AU2018204615B2 - A granular composition - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided herein is a granular composition for preventing and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect infestation that includes a molluscicidal agent, an 5 insecticidal agent and a binder. Also provided are methods of using and making such a granular composition. 73

Description

A GRANULAR COMPOSITION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a granular composition. In particular, the

invention relates to a granular composition including an insecticidal agent and

a molluscicidal agent and a method of using and making same.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Terrestrial gastropod molluscs, such as slugs and snails, are capable of

causing extensive damage to agricultural crops and other plants throughout

many parts of the world. To this end, snails and slugs typically thrive in the

same type of moist, temperate conditions in which many agricultural products

are cultivated and their damaging effects on agricultural crops and the like can

be quite significant given their ability to consume their own weight in food in a

matter of days.

Similar to molluscs, insects, such as grasshoppers, locusts, earwigs,

crickets, millipedes, slaters and cockroaches, can also cause significant

damage to, for example, a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops

and plants.

One method known in the art to reduce the mollusc or insect population

in a given area is to distribute pellets composed of a molluscicide or

insecticide respectively together with an inert carrier or other filler material.

Nonetheless, there remains a need for a granular composition that provides

for the control of a broad range of insects and molluscs in the same environmental setting. Additionally, there is a need for such a granular composition to overcome one or more of the inherent limitations of commercially available insecticide or molluscicide formulations, such as their lack of or limited resistance to environmental factors, such as rainfall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a granular composition for

preventing and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect infestation comprising:

(a) a molluscicidal agent;

(b) an insecticidal agent; and

(c) a binder.

In one embodiment, the granular composition further comprises an

attractant.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing

and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect infestation which includes the step of

administering an effective amount of the granular composition of the first

aspect to a target area to thereby prevent and/or control the mollusc and/or

insect infestation.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a

granular composition for the control and/or prevention of a mollusc and/or

insect infestation, said method including the steps of:

(a) mixing a molluscicidal agent, an insecticidal agent, a binder and

optionally an attractant; and

(b) granulating the mixture of step (a); to thereby prepare the granular composition.

In one embodiment, the mixture of step (a) is granulated, at least in

part, by extrusion granulation.

Suitably, with respect to the above aspects, the molluscicidal agent is

selected from the group consisting of a cyclic ketone, a carbamate, a

strobilurin, a metal salt, a metal chelate, a spinosyn mixture, a

chloronitrophenol, an organometal, a morpholine, a nereistoxin analogue, a

pyridine, a plant-based molluscicide and any combination thereof. Preferably,

the molluscicidal agent is selected from the group consisting of a cyclic

ketone, a carbamate, a metal salt, a metal chelate and any combination

thereof. Even more preferably, the molluscicidal agent is selected from the

group consisting of metaldehyde, methiocarb, an iron salt, an iron chelate and

any combination thereof.

Referring to the aforementioned aspects, the insecticidal agent is

suitably selected from the group consisting of a carbamate, a neonicotinoid, a

phenylpyrazole, a pyrethrin, a pyrethroid, a macrocyclic lactone, an

organophosphate, a pyrimidinamine insecticide, a pyrrole insecticide, a

quaternary ammonium insecticide, a sulfoximine insecticide, a tetramic acid

insecticide, a tetronic acid insecticide, an urea insecticide, a zwitterionic

insecticide and any combination thereof. Preferably, the insecticidal agent is

selected from the group consisting of a neonicotinoid, a phenylpyrazole and

any combination thereof. More preferably, the insecticidal agent is selected

from the group consisting of fipronil, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and any

combination thereof.

In one embodiment of the above aspects, the binder is or comprises calcium

stearate and/or polyhydroxymethyl urea.

In regards to the previous aspects, the granular composition is suitably

substantially water resistant.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a granular composition prepared by the

method of third aspect.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a

granular composition for preventing and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect

infestation comprising: (a) metaldehyde; (b) fipronil; and (c) a binder.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term

"comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and

comprised", are not intended to exclude further elements, components, integers or

steps but may include one or more unstated further elements, components, integers or

steps.

It will be appreciated that the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are not to be read as

singular indefinite articles or as otherwise excluding more than one or more than a

single subject to which the indefinite article refers. For example, "a" binder includes one

binder, one or more binders and a plurality of binders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention advantageously provides a granular or pelleted composition or

formulation for the control of both ground dwelling molluscs and insects typically found

together in the same environmental setting. Not only is the application of such a

product beneficial with respect to, for example, crop quality and yield, but also results in

labour cost and/or equipment cost savings for the grower or farmer and lower

environmental emissions. Additionally, there can also be significant cost savings with respect to producing the granular composition of the invention, as there is a potential reduction in: (i) the use of non-active ingredients (e.g., solvents, surfactants, preservatives, anti-oxidants, dyes, consumption deterrents); (ii) product packaging; (iii) handling, storage and/or freight costs; (iv) associated labour costs in, for example, production, packaging, transport and warehousing; (v) regulatory costs; and (vi) disposal costs.

Additionally, the invention preferably provides a granular composition

that demonstrates improved resistance to environmental factors, and in

particular water by way of rainfall, dew, humidity and the like. As such, the

granular composition of the invention advantageously requires less frequent

application. This affords further cost savings in respect of, for example, fuel,

equipment wear and tear and labour costs.

In one aspect, the invention provides a granular composition for

preventing and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect infestation comprising:

(a) a molluscicidal agent;

(b) an insecticidal agent; and

(c) a binder.

Molluscs which may be controlled by the granular composition of the

present invention are preferably molluscs of the gastropod class, more

preferably the subclass pulmonata, and even more preferably snails and

slugs. Insects to be targeted with the present granular composition may

include those taken from the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera,

Lepidoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera, Orthroptera, Thysanoptera,

Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera, such as

earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, millipedes, slaters and cockroaches.

Preferably, the molluscs and insects to be targeted with the granular

composition of the invention can be found or located in the same target area,

locus or habitat, and in particular a ground-dwelling or associated target area,

locus or habitat.

As used herein, the terms "granule" or "granular" refer to solid pellets,

granules, grains and the like. Such granules can include those in which there

is no discreet core or coatings (i.e., a granule having a substantially uniform

composition throughout) or those having a discreet core and a coating

thereover. To this end, the insecticidal agent and/or the molluscicidal agent

may comprise the core, the coating or both.

The term "molluscicide" or "molluscicidal agent" means an active

ingredient or chemical which is intended to prevent, control and/or eradicate a

mollusc infestation, including snails, slugs and related organisms. Similarly,

the term "insecticide" or "insecticidal agent" broadly refers to compounds

which are capable of preventing, controlling and/or eradicating an insect

infestation. These terms not only refer to a toxic effect (e.g., death or

destruction of the pest) of the agent, but also, for example, a repelling effect,

damage to the pest (i.e., the mollusc and/or insect), inhibition or modulation of

pest growth, inhibition of pest reproduction by slowing or arresting its

proliferation and any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that the molluscicidal agent and/or the insecticidal

agent may be in the form of a pure active ingredient, a technical grade of the active ingredient, or an active ingredient formulated with one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers.

By "agriculturally acceptable carrier" is meant any substance which can

be used to aid the dispersion of the active ingredient (i.e., the molluscicidal

agent and/or the insecticidal agent) without impairing the active ingredient's

effectiveness and which by itself has no significant detrimental effect on, for

example, the soil, equipment, desirable plants, or the agronomic or agricultural

environment. Suitable carriers are preferably solid carriers such as those

described in more detail hereinbelow.

In other embodiments, the molluscicidal agent and/or the insecticidal

agent is in the form of a prodrug which, when administered to a locus or target

area of a mollusc and/or insect infestation or consumed by a target mollusc

and/or insect, is converted to a compound capable of exerting a molluscicidal

and/or insecticidal effect.

Suitably, the molluscicidal agent for inclusion in the granular

composition of the invention may be one or more molluscicidal agents as are

known in the art, including derivatives or isomers (e.g., enantiomers,

tautomers) thereof.

A "derivative" as used herein, refers to a chemically related compound

obtained by the chemical modification of an agent (i.e., an insecticidal agent or

a molluscicidal agent) by such chemical reactions as substitution, addition,

and elimination reactions. With respect to these terms, the insecticidal agent is

or comprises an agent or compound that is different or separate from that of

the molluscicidal agent and vice versa.

In particular embodiments, the molluscicidal agent is selected from the

group consisting of a cyclic ketone, such as a cyclo-octane or a. substituted

cyclo-octane (e.g., metaldehyde), a carbamate (e.g., methiocarb, thiodicarb,

tazimcarb, trimethacarb), a strobilurin (e.g., azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin,

trifloxystrobin, kresoxim methyl, enestrobin, orysastrobin, dimoxystrobin,

metominostrobin, pyraclostrobin, fluoxastrobin, famoxadone, fenamidone), a

metal salt, such as an iron salt (e.g., iron phosphate), a copper salt (e.g.,

copper sulphate) or an aluminium salt (e.g., aluminium sulphate), a metal

chelate, such as an iron chelate (e.g., iron EDTA) a spinosyn mixture (e.g.,

spinosad, spinetoram), a chloronitrophenol (e.g., niclosamide), an

organometal (e.g., fentin hydroxide, fentin acetate) a morpholine (e.g.,

trifenmorph), a nereistoxin analogue (e.g., bensultap), a pyridine (e.g.,

pymetrozin), a plant-based molluscicide (e.g., a saponin, a tannin, an alkaloid,

an alkyl phenol, a glycoalkaloid, a flavanoid, a sesquiterpene lacton and a

terpenoid) and any combination thereof. More preferably, the molluscicidal

agent is selected from the group consisting of a cyclic ketone, a carbamate, a

metal salt, a metal chelate and any combination thereof. Even more

preferably, the molluscicidal agent is selected from the group consisting of

metaldehyde, methiocarb, an iron salt, an iron chelate and any combination

thereof.

For the present invention, the molluscicidal agent is suitably present in

a high enough concentration that provides a granular composition suitable for

use in the effective control, prevention and/or eradication of a mollusc

infestation. To this end, the molluscicidal agent, may be present in an amount from about 0.5 g/kg to about 500 g/kg or any range therein such as, but not limited to, about 1 g/kg to about 200 g/kg, or about 5 g/kg to about 100 g/kg by weight of the granular composition. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the molluscicidal agent is present in an amount of about 0.5, 1.0,

1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50,

55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170,

180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320,

330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470,

480, 490, 500 g/kg, or any range therein, by weight of the granular

composition. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the

molluscicidal agent is present in an amount of about 5 g/kg to about 50 g/kg

by weight of the granular composition.

A suitable insecticidal agent for inclusion in the granular composition of

the invention may be one or more insecticidal agents as are known in the art.

