by weight of the target insect pheromone (or other signal substances including kairomones and naturally occurring attractants) at a level greater than that emitted by competing females, 60%to 80% by weight of an UV Radiation Absorber selected from the Hydroxyphenyl Benzotriazole group (for example Tinuvin(tm) 171) which can absorb UV radiation in the range 270 to 400 nM, 0.1% to by weight of an Optical Brightener (for example Uvitex OB(tm)) which can convert UV radiation in the range 270 to 400 nM and emit the same as visible light, 10% to 50% by weight of Castor Oil, a controlled-release medium for both the pheromone and insecticide, 0.1% to by weight of a viscosity-regulator to establish a formulation with a viscosity of 25,000 cP. The preferred viscosity-regulator is a Polyisobutylene with a molecular weight of 1,000 (for example, Glissopal(tm) 1000) supplemented by an Aluminalsilic aerosil, for example COK 84(tm). 0.1% to 3.0% by weight of an aromatic solvent in which all of the above are soluble, for example, hexane

2. Will modify both the feeding and sexual behavior of Ecto-parasites from the Order Acarina, notably members of the family Ixodidae (hard ticks), on both livestock and members of the order Artiodactyle 3.

3. May be used to control Ecto-parasites from the Order Acarina, notably members of the family Ixodidae on livestock, notably cattle and sheep, and therefore reduce significantly the level of economic damage to livestock without harming or causing discomfort to the treated animal or adversely impacting the environment or the ecology or creating pesticide residues.

4. May be used to control Ecto-Parasites from the Order Acarina, notably members of the family Ixodidae on the order Artiodactyle (deer), and therefore reduce significantly the level of tick- borne disease in human beings such as Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted Fever.

To achieve control, at least four widely dispersed droplets of approximately 0.05 to 0.10 gram each of the composition should be applied externally to the animal (or attachments to the animal, such as a neck-band) every six weeks from maturity.

6. The presence of an Optical Brightener in the composition will provide additional protection to both the attractant and insecticide against UV radiation by reflecting the same before absorption can occur.

7. The presence of Castor Oil in the mixture will control the release of both the attractant and insecticide over a six-week period.