By way of example, the insecticidal agent is or comprises an agent from the

class of a botanical (e.g., allicin, anabasine, azadirachtin, carvacrol, d

limonene, matrine, nicotine, nornicotine, oxymatrine, pyrethrins, cinerins,

cinerin I, cinerin II, jasmolin I, jasmolin II, pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, quassia,

rhodojaponin-Ill, rotenone, ryania, sabadilla, sanguinarine, triptolide), a

carbamate, a diamide (e.g., broflanilide, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole,

cyclaniliprole, cyhalodiamide, flubendiamide, tetraniliprole), a dinitrophenol

(e.g., dinex, dinoprop, dinosam, DNOC), a fluorine insecticide (e.g., barium,

hexafluorosilicate, cryolite, flursulamid, sodium fluoride, sodium silicofluoride,

sulfluramid), a formamidine (e.g., amitraz, chlordimeform, formetanate, formparanate, medimeform, semiamitraz), a fumigant (e.g., acrylonitrile, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, carbonyl sulfide, chloroform, chloropicrin, cyanogen, p-dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloropropane, dimethyl disulfide, ethyl formate, ethylene dibromide, ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, methyl bromide, methyl iodide, methylchloroform, methylene chloride, naphthalene, phosphine, sodium tetrathiocarbonate, sulfuryl fluoride, tetrachloroethane), an inorganic insecticide (e.g., borax, boric acid, calcium polysulfide, copper oleate, diatomaceous earth, mercurous chloride, potassium thiocyanate, silica gel, sodium thiocyanate), an insect growth regulator (e.g., chitin synthesis inhibitors, juvenile hormone mimics, juvenile hormones, moulting hormone agonists, moulting hormones, moulting inhibitors, precocenes), an isoxazoline ( e.g., afoxolaner, fluralaner, fluxametamide, sarolaner) a macrocyclic lactone (e.g., avermectin insecticides, milbemycin insecticides, spinosyn insecticides) a neonicotinoid, a nereistoxin analogue (e.g., bensultap, cartap, polythialan, thiocyclam, thiosultap), an organophosphorus insecticide (e.g., organophosphate insecticides, organothiophosphate insecticides, phosphonate insecticides, phosphonothioate insecticides, phosphoramidate insecticides, phosphoramidothioate insecticides, phosphorodiamide insecticides), an oxadiazine (e.g., indoxacarb), an oxadiazolone (e.g., metoxadiazone), a phthalimide (e.g., dialifos, phosmet, tetramethrin) a physical insecticide (e.g., desiccant insecticides), a pyrazole (e.g., phenylpyrazole insecticides, pyrazolecarboxamide insecticides, pyridylpyrazole insecticides), a pyrethroid, a pyrimidinamine (e.g., flufenerim, pyrimidifen), a pyrrole (e.g., chlorfenapyr), a quaternary ammonium insecticide (e.g., sanguinarine), a sulfoximine (e.g., sulfoxaflor), a tetramic acid (e.g., spiropidion, spirotetramat), a tetronic acid

(e.g., spiromesifen), a thiazole (e.g., clothianidin, imidaclothiz, thiamethoxam,

thiapronil), a thiazolidine (e.g., tazimcarb, thiacloprid), a thiourea (e.g.,

diafenthiuron), an urea insecticide (e.g., flucofuron, sulcofuron), a zwitterionic

insecticide (e.g., dicloromezotiaz, triflumezopyrim) and/or an unclassified

insecticide (e.g., afidopyropen, allosamidin, benzpyrimoxan, closantel, copper,

aphthenate, crotamiton, EXD, fenazaflor, fenoxacrim, flometoquin, flonicamid,

fluhexafon, flupyradifurone, flupyrimin, hydramethylnon, isoprothiolane,

jiahuangchongzong, malonoben, metaflumizone, nifluridide, plifenate,

pyridaben, pyridalyl, pyrifluquinazon, rafoxanide, thuringiensin, triarathene,

triazamate), including derivatives and isomers (e.g., enantiomers, tautomers)

thereof..

A useful resource with respect to the various classications of

insecticidal agents and examples thereof is available at

<http://www.alanwood.net/pesticides/classinsecticides.html>, which is

included by reference herein.

In particular embodiments, the insecticidal agent is selected from the

group consisting of a carbamate, a neonicotinoid, a phenylpyrazole (e.g.,

fipronil), a pyrethrin, a pyrethroid, a macrocyclic lactone, an organophosphate,

a pyrimidinamine insecticide (e.g., flufenerim, pyrimidifen), a pyrrole

insecticide (e.g., chlorfenapyr), a quaternary ammonium insecticide (e.g.,

sanguinarine), a sulfoximine insecticide (e.g., sulfoxaflor), a tetramic acid

insecticide (e.g., spirotetramat), a tetronic acid insecticide (e.g., spiromesifen), an urea insecticide (e.g., flucfuron, sulcofuron, diafenthiuron) a zwitterionic insecticide (e.g., dicloromezotiaz, triflumezopyrim) and any combination thereof. Preferably, the insecticidal agent is selected from the group consisting of a neonicotinoid, a phenylpyrazole and any combination thereof. More preferably, the insecticidal agent is selected from the group consisting of fipronil, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and any combination thereof.

The carbamate may be that as hereinbefore described for the

molluscicidal agent. In particular embodiments, the granular composition

includes two or more carbamates. To this end, a first carbamate may be

included for preventing and/or controlling a mollusc infestation (i.e., included

as a molluscicidal agent) and a second carbamate may be included for

preventing and/or controlling an insect infestation (i.e., included as an

insecticidal agent). In this regard, it will be understood that particular

carbamates may more specifically target or be toxic to molluscs, whilst other

carbamates may more specifically target or be toxic to insects.

Neonicotinoids are insecticidal agents that typically act by

antagonistically binding to postsynaptic nictotinic receptors in the central

nervous system of insects. Exemplary neonicotinoids include, but are not

limited to, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram,

thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam.

Phenylpyrazole insecticides are broad-spectrum insecticides that

generally target the central nervous system of insects so as to block GABA

gated and glutamate-gated chloride channels. This mechanism of action

results in central nervous system toxicity of the target insect. By way of example, phenylpyrazole insecticides include, but are not limited to, acetoprole, ethiprole, fipronil, flufiprole, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, pyrolan, vaniliprole, and any combination thereof.

The term "pyrethrin" refers to naturally occurring compounds generally

derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Such compounds normally exert their

insecticidal action by altering nerve function, which causes paralysis in target

insect pests, eventually resulting in death. Exemplary pyrethrins include, but

are not limited to, pyrethrins I, jasmolin I, cinerin I, pyrethrin I, pyrethrins 1l,

jasmolin II, cinerin II, and pyrethrin II.

The term "pyrethroid" is understood in the art to mean a synthetic

compound that acts as an insecticide and whose chemical structures are

adapted from those of a pyrethrin. As such, pyrethroids act in a similar manner

to pyrethrins. Pyrethroids are typically modified to increase their stability in

sunlight. Non-limiting examples of pyrethroids include acrinathrin, allethrin,

benfluthrin, benzylnorthrin, bioallethrin, bioethanomethrin, bioresmethrin,

bifenthrin, cyclethin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, gamma

cyhalothrin, lamdba-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta

cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, deltamethrin, empenthrin,

esbiothrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenfluthrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate,

flucythrinate, flumethrin, imiprothin, isopyrethrin I, kadethrin, metofluthrin,

permethrin, 1RS cis-permethrin, phenothrin, prallethrin, resmethrin, silafluofen,

sumithrin (d-phenothrin), tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin

and transfluthrin.

It will be understood that the term "organophosphate" broadly refers to esters of phosphoric acid which act on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

Exemplary organophosphates include, but are not limited to, acephate,

azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, chlorethoxyfos,

chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, methyl chlorpyrifos, coumaphos,

cyanophos, demeton-S-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos,

dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, famphur,

fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, flupyrazophos, fosthiazate, heptenophos,

isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos,

monocrotophos, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion, methyl parathion,

phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phoxim,

pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, propetamphos, prothiofos, pyraclofos,

pyridaphenthion, quinalphos, sulfotep, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos,

tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, trichlorfon and vamidothion.

Similar to that for the molluscicidal agent, the insecticidal agent is

suitably present in a high enough concentration that provides a granular

composition suitable for use in the effective control, prevention and/or

eradication of an insect infestation. To this end, the insecticidal agent, may be

present in an amount from about 0.5 g/kg to about 500 g/kg or any range

therein such as, but not limited to, about 1 g/kg to about 200 g/kg, or about 5

g/kg to about 100 g/kg by weight of the granular composition. In particular

embodiments of the present invention, the insecticidal agent is present in an

amount of about 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10, 15,

20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120,

130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270,

280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420,

430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500 g/kg, or any range therein, by weight

of the granular composition. In certain embodiments of the present invention,

the insecticidal agent is present in an amount of about 5 g/kg to about 50 g/kg

by weight of the granular composition.

As noted above, the granular composition of the invention includes a

binder. It will be understood that the binder functions to bind the ingredients or

components of the granular composition into a granular or pelleted structure or

substrate strate, which preferably resists attrition and will not rapidly degrade,

and therefore substantially maintains particle size during handling. To this end,

the binder facilitates the formulation of a granular or pelleted composition that

typically requires no further preparation, processing, dilution, combination etc

before application thereof to an appropriate locus or target area.

Non-limiting examples of binders include calcium stearate,

polyhydroxymethyl urea, methyl cellosolve (2-methoxyethanol),

polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates,

natural waxes, chemically modified waxes and synthetic waxes, sugars,

starch, alginates, agar, lignosulphonates and gum arabic.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the binder is or comprises

calcium stearate and/or polyhydroxymethyl urea.

In particular embodiments, one or a plurality of binders are present in

the granular composition at a concentration of between about 1 g/kg and

about 100 g/kg (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5,

25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45, 47.5, 50, 52.5, 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5,

65, 67.5, 70, 72.5, 75, 77.5, 80, 82.5, 85, 87.5, 90, 92.5, 95, 97.5, 100 g/kg

and any range therein) by weight of the granular composition. The skilled

person will appreciate that suitable amounts of the binder can be chosen to

suit the particular application in which the granular composition of the

invention is to be used.

With respect to the above, the binder is preferably included in an

amount so as to confer a suitable level of water resistance to the granular

composition of the invention. As used herein, the term "water-resistant" or

"water-resistance" means that the granular composition substantially

maintains its integrity after contact with liquid water, such as from rainfall, dew

and atmospheric humidity, for an extended period of time (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 weeks and any range therein), such that after drying the

granular composition demonstrates a significantly reduced propensity for

collapse and/or degradation so as to maintain its granular or pelleted

structure.

In particular embodiments, the granular composition further includes an

attractant. The attractant may be any as are commonly known in the art of

pelleted or granular compositions for the control of various pests, including

molluscs and insects. Furthermore, the attractant may be a phagostimulant.

Phagostimulants are conventionally used in slug and snail bait formulations to

attract gastropods to ingest the molluscicide, and are typically attractants

and/or food. Mixtures of phagostimulants with other suitable organic and/or

inorganic materials may also be used. Additionally, the attractant may function

as a carrier and an attractant in the granular composition.

The attractant preferably includes one or more of vegetable matter, and

in particular ground cereals (e.g., wheat flour, wheat bran, barley flour, rye

flour, rice starch), seeds (e.g., crushed rapeseed) and legumes (e.g., crushed

soya beans), animal matter (e.g., fish meal, extract of dead slugs), yeast, an

oil (e.g., canola oil) and a sugar (e.g., molasses).

The attractant may be present in an amount from about 0.5 g/kg to

about 900 g/kg or any range therein such as, but not limited to, about 1 g/kg to

about 850 g/kg, or about 10 g/kg to about 800 g/kg by weight of the granular

composition. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the attractant

is present in an amount of about 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0,

8.0, 9.0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95,

100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240,

250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390,

400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540,

550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690,

700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840,

850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900 g/kg, or any range therein, by weight of the

granular composition. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the

attractant is present in an amount of about 700 g/kg to about 850 g/kg by

weight of the granular composition.

In particular embodiments, the granular composition of the present

aspect further includes a carrier, and preferably a solid carrier. Non-limiting

examples of carriers include: (i) pulverized natural minerals, such as kaolin

clay, talc, chalk, quartz, and diatom earth; (ii) pulverized synthetic minerals, such as dispersed silica, aluminium oxide, and silicate; (iii) size reduced and fractionated natural stone materials such as calcite, marble, sepiolith and dolomite; (iv) synthetic granulates from inorganic and organic powders such as from polymers; and (v) granulates from organic materials, such as coconut shells, corn cobs and tobacco stems. In particular embodiments, one or a plurality of carriers are present in the granular composition at a concentration of between about 10 g/kg and about 990 g/kg (e.g., about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,

35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140,

150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290,

300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440,

450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590,

600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740,

750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890,

900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 990 g/kg, and any range therein)

by weight of the granular composition. The skilled person will appreciate that

suitable amounts of the carrier can be chosen to suit the particular application

in which the granular composition of the invention is to be used.

One or more additional auxiliary agents, such as surfactants, adjuvants,

dispersants, disintegrating agents, lubricants, wetting agents, preservatives,

parting agents, colouring agents (e.g., dyes) and the like, can also be added

where desired to modify the properties of the granular composition as

required. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the granular composition may

further include suitable concentrations of a repellent agent for non-target

organisms (i.e. organisms other than insects and molluscs), including, for example, an emetic agent and/or an embittering agent, such as Bitrex, to thereby prevent or inhibit other animals, such as humans, domestics pets, birds and the like from ingesting the granular composition of the invention.

In particular embodiments, the granular composition of the present

invention further includes a bird repellent agent. The bird repellent agent can

be any known in the art, including, for example, aluminium ammonium

sulphate, an anthranilate (and related compounds e.g., methyl anthranilate,

isobutyl anthranilate, ethyl anthranilate, isobutyl N-methyl anthranilate and

methyl N-methyl anthranilate) and a fatty acid (and related compounds).

Suitable preservatives may include, for example, 1,2- benzisothiazolin

3-one and/or 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one or sodium benzoate or benzoic

acid, epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil, ethylene glycol and any

combination thereof.

Suitable lubricants may include, for example, artificial and natural fats

and oils, such as calcium stearate, liquid paraffin, polyethylene glycol as well

as inorganic lubricants such as talc.

Notwithstanding the above, it will be appreciated that an amount of the

aforementioned components of the granular composition can vary depending

on the intended use thereof, the particular molluscicidal agent and the

particular insecticidal agent to be included in the granular composition and the

particular pests (i.e., molluscs and/or insects) to be targeted thereby.

Additionally, it will be apparent that the aforementioned components, and in

particular the insecticidal agent and/or the molluscicidal agent, are preferably included in concentrations that do not adversely affect, for example, the palatability, stability and/or water resistance of the granular composition.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing

and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect infestation which includes the step of

administering an effective amount, such as a molluscicidal- and/or insecticidal

effective amount, of the granular composition of the above aspect to a target

area to thereby prevent and/or control the mollusc and/or insect infestation.

As used herein, "preventing" (or "prevent" or "prevention") refers to a

course of action (such as administering an effective amount of the granular

composition described herein) initiated prior to the onset of a symptom,

aspect, or characteristic of the mollusc and/or insect infestation (e.g., plant or

crop damage) so as to prevent, reduce or delay the symptom, aspect, or

characteristic thereof. It is to be understood that such preventing need not be

absolute to be beneficial to a plant, crop or the like.

As generally used herein, "control" (or "controlled" or "controlling")

refers to an intervention with the granular composition that reduces or

ameliorates a symptom, aspect, or characteristic of the mollusc and/or insect

infestation after it has begun to develop. The term "ameliorating", with

reference to a mollusc and/or insect infestation, refers to any observable

beneficial effect thereto as a result of the administration of the granular

composition. The beneficial effect can be determined using any methods or

standards known to the ordinarily skilled artisan. Accordingly, these terms are

meant to include any lethal (i.e., killing) or inhibitory (i.e., molluscistatic and

insectistatic) activities of the granular composition against a given pest, including those hereinafter described.

Herein, the terms "target area", "locus" or "space" refer to any area,

location or habitat where the prevention, control and/or eradication of a

mollusc and/or insect infestation is needed or expected to be needed.

As used herein, the terms "effective amount", "molluscicidal-effective

amount" and "insecticidal-effective amount" refer to an amount of the granular

composition that is effective to cause such prevention, control, and/or

eradication of the mollusc and/or insect infestation. By way of example, an

effective amount means an amount necessary to produce an observable

insecticidal and/or molluscicidal effect on unwanted pests (i.e., insects and

molluscs), including the effects of death, growth inhibition, reproduction

inhibition, inhibition of proliferation, and removal, destruction, or otherwise

diminishing the occurrence and activity of these unwanted pests. An effective

amount of the granular composition of the invention may vary according to the

prevailing conditions, such as desired molluscicidal and/or insecticidal effect

and duration, weather, target species, habitat, mode of application, and the

like.

In particular embodiments, an effective amount is the amount of the

granular composition of the invention that has an adverse effect (e.g.,

reproduction inhibition, knockdown and/or death) on at least 25% (e.g., 25%,

30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,

95%, 100% or any range therein) of the pests treated or contacted therewith,

more preferably at least 50% of the pests treated or contacted therewith, and even more preferably at least 70% or greater of the pests treated or contacted therewith.

The efficacy of the granular compositions of the present invention may

be monitored by determining the mortality of or adverse effect upon treated

pests (i.e., molluscs and/or insects). This includes inhibition or modulation of

pest growth, inhibition of pest reproduction by slowing or arresting its

proliferation, or complete destruction/death of the pest. The actual value of an

effective amount for the granular composition is preferably determined by

routine screening procedures employed to evaluate insecticidal and/or

molluscicidal activity and efficacy, such as those methods well known in the

art, including those provided in the Examples.

With respect to the above, an effective amount of the granular

composition described herein is preferably administered to the target area or

locus of the mollusc and/or insect infestation. By way of example, to prevent or

control mollusc- and/or insect-related damage to a plant or crop, an effective

amount of a granular composition comprising the molluscicidal agent and the

insecticidal agent is administered to an area adjacent and/or including the

plant or crop. As such, a mollusc and/or an insect can be readily contacted

with an effective amount of the granular composition of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the granular composition is applied at a rate

of about 0.25 kg to about 10 kg per hectare (e.g., about 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0,

1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5,

10.0 kg per hectare) and more preferably at a rate of about 2 kg to about 4 kg

per hectare. Obviously, the amount of the granular composition to be applied per hectare will depend, at least in part, upon the concentration of the molluscicidal agent and the insecticidal agent in the granular composition.

Because the granular composition of the present invention is suitably

water resistant, without significant degradation in the performance thereof over

time, the granular composition remains pesticidally effective for a

commercially reasonable period of time. Accordingly, the formulation can be

administered, for example, about every 4 to 12 weeks (e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,

11, 12 weeks and any range therein) to the target area or locus of the mollusc

and/or insect infestation.

In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a

granular composition for the control and/or prevention of a mollusc and/or

insect infestation, said method including the steps of:

(a) mixing a molluscicidal agent, an insecticidal agent and a binder; and

(b) granulating the mixture of step (a);

to thereby prepare the granular composition.

Suitably, the molluscicidal agent, the insecticidal agent and/or the

binder are that as hereinbefore described.

In one preferred embodiment, the molluscicidal agent is selected from

the group consisting of metaldehyde, methiocarb, an iron salt, an iron chelate

and any combination thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the insecticidal agent is selected

from the group consisting of fipronil, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and any

combination thereof.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the binder is or comprises calcium stearate and/or polyhydroxymethyl urea.

Preferably, the granular composition is substantially water resistant, as

hereinbefore described.

It will be appreciated that step (b) may be performed by any method

known in the art. By way of example, the granulation step (b) may be carried

out by conventional processes, such as expanding, extruding, flocculation with

or without final structuralization (e.g., granulation or extrusion), which can be

performed in any suitable apparatus known to the person skilled in the art.

Typically, the required components of the granules are initially mixed together

and subsequently subjected to one or more of the above granulation

processes. Methods of granulation that may be used for preparation of the

granular composition provided herein include, but are not limited to, wet

granulation, dry granulation, pan granulation, compaction granulation,

centrifugal granulation, fluidized bed granulation, extrusion granulation and

any combination thereof.

In one preferred embodiment, the mixture of step (a) is granulated, at

least in part, by extrusion granulation.

In another aspect, the invention provides a granular composition

prepared by the method of the aforementioned aspect.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred

embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one

embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated

by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

All computer programs, algorithms, patent and scientific literature

referred to herein is incorporated herein by reference.

Any reference to publications cited in this specification is not an

admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge in

Australia.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into

practice, one or more preferred embodiments thereof will now be described,

by way of example only.

Example 1: An Embodiment of a Granular Composition

The present example provides an embodiment of a granular

composition of the invention including the molluscicide metaldehyde and the

insecticide fipronil. The embodiment may be referred to herein by its

commercial name of "IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY".

In the embodiments provided, care has been taken in the selection of

active ingredients so as to not only produce a product consistently toxic to

both insects and molluscs, but also minimise potential environmental side

effects, such as minimal or no toxicity to beneficial insects (e.g., bees) and

mammals as well as limiting soil and water contamination thereby.

Table 1 - Metaldehyde 50 + Fipronil 1.5 GB Molluscicide/Insecticide Raw

Material Identities

Component Purchased from (incl. trade name) - Function Parts by weight (g/kg) Metaldehyde 98% Metaldehyde (CAS# 108-62-3) - active ingredient 51.0 technical (molluscicide) Manufactured by Xu Zhou Nuo Te Chemical Co Ltd, Baiji Qingshangquan Town, Jiawant District, Jiang Su 22100, China Purchased from Xu Zhou Nuo Te Chemical Co Ltd, Baiji Qingshangquan Town, Jiawant District, Jiang Su 22100, China Fipronil 98% Fipronil (CAS# 120068-37-3) - active ingredient 1.53 technical (insecticide) Manufactured by Zhejiang Hisun Chemical Co Ltd, 97 Washa Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou Zhejiang 318000, China Purchased from Xu Zhou Nuo Te Chemical Co Ltd, Baiji Qingshangquan Town, Jiawant District, Jiang Su 22100, China Yeast Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7) - mollusc/insect attractant 10.0 Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Canola oil Wheat flour (CAS# 120962-03-0) - mollusc/insect 10.0 attractant Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Wheat Flour Wheat flour (CAS# 130498-22-5) - mollusc/insect 708.8 food source Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Wheat Bran Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) - mollusc/insect food source 100.0 Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Talc Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6) - product filler 53.7 Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Polyhydroxymethyl Polyhydroxymethyl urea (CAS# 1000-82-4) - product 57.0 urea binder Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Calcium stearate Calcium stearate (CAS# 1592-23-0) - product binder 3.0 Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown Brilliant Green Dye Brilliant Green Dye (CAS# 633-03-4) - product 5.0 pigment Manufactured by Unknown Purchased from Unknown

Table 2 - Product testing results

Test Parameter Test Method Required Observed (Advised preferred formulation) Appearance Visual Green granule Green granule Assay Validated chromatographic 45.0 to 55.0g/kg 51.9g/kg method metaldehyde (Accuracy: 98-102%) 1.59g/kg (Linearity: R > 0.99) 1.125 to 1.875g/kg (Precision: s/average < 2%) fipronil Water resistance Visual Green granule, free Complies from degradation or phase separation in any format when immersed in water for 24 hours

Cold temperature Visual Green granule, free Complies stability from degradation or phase separation in any format

Long Term Various as per above Test parameter Complies Performance maintained within required range after accelerated aging to approximate 2 years.

Results

Appearance - The colour of the product is imparted by the use of dyestuffs

Assay - Observed value is not precisely 50g/kg and 1.5g/kg respectively of

metaldehyde and fipronil. Variation may be explained as a combination of tech

purity exceeding minimum standards of 98% upon which recipe is based, and

errors of analysis (chromatography) that may be as large as 1%, but typically

less than 0.5%

Water Resistance - Assessment of water resistance of granules acts as a

measure of resilience after application; This indicates the granule's resistance

to weathering, particularly following exposure to rainfall, and thereby gauges

durability of the formulation and length of availability to target organisms

Cold Temperature Stability - soluble granule does not change in integrity with cold temperature exposure

Long Term Performance - Performance and hence test parameters should

be preserved over a time period of two years as a minimum to display

adequate resilience of the formulation to aging. This is an APVMA requirement

which if not met necessitates the inclusion of a use-by date on the product

packaging). Two years of aging is approximated by the storage of product in

its usual packaging at 540 C for 2 weeks to approximate with the applicable

method being CIPAC MT 46.1

Example 2 - Method of Manufacturing a Granular Composition

A method for preparing a nominally 1000kg batch of the embodiment of the

granular composition from Example 1, inclusive of quality control measures, is

as follows:

1.1. Ensure the process blender is empty and clean

1.2. Charge the inputs as follows to the process blender via the hopper:

1. Metaldehyde 98% 51kg

2. Fipronil 98% 1.5kg

3. Yeast 10kg

4. Canola oil 10kg

5. Wheat flour 708.8kg

6. Wheat bran 100kg

7. Talc 53.7kg

8. Polyhydroxymethyl urea 57kg

9. Calcium stearate 3kg

10. Brilliant green dye 5kg

1.3. Seal blender and switch on.

1.4. Blend for a period sufficient to obtain a homogeneous mixture of the

dry ingredients (typically 10 minutes).

1.5.Switch off the blender and allow adequate time for any airborne

particles within the blending vessel to settle.

1.6. Transfer all material to the secondary vessel to generate an extrudable

paste

1.7. Concurrently heat and moisten the dry material blend with the metred

addition of steam to the agitating blend to achieve a temperature of the

mixture of 70-80 0C and a moisture content of approximately 16% by

weight.

1.8. Transfer the mix to the extruder and switch the drying receiver on.

Extrude the mixture into the receiver and air dry at no greater than

80 0C (N.B. metaldehyde de-polymerizes and sublimes at 112 0C) to a

moisture content of approximately 1% weight to weight of the

formulation. Where the moisture content significantly exceeds 1%

weight to weight of the formulation, recycle granules through the dryer

(at the end of the run) until the moisture content target is achieved.

1.9. Sample approximately 1kg of product, ensuring it is representative.

1.10. Sub-sample approximately 200g and subject it to the following

testing regime.

1.10.1. Active constituent (metaldehyde) content (validated

method)

1.10.2. Active constituent (fipronil) content (validated method)

1.10.3. pH of a 1% aqueous solution (CIPAC MT 75.3)

1.10.4. Dust content (CIPAC MT 171)

1.10.5. Bulk density (CIPAC MT 186)

1.11. If active constituent level is satisfactory, record results and

proceed to step 1.15.

1.12. If active constituent level is outside the bounds of the acceptable

range listed in the specification, adjust the level accordingly by

recycling granules through the blending process (Returning to step

1.4) along with additional filler, being talc (for a high active content) or

along with additional metaldehyde 98% tech (for a low active content)

and/or with additional fipronil 98% tech (for a low active content)..

1.13. If pH of a 1% aqueous solution is satisfactory, record results and

proceed to step 1.16. If pH of a 1% aqueous solution is outside the

bounds of the acceptable range listed in the specification, quarantine

the batch for further investigation and possible rework..

1.14. If dust content is satisfactory, record results and proceed to step

1.17. If dust content is outside the bounds of the acceptable range

listed in the specification, return the batch in its entirety to the primary

blender, seal, switch on and reprocess from step 1.9 onwards

1.15. If bulk density is satisfactory, record results and proceed to step

1.18.If the bulk density specification is not met, quarantine the batch

for further investigation and possible rework.

1.16. Catalogue and store a retention sample of approximately 200g

1.17. Generate a certificate of analysis noting results of testing

1.18. Issue quality clearance giving authority to package goods

1.19. Package the finished goods ensuring both the batch number and

manufacturing date is noted on the label.

Example 3 - Efficacy Trials of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY was tested in the laboratory and in the field

in 3 locations across Australia from May to August, 2016 against two

benchmarks of commercial molluscicide bait products utilising 20 g/kg

methiocarb marketed as BAYER MESUROL@ SNAIL AND SLUG BAIT

(APVMA No. 33274/1209) and 50 g/kg metaldehyde marketed as IMTRADE

METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT (APVMA No. 64990/58229).

Table 3 - Summary of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY trials

Trial No. Location Hypothesis Results Tested 161M83a Mount Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL Barker, WA the efficacy of SYNERGY demonstrated IMTRADE statistically significant control METAKILL of Portuguese Millipedes SYNERGY on compared to the untreated Portuguese control and IMTRADE millipedes in a METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG commercials BAIT with a rate response canola crop. evident in some analysis. 161M83b Mount Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL Barker, WA the efficacy of SYNERGY demonstrated IMTRADE equivalent control at 2 kg/ha METAKILL and statistically significant SYNERGY on control at 4 and 8 kg/ha of European European Earwigs compared Earwigs in a to IMTRADE METAKILL commercial SNAIL & SLUG BAIT. When canola crop. assessed via corrected mortality, control was statistically significant at all rates.

16IM95a Minlaton, SA Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL the efficacy of SYNERGY demonstrated IMTRADE statistically significant control METAKILL of Slaters compared to the SYNERGY on untreated control and Slaters in a IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL

& commercial lentil SLUG BAIT with a rate crop. response evident in some analysis. IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically equivalent to statistically significant control to industry standard MESUROL. 16IM95b South Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL Australian the bio- SYNERGY demonstrated Research and equivalency of statistically equivalent to Development INTRADE statistically significant control facilities METAKILL of Common White Snails (Waite SYNERGY to compared to IMTRADE campus), that of IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG Urrbrae, SA METAKILL BAIT. IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG SYNERGY and IMTRADE BAIT on METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG Common White BAIT were consumed in Snails. statistically equivalent amounts. 161M95c South Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL Australian the efficacy of SYNERGY demonstrated Research and IMTRADE statistically significant control Development METAKILL of Slaters at all rates facilities SYNERGY on compared to IMTRADE (Waite Slaters in a METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG campus), laboratory assay. BAIT and the PLACEBO. Urrbrae,SA IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically equivalent control compared to MESUROL, and lower rates were needed to control Slaters compared to MESUROL.

161M95d South Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL Australian the efficacy of SYNERGY provided complete Research and IMTRADE control of European Earwigs. Development METAKILL IMTRADE METAKILL facilities SYNERGY on SYNERGY demonstrated (Waite European statistically significant control campus), Earwigs in a compared to IMTRADE Urrbrae, SA laboratory assay. METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT and statistically equivalent to statistically significant control compared to MESUROL. Lower rates of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY were needed compared to MESUROL. 161M95e South Investigation into IMTRADE METAKILL Australian the efficacy of SYNERGY provided complete Research and IMTRADE control of Portuguese Development METAKILL Millipedes. IMTRADE facilities SYNERGY on METAKILL SYNERGY (Waite Portuguese demonstrated statistically campus), Millipedes in a significant control compared to Urrbrae, SA laboratory assay. MESUROL and IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT. Lower rates of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY were needed compared to MESUROL.

Conclusions:

Overall, IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY was shown to:

1. Control a number of insect pests from various taxonomic phylum

including Common White Snails, Portuguese Millipedes, European

Earwigs and Slaters in both laboratory and field scenarios.

2. Consistently provide statistically significant control of all pests

compared to IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT, PLACEBO

and control treatments at all rates.

3. Provide either statistically equivalent or statistically significant control of

all pests compared to BAYER MESUROL@ SNAIL AND SLUG BAIT at

all rates.

4. Provide statistically equivalent control of Slaters, European Earwigs

and Portuguese Millipedes at lower rates compared to BAYER

MESUROL@ SNAIL AND SLUG BAIT.

Trial 161M83a- Investigation into the efficacy of IMTRADEMETAKILL

SYNERGY on Portuguese millipedes in a commercials canola crop.

One small plot replicated field trial was conducted between May and

June 2016 in Mount Barker WA to investigate the efficacy on IMTRADE

METAKILL SYNGERY on Portuguese millipedes when applied as a broadcast

bait treatment in a commercial canola crop.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant

control over Portuguese millipedes compared to the untreated control and

IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT when assessed by dead

individuals recovered, live individuals recovered and corrected mortality. A

rate response of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY was demonstrated in the

live millipede and corrected mortality assessments. IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY did not influence the amount of invertebrate damage to germinated

canola seedlings.

Table 1:Comparison oftreatment means. Mean damage to canolaseedlings(0-10scae) Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 3 DAT 7 DAT 14 DAT (kg/ha) 17/05/2016 20/05/2016 24/05/2016 31/05/2016 1 Untreated 0 0.5 12 10 10 2 Tmtrde Metakill Synergy 2 0.0 0.6 0.9 06 3 Trade Metakill Synergy 4 0.1 03 07 02 4 Trade Metakill Synergy 8 02 0.6 0.9 05 5 Imfrade Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 0.0 0.8 0.8 02 P value 0.223 0.142 0.613 0122 LSD ns ns ns ns ns -no statisca si ca at p <0.05

Table 2:Comparison offreatment means. Mean number ofcanolaseedlings Application No. Treatinent rate 0 DAT 3 DAT 7 DAT 14 DAT (kg/ha) 17/0512016 20/05/2016 24/05/2016 31/05/2016 1 Untreated 0 70 72 74 66 2 ITrade Metakill Synergy 2 66 64 62 56 3 ITrade Metakill Synergy 4 68 64 68 62 4 Tntrade Metakill Synergy 8 70 80 76 72 5 Tnfrade Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 64 62 60 60 P value 0.991 0673 0.692 0702 LSD ns ns as ns ns-nostatisticalsigi5canceatp<0.05

Table 3: Comparison o rentmeans. Mean number ofdea Portuuese milipedes observed No. Treatment Application rate 3 DAT 7 DAT 14 DAT 15DAT Cumulative Total Recovered (kg/a) 20/05/2016 24105/2016 31/05/2016 L/06/2016 Total (Dead + Alive) 1 Untreated 0 0_4 0_0 0_4 b 0_0 0.8 b 180 2 ItradeMetakillSynergy 2 0.2 0.0 L2.2a 0.0 12.4a 18.8 3 IntradeMetakillSynergy 4 0.0 0.0 L4.6a 0.0 14.6a 18.8 4 ImtradeMetalkllSynergy 8 0_0 ff0 L4.8a 0_0 14.ta 17.2 5 Imtrade Metakill Snail & Slu Bait 4 0.0 0.0 34 b 0.0 3.4 b 18.4 P value 0_565 1 <0_001 1 <0.001 0_58 LSD ns as 3.97 as 3.89 ns s - noatit ig i nceat p <005 MemNo wt n he ameceith a katern common are neotg onifly dimnt (P>0.05)

Table 4: Comparison oftreatment means. Mean number oflive Portuguese illipedes observed at trial completion No. Treatment Application rate 14 DAT 15 DAT Cumulative Total Recovered (kg/a) 31/05/2016 1/06/2016 Total (Dead+Alive) 1 Unireated 0 16.8 c 0.4 17.2 a 18.0 2 Intrade Metakill Synergy 2 6.0 b 0.4 64 b 18.8 3 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 4 4.2ab 0.0 42 ab 18.8 4 ImtradeMetakillSynergy 8 2_4a 0_0 2_4a 17.2 5 Imtrade Metakill Sad & Slug Bait 4 15.0 c 0.0 15.0 e 18.4 P value <0.001 0.130 <0.001 0.58 LSD 2.75 ns 2.8 us s -no statisaca igeneeat p <0.05 Mea . withn eame cellAwit palette - common t ignificantly dfferent (P.05)

Table 5: Comparisonoftreatment means. Mean mortality ofPortugusemillipedes as apercentage of the total recovered (Alive +Dead) No. Treatment Application rate Corrected (kg/ha) Mortality(V )

I Untreated 0 4.0 c 2 Imlrade Metakill Synergy 2 65.3 b 3 Imlrade Metakill Synergy 4 76.9 ab 4 Imlrade Metakill Synergy 8 85.4 a 5 Imrade Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 18.8 c P value <0_001 LSD 16.93 Means withm the same cewith a letter common arenot signficantly different (P>.05) Corrected Mortalityis the mortality ofPortuguese millipedes a a percentage ofthe totalcumber ofecovered Potuguese millipedes. o(TE+T&)x10o CM/. = / +

161M83b - Investigation into the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY on European earwigs in a commercial canola crop.

One small plot replicated field trial was conducted between May and

June 2016 in Mount Barker WA to investigate the efficacy on IMTRADE

METAKILL SYNGERY on European Earwigs when applied as a broadcast bait

treatment in a commercial canola crop.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant

control of European earwigs compared to the untreated control when

assessed as total live earwigs at the 4 and 8 kg/ha rates and equivalent

control compared to IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT at the 2 kg/ha

rate. IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant

control of European earwigs compared to the untreated control and IMTRADE

METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT when assessed via corrected mortality at all

application rates.

Table 1: Comparison oftreatment means. Meandamagetocanola seedlings (0-10 scale) Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 3 DAT 7 DAT 14 DAT (kg/ha) 17/05/2016 20/05/2016 24/05/2016 31/05/2016 1 Untreated 0 03 24 1.9 2.0 2 Imtrade Metalill Synergy 2 0. 1.9 1.8 1.5 3 Intrade Metalall Synergy 4 01 1.6 1.3 1.0 4 Intrade Metakill Synergy 8 0.7 2.0 1.7 22 5 Intrade Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 00 1.4 1.4 1.2 P value 016 0.712 0.744 0.532 LSD ns ns ns ns ns -no statistical significance at p <0.05

Table 2: Comparison oftreatment means. Mean number ofcnolaseedlings Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 3 DAT 7 DAT 14 DAT (kg/ha) 17/05/2016 20/05/2016 24/05/2016 31/05/2016 1 Untreated 0 66 62 5.8 5.6 2 Intrade Metakill Synergy 2 74 6.8 6.6 5.2 3 Intrade Metaall Synergy 4 64 6.4 6.2 6.4 4 Intrade Metalall Synergy 8 74 6.2 6.0 5.6 5 Iltrade Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 66 6.0 5.4 5.0 P value 0.495 0.867 0682 0.649 LSD ns ns ns ns ns -no statistical signific e at p<0.05

Table 3: Comparison treatmentmeans Mean number ofdeadEur ean earwigjs observed Application No. Treatment rate 3 DAT 7 DAT 14 DAT 15 DAT Cumulative Total Recovered (k/) 20/05/2016 24/05/2016 31/05/2016 1/0612016 Total (Dead + Alive) 1 Untreated 0 0_0 b 02 06 0_0 08 6.0 2 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 2 0.0 b 0.0 1.8 06 24 2.8 3 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 4 f_6 ab 0.0 22 04 32 3.8 4 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 8 12 a 0.0 0.6 02 2_0 3.6 5 Imtrade Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 0_0 b 0.0 06 0_4 1_0 38 P value 0.039 0.436 0127 0.645 0.063 0331 LSD 0_89 us ns as ns ns ns-nasatisticalig tp<0.05 ana Measithi the samecettswith attnerncCommonac am iiia mly die t 0 05)

Table 4: Comparisonoftreatmentmeans. Mean numberof live European earwigs observed at trialcompletion Application No. Treatment rate 14DAT 15DAT Total TotalRecovered (kg/ha) 31/05/2016 1/06/2016 Live (Dead +Alive) 1 Untreated 0 4.4 b 0.8 5.2 b 6.0 2 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 2 0.0 a 0.4 0.4 a 2.8 3 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 4 0.2 a 0.4 0.6 a 3.8 4 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 8 1.6 a 0.0 1.6 a 3.6 5 Imtrade Metakill Snal & Slug Bait 4 1.6 a 12 2.8 ab 3.8 P value 0.009 0.170 0.01 0.331 LSD 2.39 ns 2.69 ns ns -no statistical signifcance at p<0.05 Mes vaithin theae cell vaith a letter n common are ntignificantly different (P0.05)

Table 5: Comparisonoftreatment means. Mean mortality of European earwigsas apercentage ofthe total recovered (Alive +Dead) Application No. Treatment rate Corrected (kg/ha) Mortality (%) 1 Untreated 0 137 b 2 Imtrade MetMul Synergy 2 833 a 3 Imtrade Metakill Synergy 4 827 a 4 Imtrade Metakul Synergy 8 640 a 5 Imtrade Metakdl Snail & Slug Bat 4 23.7 b P value 0.002 LSD 38.08 Meam with the same cellwith a letterin common are not igficantly different (P.05) Conected Motality is the mortality of European eanvigs as a percentage ofthe totalnumber of recovered European earwig. CM %= {Taj /(Tho + T )} x 100

Trial 161M95a - Investigation into the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY on Slaters in a commercial lentil crop.

One small plot replicated field trial was conducted in July 2016 in

Minlaton SA to investigate the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY on

Slaters when applied as a broadcast bait treatment in a commercial lentil crop.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY and demonstrated a statistically

significant control of Slaters at all rates compared to the untreated control and

IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT when assessed by dead slaters,

live slaters and corrected mortality. IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG

BAIT demonstrated a statistically significant control of slaters compared to the

untreated control however it was significantly less to that provided by

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY. IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY exhibited

a rate response when assessed by dead individuals and corrected mortality

demonstrated by the lesser response of the 2 kg/ha rate. IMTRADE

METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically equivalent control to industry

standard MESUROL in all cases except for 4 kg/ha of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY assessed by dead individuals which preformed significantly better.

Table 1: Comparison oftreaWment means. Mean damage to lentil seedlings (0-10 scale) Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 8 DAT (kg/ha) 5/07/2016 13/12016 A Int Metakill Synergy 2 0_0 00 B Imt Metakil Synergy 4 00 00 C Int Metakill Synergy 8 0.0 0.0 D Mesumi 2 0_0 00 E Itnt Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 0.0 0.0 F Untreated -- 00 00 P value NA NA LSD NA sigifis data was not anaysed

Table 2: Comparison oftreatment means. Mean (semean) number oflentilseedlingsper plot Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 8 DAT (kg/ha) 5/07/2016 13/7/2016 A Init Metakill Synergy 2 30.4 3.2 31.2 3.1 B Itnt Metakill Synergy 4 264 20 274 27 C Itnt Metakill Synergy 8 302 44 302 44 D MesumM 2 29.6 1.4 29.6 1.5 E Int Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 266 11 266 11 F Untreated -- 288 11 294 13 P value 0.795 0.822 LSD ns ns ns - nostatistical significance atp <D.05

Table 3: Comparison oftreatment means. Mean number ofdead Slaters observedperplot Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 8 DAT (kg/ba) 5/07/2016 13/7/2016 A Itnt Metakill Synergy 2 0_0 1&46 12 B Int Metakill Synergy 4 0_0 2463 13 C Iint Metakill Synergy 8 0.0 20.0' 0.5 D Mesurol 2 0_0 1&2" 17 E Itnt Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 0.0 12.6c 2.6 F Untreated - 0_0 6.0 2.0 P value NA P <_001 LSD 496 NAsignifies datawas not analysed Means within the same cell withaletter in commonarent significantly different(P>005)

Table 4: Comparisonoftreatment means. Mean number o live Slaters observedperplot Application No. Treatment rate 0 DAT 8 DAT (kg/ha) 6/07/2016 13/7/2016 A Int Metakill Synergy 2 30 0.0 1.6 0.5 B Int Metakill Synergy 4 30 0.0 Off 0.0 C Imt Metakill Synergy 8 30 00 04c 04 D Mesurml 2 30 0.0 0.8c 04 E Imt Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 30 0.0 9 0. b 1.5 F Untreated - 30 0.0 14a 18 P value NA P <0.001 LSD - 288 NA signifies data was not analysed Meanswithin the same cellwith alettern common are not significantly different (P>0.05)

Table 5: Comparisonof treatmentmeans. Mean mortality ofSlaters as apercentageofthe total recovered (Alive +Dead) No. Treatment Application rate Corrected Transformed (kg/ha) Mortality Mortality data A Imt Metakill Synergy 2 93% 41% 1-33 b B Imt Metakill Synergy 4 100% 45% 157 a C Imt Metakill Synergy 8 98% 44% 151 ab D Mesurol 2 95% 43% 140 ab E Imt Metakill Snail & Slug Bait 4 56% 25% 0.86 c F Untreated -- 29% 13% 0.56 d

P value NA P < 0.001 LSD 021 NA sigifies data was not analysed CorrectedMortalityis the mortality of Slaters as a percentageof the totalnumnber of recoveredSlates. CM%= {Ta/ (T ) 100 Transformedmodality data within the samecell with a letter in common are not significantly different (P>.05)

Trial 161M95b - Investigation into the bio-equivalency of IMTRADE

METAKILL SYNERGY to that of IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG

BAIT on Common White Snails.

One replicated laboratory assay was conducted in July 2016 at the

South Australian Research and Development facilities, Urrbrae SA to

investigate the bio-equivalency of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY to that of

IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT on Common White Snails.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY and IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG

BAIT demonstrated statistically equivalent control of common white snails and

statistically significant control compared to the PLACEBO. IMTRADE

METAKILL SYNERGY at a rate of 3 pellets per arena demonstrated

statistically significant control over IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT

at the same rate, with all other rates of both products demonstrating

statistically equivalent control to IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY at 3 pellets

per arena. Common White Snails consumed a statistically higher amount of

PLACEBO than either IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY or IMTRADE

METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT, which were consumed in statistically

equivalent amounts.

Table 1: Weight ofpellets pre andpost Common White Snail introduction and the calculatedweightofpelletsconsumedper treatment with mean SE analysis. TREATMENT ANALYSIS No. Treatment No. Pellets Applied Wt Subset Dw Recovered Dw Consumption* (per arena) mg mg mg mg SE A IMT METAKILL SYNERGY 1 20 19 11 8.21 3.1 B IMT METAKILL SYNERGY 3 53 49 418 7.5 08 C IMTMETAKILLSYNERGY 6 89 82 75 7.35 0.6 D IMT METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT 1 18 16.6 6.6 10.0 2.4 E IMT METAKILL SNAJL & SLUG BAIT 3 42 39 32.2 7.0' 1.2 F IMTMETAKILLSNAIL&SLUGBAIT 6 79 74 65.2 8.9, 0.8 G PLACEBO 6 94 9L2 0 91.2' 0.9 Pvalue ana anal ama <0.001

LSD 4.77 FACTORIAL ANALYSIS Fanulation PATMETAKILLSNAIL&SLUGBAIT 46.5 43.2' 34.7 8.6 PAT METAKILL SYNERGY 54.3 50.0 42.6 - 7.6 Pvalue <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 0496 LSD 3.35 3.13 4.25 Js Application Rate 1 19.2 17.8 8.81 91 3 47.6' 44.0' 37.0 7.2 6 84_5 780 70_1 Pvalue <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 0.575 LSD 4.10 3.83 5.20 us Measowithsin thesame celt altterineommtsonesoot sigmfcatlyoldiffement (P05) naa- nalyisonot applieule us-noeosassfiaecealp<0.05 *cenmmption=saet dw - roered dwasotiedtin 3 6 2 'Methodogy

Table 2: Analysis oftreatment means with SE; Mean number ofdead snailsper arena 3 & 7 DA T and correctedmortalitypercentage. TREATMENT ANALYSIS

No. Treatment No. 3 DAT 7 DAT Corrected Mortality* Pellets 11-7/2016 15!7/16 (%) arena) A EAT METAKILL SYNERGY 1 7.2 ab 0.9 7.4 ab 0.9 64.6 12.6 B PAT METAKILL SYNERGY 3 7.6 a 0.5 8.0 0.3 72.8 4.3 C [MT METAKILL SYNERGY 6 8.0a 0.3 8.0 a 0.3 72.8 4.3 D IMT METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT 1 6.8 a 0.6 6.8 ab 0.6 56.6 79 E IMT METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT 3 5.8 * 0.7 6.2 0.8 48.6 10.7 F IMT METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT 6 7.2 Al 0.5 7.6 b 0.5 67.4 6.8 G PLACEBO 6 0.6' 0.2 2.60 0.6 -- -

P value <0.001 <0.001 0.291 LSD 1 62 1.79 ns FACTORIAL ANALYSIS Formulation IMT METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT 6.6 6.9 57.5 IMT METAKILL SYNERGY 7.6 7.8 70.1 P value 0.0503 0.077 0.079 LSD ns ns ns Application Rate 1 7.0 7.1 60.6 3 6.7 7.1 60.7 6 7.6 7.8 70.1 P value 0.322 0.439 0.439 LSD ns j ns ns Means within the same cell with alter i commnae notsignificanly difereAt (P0_05) s- unstatistialsignificacet p 0.05 oreed mortality eaeulated usingAbt ts fooula asulmed in 3.7.1 'AssssmetDet s'

Trial 161M95c - Investigation into the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY on Slaters in a laboratory assay.

One replicated laboratory assay was conducted in August 2016 at the

South Australian Research and Development facilities, Urrbrae SA to

investigate the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY on Slaters when

used as a bait treatment and quantity the amount consumed to inform field

rates.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant

control of slaters at all rates tested when assed by dead individuals, live

individuals, corrected mortality and reduction percentage compared to

IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT and the PLACEBO. IMTRADE

METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically equivalent control of Slaters

as industry standard MESUROL. Lower rates of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY are required to control Slaters compared to the industry standard

MESUROL as 26 mg/arena (2 pellets) and 47 mg/arena (4 pellets) of

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically equivalent control

of Slaters as 55 mg/arena (2 pellets) of MESUROL.

TableI1: Weight ofpelletspre andpostSlaterintroduction and the calculated weight ofpellets consumedpertreatmentwith mean SE analysis.

No. Treatment No. Pellets Applied Wt Subset Dw Recovered Dw Consumption* (per aren) (mg) (mg) (mg) Mg SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 26 25 23 1.8" 06 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 47 45 43 1.9" 03 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 91 91 86 0.2 03 D MESUROL 2 55 53 46 6 .5' 19 E METAKILL 4 43 41 42 off 03 F PLACEBO 4 61 57 46 11.2 37 P value naoP < 0 001 LSD 5_07 M In thAe celitaletter common ae not ifican& different( (P=0.05) - - Z.tsi~pph k * ompton = be dw --. ed Nd tied . 3.6.2'Metdol gy~

Table 2: Comparison of treatment means. Mean number ofdead Slaters observedperarenawith mean SE analysis.

No. Treatment No. Pellets 0 DAT S DAT (per arena) 30/0712016 7/8/2016 SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 0.0 94' 0.40 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 0.0 94' 0.60 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 0.0 88" 0.80 D MESUROL 2 0.0 8.6 ' 0.51 E MIETAKILL 4 0.0 6.8" 1.07 F PLACEBO 4 0.0 3.6 0.81 P value ana P <0.001 LSD -- 213 a - analysis not applicable Means withinthe saa cell with letterin common ae not significantly different (P>0.05)

Table 3: Comparison oftreatmentmeans. Mean number oflive Slaters observedper arena

No. Treatment No. Pellets 0 DAT 8 DAT (per arena) 30/07/2016 SE 7/8/2016 SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 10 0.0 0.2' 0.20 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 10 0.0 0. O 0.00 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 10 0.0 0.0 0.00 D MESUIROL 2 10 0.0 0.2c 0.20 E METAKILL 4 10 0.0 2.4" 0.93 F PLACEBO 4 10 00 6.W 0.84 P value ana P < 0.001 LSD -- 1_53 ana - analysisnot applicable Means within the same cellwith a letter n common are not gnificantlydifferent (P>.05)

Table. Comparison oftreatment means. Mean mortality ofSlaters as percentage ofthe total recovered (Alive +Dead)andpercentageReductionfrom untreatedPlacebo

No. Treatment No. Pellets CorrectedMortality Reduction (per arena) % SE % SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 93' 41 97' 3 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 100' 45 100 0 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 98* 44 100' 0 D MESUROL 2 95, 43 96a 11 E METAKILL 4 5 61 25 56' 0 F PLACEBO 4 29' 13 ana P value P C 001 P<0001 LSD 233 191 aa-aalyinot wapplcabk Tranfornedmednality daitath he sameellsthak ter commonenotsgfi tly diff t (-- -05) CorectedMortalityisthemortaaltyofSatesasapercntageoftheftotasnbeoofreoeedSate.CM%= TaJ/(T-.+T,) 100 Reduction from unied conls (Reducton %) wasckuledsing Su-Shepards formlaasoutined in 37.1'Aesmen Deals'

Trial 161M95d - Investigation into the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY on European Earwigs in a laboratory assay.

One replicated laboratory assay was conducted in May 2016 at the

South Australian Research and Development facilities, Urrbrae SA to

investigate the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY on European

Earwigs when used as a bait treatment and quantity the amount consumed to

inform field rates.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY provided complete control of

European Earwigs in this assay. IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY

demonstrated statistically significant control of European Earwigs when

assessed via corrected mortality at all rates compared to industry standard

MESUROL, IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT and PLACEBO.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant control

of European Earwigs at all rates when assessed by dead individuals

compared to IMTRADE METAKILL SNAIL & SLUG BAIT and PLACEBO, and

statistically equivalent control compared to industry standard MESUROL.

Lower rates of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY are required to control

European Earwigs compared to the industry standard MESUROL as 26

mg/arena (2 pellets) and 53 mg/arena (4 pellets) of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant control of European Earwigs

compared to 75 mg/arena (2 pellets) of MESUROL.

TableI: Weight ofpellets pre andpost EuropeanEarwigintroductionand the calculated weight ofpelletsconsumedpertreatment with mean SE analysis.

No. Treatment No. Pellets Apphed WI Subset Dw Recovered Dw Consumptien* (prarena) (mg) (mg) (mg) Mg I SE A METAKIL SYNERGY 2 26 26 21 6d 0.5 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 53 52 46 6d 0.6 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 106 105 99 5' 04 D MESUROL 2 75 74 51 23C 59 E METAKILL 4 53 53 2 51 2.8 F PLACEBO 4 63 62 0 62^ 1.1

Value ana as ana<0001 LSD 8_02 Means witin tesame cell ith aletter m c ae not ii5c ly diffe t (P -005) aa- analysissatapplicable Sconsmptin= sbe d -reev-ed d. as ut d in 3.6.2 'Methedelgy

Table 2: Comparison oftreatmentmeans. Mean number ofdead EuropeanEarwig s observedper arena with mean SE analysis.

No. Treatment No. Pellets 0 DAT 3 DAT 8 DAT (per arena) 30/04/2016 3/05/2016 SE 8/05/2016 SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 00 10-0 0.0 100a 00 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 00 b0a 00 100a 00 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 00 10.0 0.0 100a 00 D MESUROL 2 00 9 2b 04 9.6a 02 E METAKILL 4 00 1-20 02 3._0b 04 F PLACEBO 4 0.0 0-4t 01 28 2 04

P value ana P <0.00 1 P < 0001 LSD 0584 0754 am-analysis not applicable Meansvithinthe same cellv ia letter n comn ar not ignicantlydifferent (P>0.05)

Table 3: Comparison oftreatmentmeans. CorrectedMortality ofEuropean Earwigs expressed as a percentage reduchonfrom untreated calculated using Abbottsformulae.

No. Pellets Corrected Mortaty* No. Treatment SDAT (per arena) % SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 100, 0 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 100 0 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 100 0 D MESUROL 2 97 b 2 E METAKILL 4 45' 3 P value P <0001 LSD 0.102 ana - analysis not applicable Transformed morality data vithia the same cell with a letter in commonare not significantly diffTeent (P.05) aenorected mortality calculted usmg Abbots formula as outlmed in 3.71 'Assessment Details

Trial 161M95e- Investigation into the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL

SYNERGY on Portuguese Millipedes in a laboratory assay.

One replicated laboratory assay was conducted in May 2016 at the

South Australian Research and Development facilities, Urrbrae SA to

investigate the efficacy of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY on Portuguese

Millipedes when used as a bait treatment and quantity the amount consumed

to inform field rates.

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY provided complete control of

Portuguese Millipedes in this assay and demonstrated statistically equivalent

control at all rates. IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically

significant control of Portuguese Millipedes compared to the PLACEBO,

IMTRADE METAKILL and MESUROL when assessed by dead millipedes and

corrected mortality. Lower rates of IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY are

required to control Portuguese Millipedes compared to the industry standard

MESUROL as 28 mg/arena (2 pellets) and 57 mg/arena (4 pellets) of

IMTRADE METAKILL SYNERGY demonstrated statistically significant control

of Portuguese Millipedes compared to 96 mg/arena (2 pellets) of MESUROL.

Table 1 Weight ofpelletspre andpostPortugueseMillipedeintroductionand the calculated weight ofpellets consumed per treatmentwithnean SE analysis.

No. Treatment No. Pellets Applied WIt Subset Dw Recovered Dw Consumption* (per arena) (mg) (mg) (mg) mg SE A METAKHL SYNERGY 2 30 28 18 10 0.3

B METAKHL SYNERGY 4 60 57 47 10, 0.5

C METAKHL SYNERGY 8 116 110 98 11, 0.5

D MESUROL 2 101 96 82 15, 3.0

E METAKIHL 4 52 49 0 49 ' 2.1

F PLACEBO 4 77 72 0 72' 3.4

Pvalue an a Pana P<0.001 LSD 6.104 R e c-b.t w1i altemcomnaentigmfica.y diffeent(P 0.05)

c Fnspo =mbet dw -roveed d. sut.ied i Methodloegy

Table 2: Comparisonoftreatment means. Mean number ofdead PortugueseMillipedes observedper arenawith mean SE analysis.

No. Treatment No. Pellets 0 DAT 3 DAT S DAT (per arena) 2/05/2016 5/05/2016 SE 10/05/2016 SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 00 100, 00 100, 00 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 00 100, 00 100, 00 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 0.0 100, 00 100, 00 D MESUROL 2 0.0 9.2 04 9.4b 02 E METAKILL 4 00 001 00 0.2' 02 F PLACEBO 4 0.0 00 00 001 00 Pvalue ana P<0_001 P<0.001 LSD 0446 0377 ana - analysis not applicable Meanswithin the same cell ith a letteruncommon are notsignificantly different (P>005)

Table 3: Comparisonof treatmentmeans. CorrectedMortality (96)ofPortugueseMillipedes expressed as a percentagereductionfrom group as calculatedusingAbbottsformulae.

No. Pellets Corrected Mortality* No. Treatment 8DAT (per arena) % SE A METAKILL SYNERGY 2 100 0 B METAKILL SYNERGY 4 100, 0 C METAKILL SYNERGY 8 100 0 D MESUROL 2 94 b 2 E METAKILL 4 2 2 P value P <0.001 LSD 13 ana - analysis not applicable Transformed modality data within the same cellwh matterincmmon arenotsigmficntly different (P0.05) corected mortality calculated usmg Abbots formula as outlmed in 3.1 'Assessment Details

Example 4 - Alternative Embodiments of a Granular Composition

Variations on the embodiment of the granular composition outlined in

Examples, with an alternative insecticide in place of the fipronil component,

have also been evaluated for efficacy.

The first embodiment below replaces fipronil with thiamethoxam (CAS#

153719-23-4).

The second embodiment replaces fipronil with imidacloprid (CAS#

138261-41-3).

The third embodiment retains fipronil but varies the active ingredient

content from the preferred embodiment of 50g/kg methaldehyde with 1.5g/kg

fipronil to 1O0g/kg metaldehyde and 30g/kg fipronil thereby providing support

for variations of the granular composition across varying types of molluscicide

and insecticide as well as concentrations thereof.

Table 3 - 50g/kg metaldehyde + 1.5g/kg thiamethoxam granular

composition

Ingredient Role Concentration Metaldehyde (CAS# 108-62-3) Active molluscicidal 51.0g/kg (to yield technical material, typically 98% ingredient 50g/kg on 100% basis) Thiamethoxam (CAS# 153719- Active insecticidal ingredient 1.55g/kg (to yield 23-4) technical material, typically 1.5g/kg on 100% 97% basis) Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7) Bait attractant 1Og/kg Canola oil (CAS# 120962-03-0) Bait attractant 1Og/kg Wheat flour (CAS# 130498-22-5) Bait attractant -800g/kg and Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) or other cereal content Polyhydroxymethyl urea (CAS# Binder 57g/kg 1000-82-4) Calcium stearate (CAS# 1592- Binder/conditioner 3g/kg 23-0) Brilliant green dye (CAS# 633- Pigment/dye 5g/kg 03-4) Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6) Filler Balance to 100% w/w

Table 4 - 50g/kg metaldehyde + 1.5g/kg imidacloprid granular

composition

Ingredient Role Concentration Metaldehyde (CAS# 108-62-3) Active molluscicidal 51.0g/kg (to yield technical material, typically 98% ingredient 50g/kg on 100% basis) Imidacloprid (CAS# 138261-41- Active insecticidal ingredient 1.53g/kg (to yield 3) technical material, typically 1.5g/kg on 100% 98% basis) Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7) Bait attractant 1Og/kg Canola oil (CAS# 120962-03-0) Bait attractant 1Og/kg Wheat flour (CAS# 130498-22-5) Bait attractant -800g/kg and Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) or other cereal content Polyhydroxymethyl urea (CAS# Binder 57g/kg 1000-82-4) Calcium stearate (CAS# 1592- Binder/conditioner 3g/kg 23-0) Brilliant green dye (CAS# 633- Pigment/dye 5g/kg 03-4) Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6) Filler Balance to 100% w/w

Table 5 - 100g/kg metaldehyde + 30g/kg fipronil granular composition

Ingredient Role Concentration Metaldehyde (CAS# 108-62- Active molluscicidal 102.0g/kg (to 3) technical material, typically ingredient yield 100g/kg on 98% 100% basis) Fipronil (CAS# 120068-37-3) Active insecticidal 30.6g/kg (to yield technical material, typically ingredient 30g/kg on 100% 98% basis) Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7) Bait attractant 1Og/kg Canola oil (CAS# 120962-03- Bait attractant 1Og/kg ) Wheat flour (CAS# 130498- Bait attractant -720g/kg 22-5) and Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) or other cereal content Polyhydroxymethyl urea Binder 57g/kg (CAS# 1000-82-4) Calcium stearate (CAS# Binder/conditioner 3g/kg 1592-23-0) Brilliant green dye (CAS# 633- Pigment/dye 5g/kg 03-4) Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6) Filler Balance to 100% w/w

Generally there is no restriction on the metaldehyde concentration of

the granular composition in an administrative context, with all metaldehyde

based products reporting to schedule 6 of the poisons standard when the

concentration thereof is above 2%.

Metaldehyde content may also be lifted whilst still experiencing the

mollusc and/or insect mortality rates expected. Additionally this would impart

economies of reduced manufacturing, packaging, storage, handling and the

like per unit area of application with reduced matrix ingredient requirement to

carry the active ingredients

Testing of the efficacy of the above embodiments of the granular

composition against snails was conducted (see Example 5). Testing of

efficacy was also conducted satisfactorily against crickets and wood

cockroaches.

All of the above embodiments displayed good palatability and delivered

the desired pest mortality.

Example 5 - Efficacy trials of the Example 4 embodiments on white

conical snail:

1. Metakill Imidacloprid variant pellet (IAS16271) (Metaldehyde 50g/kg

+ Imidacloprid 1.5g/kg)

2. Metakill Thiamethoxam variant pellet (IAS16272) (Metaldehyde 50g/kg

+ Thiamethoxam 1.5g/kg)

3. Metakill Fipronil High Load variant pellet (IAS17012) (Metaldehyde 100g/kg

+ Fipronil 30g/kg)

Summary:

1. HDPE container with holes was used.

2. Each container consists of 1 target pest, 5 pellets of product and an

alternative food source (lettuce)

3. A total of 10 trials for each product was done, same as with control (no

presence of pellet)

4. Survival of the snails was observed each day for 5 days.

5. Containers are sprayed with water each day.

Conclusion:

• Control samples are all alive after 6 days - 0% fatality

• Thiamethoxam variant: 100% fatality after 24 hrs.

• Imidacloprid variant: 80% effective after 24hrs, 100% fatality after 5

days

* High load variant: 60% effective after 24 hrs. 90% effective after 48hrs,

100% fatality after 5 days.

Target Pest: White Conical Snail

Control Thu Fri Mon Tue Thu Fri Mon Tue Thiamethoxam (no 24 48 5 6 24 48 variant pellets) hrs hrs days days hrs hrs 5 days 6 days

1 C1 A A A A 1 T1 D D D D

2 C2 A A A A 2 T2 D D D D

3 C3 A A A A 3 T3 D D D D

4 C4 A A A A 4 T4 D D D D

C5 A A A A 5 T5 D D D D

6 C6 A A A A 6 T6 D D D D

7 C7 A A A A 7 T7 D D D D

8 C8 A A A A 8 T8 D D D D

9 C9 A A A A 9 T9 D D D D

C10 A A A A 10 T10 D D D D

Imidaclopr Thu Fri Mon Tue Thu Fri Mon Tue High Load id 24 48 5 6 24 48 variant variant hrs hrs days days hrs hrs 5 days 6 days

1 11 D D D D 1 H1 D D D D

2 12 A A D D 2 H2 A D D D

3 13 A A D D 3 H3 D D D D

4 14 D D D D 4 H4 A A D D

15 D D D D 5 H5 D D D D

6 16 D D D D 6 H6 D D D D

7 17 D D D D 7 H7 D D D D

8 18 D D D D 8 H8 A D D D

9 19 D D D D 9 H9 D D D D

110 D D D D 10 H10 A D D D

Legend: A - Alive Start: 1/2/2017 7:00AM

D - Dead End: 7/2/2017 7:00AM

Example 6 - Efficacy trials of the Example 4 embodiments with target

species such as cockroach and crickets

Products used for trials:

Code Details Active/ loading

1 Control no pellets

2 Metakil placebo pellets no actives

(IAS17048)

3 Metakil Imidacloprid variant pellet (Metaldehyde 50g/kg + Imidacloprid

(IAS16271) 1.5g/kg)

4 Metakil Thiamethoxam variant (Metaldehyde 50g/kg + Thiamethoxam

pellet (IAS16272) 1.5g/kg)

5 Metakil High Load variant pellet (Metaldehyde 1OOg/kg + Fipronil 30g/kg)

(IAS17012)

6 Metakil normal variant pellet (Metaldehyde 50g/kg + Fipronil 15g/kg)

(B# 14138)

7 Metaldehyde only pellets (option) (Metaldehyde 50g/kg)

(IAS17036)

Conditions:

1. HDPE containers covered with flyscreen and fixed using with rubber bands

were used.

2. Each container consists of 1 target pest, 5 pellets of product and an

alternative food source

3. A total of 5 trials for each product was done, same as with control (no

presence of pellet)

4. Survival of the target species was observed for 5 days at ambient

conditions.

5. Containers were sprayed with water and replenished with food source each

day.

Results:

• Control samples : All are alive after 5 days - 0% fatality for both target

species

• Metakil placebo pellets (no actives):

Cockroach - 40% effective after 24hrs. 60% fatality after 5 days,

Crickets - 20% effective after 24hrs. 40% fatality after 5 days.

• Metakil Imidacloprid variant pellet:

Cockroach - 60% effective after 24hrs. 100% fatality after 5 days

Crickets - 60% effective after 24hrs, 80% effective after 96h, 100% fatality

after 5 days

• Metakil Thiamethoxam variant pellet:

Cockroach - 60% effective after 24hrs. 100% fatality after 5 days.

Cricket - 60% effective after 24hrs. 80% effective after 72hrs, 100% fatality

after 5 days

• Metakil High load variant pellet:

Cockroach and Crickets - 100% fatality after 24hrs.

• Metakil Normal variant pellet:

Cockroach - 60% effective after 24hrs, 80% effective after 48hrs. 100%

fatality after 96 hrs.

Crickets - 80% fatality after 24hrs. 100% fatality after 48hrs.

• Metakil - metaldehyde only variant:

Cockroach - no effect on target species up to 72hrs, with 40% fatality after

96hrs. same results after 5 days.

Cricket - no effect on target species up to 72hrs, with 80% fatality after 96hrs

with same results after 5days.

Legend: D = Dead A = Alive

Date! Time started: 28/3/17; 1300H

1. Control After After After After After After After After After After

(no pellets) 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

1.1 A A A A A A A A A A

1.2 A A A A A A A A A A

1.3 A A A A A A A A A A

1.4 A A A A A A A A A A

1.5 A A A A A A A A A A

% EFFECTIVE 0% 0%

2. Placebo pellets After After After After After After After After After After

(no active - 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

IAS17048)

2.1 A A A A A A A A A A

2.2 A A A A A A A A A

2.3

2.4 A A A AA A A A A

2.5 6M A A A A A

%EFFECTIVE 40% 40% 40% 40% 60% 20% 20% 20% 20% 40%

3. Imidacloprid After After After After After After After After After After

variant 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

(IAS16271)

3.1

3.2 A A A A

3.3 A A A

3.4 A A A A

3.5 A A A A

% EFFECTIVE 60% 60% 60% 60% 100% 60% 60% 60% 80% 100%

4. Thiamethoxam After After After After After After After After After After

variant 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

(IAS16272)

4.1 : i

4.2 A A A AA A A A

4.3A

4.4

% EFFECTIVE 60% 60% 60% 60% 100% 60% 60% 80% 80% 100%

5. High Load After After After After After After After After After After

variant 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

(IAS17012)

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

% EFFECTIVE 100% 100%

6. Metakil normal After After After After After After After After After After

variant(B#14038) 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

6.1

6.2

6.3 A

6.4

6.5 A A A

% EFFECTIVE 60% 80% 80% 10% 100% 80% 100% 100% 100% 100%

7. Metaldlehyde After After After After After After After After After After

pellet 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h

variant (IAS17036)

7.1 A A A A A A A A

7.2 A A A A A A

7.3 A A A A A A A A

7.4 A A A A A A A A

7.5 A A A A A A A A

% EFFECTIVE 0% 0% 0% 40% 40% 0% 0% 0% 80% 80%

Conclusion a Metakil variants efficacy rating per target specie :

Cockroach: 5 > 6 > 3 > 4 >7 Cricket: 5>6>4 >3>7

• Metakil high load variant is 100% effective after 1 day for both species

compared to the normal variant which is 100% effective after 4 days for

cockroach and 2 days for crickets. Also shows that cockroaches are

more resilient than crickets.

• Metaldehyde Fipronil variant is more effective compared to the

Imidacloprid or Thiomethoxam variants.

Example 7 - Further Embodiments of a Granular Composition

Below are provided a number of further embodiments of the granular

composition of the invention. These embodiments include the carbamate

molluscicide methiocarb or an inorganic molluscicide (e.g., an iron salt in the

form of a sulphate or phosphate salt, or an iron chelate in the form of an EDTA

complex).

These embodiments serve to also demonstrate, in addition to different

active ingredients, alternative dye/pigment (e.g., methiocarb must be coloured

blue and metaldehyde green as per Australian pesticide regulations) and filler.

Methiocarb and Fipronil

Ingredient Role Concentration Methiocarb (CAS# 2032-65-7) technical Active molluscicidal 28.1g/kg (to yield material, typically 98% ingredient 27.5g/kg on 100% basis) Fipronil (CAS# 120068-37-3) technical Active insecticidal 1.53g/kg (to yield material, typically 98% ingredient 1.5g/kg on 100% basis) From amongst: Bait attractant -740g/kg Canola oil (CAS# 120962-03-0); Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7); Wheat flour (CAS# 130498-22-5) and Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) or other cereal content From amongst: Binder -60g/kg Polyhydroxymethyl urea (CAS# 1000-82-4); Calcium stearate (CAS# 1592-23-0) Brilliant blue dye (CAS# 3844-45-9) Pigment/dye -5g/kg From amongst: Filler Balance to 100% Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6); w/w Silica (CAS# 7631-86-9); Kaolin (CAS# 1332-58-7); Bentonite (CAS# 1302-78-9); Additional bait attractant

Ferric EDTA and Imidacloprid

Ingredient Role Concentration Ferric EDTA (CAS# 17099-81-9) technical Active molluscicidal 75.0g/kg (to yield material, typically 98% ingredient 60.0g/kg on 100% basis) Imidacloprid (CAS# 138261-41-3) technical Active insecticidal 20.4g/kg (to yield material, typically 98% ingredient 20.0g/kg on 100% basis) From amongst: Bait attractant -740g/kg Canola oil (CAS# 120962-03-0); Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7); Wheat flour (CAS# 130498-22-5) and Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) or other cereal content From amongst: Binder -60g/kg Polyhydroxymethyl urea (CAS# 1000-82-4); Calcium stearate (CAS# 1592-23-0) Ponceau 4R dye (CAS# 2611-82-7) Pigment/dye -5g/kg From amongst: Filler Balance to 100% Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6); w/w Silica (CAS# 7631-86-9); Kaolin (CAS# 1332-58-7); Bentonite (CAS# 1302-78-9); Additional bait attractant

Iron Phosphate and Thiamethoxam Ingredient Role Concentration Ferric phosphate dihydrate (CAS# 13463-10-0) Active molluscicidal 36.7g/kg (to yield technical material, typically 94% ingredient 28.0g/kg on 100% anhydrous basis) Thiamethoxam (CAS# 153719-23-4) technical Active insecticidal 15.5g/kg (to yield material, typically 97% ingredient 15.0g/kg on 100% basis) From amongst: Bait attractant -740g/kg Canola oil (CAS# 120962-03-0); Yeast (CAS# 68876-77-7); Wheat flour (CAS# 130498-22-5) and Wheat bran (CAS# N/a) or other cereal content From amongst: Binder -60g/kg Polyhydroxymethyl urea (CAS# 1000-82-4); Calcium stearate (CAS# 1592-23-0) From amongst: Filler Balance to 100% Talc (CAS# 14807-96-6); w/w Silica (CAS# 7631-86-9); Kaolin (CAS# 1332-58-7); Bentonite (CAS# 1302-78-9); Additional bait attractant

EDITORIAL NOTE

APPLICATION NUMBER - 2018204615

Please note: The absence of claims pages 71 and 72 has not resulted in the omission of any content from this document.

Claims (14)

1. A granular composition for preventing and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect

infestation comprising:

(a) metaldehyde;

(b) fipronil; and

(c) a binder.

2. The granular composition of Claim 1, wherein the binder is or comprises calcium

stearate and/or polyhydroxymethyl urea.

3. The granular composition of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising

an attractant.

4. The granular composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

granular composition is substantially water resistant.

5. The granular composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

metaldehyde is present at between 0.5 g/kg and 500 g/kg.

6. The granular composition of Claim 5, wherein the metaldehyde is present at

about 50 g/kg.

7. The granular composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fipronil is present at between 0.01 g/kg and 100 g/kg.

8. The granular composition of Claim 7, wherein the fipronil is present at about 1.5

g/kg.

9. A method for preventing and/or controlling a mollusc and/or insect infestation

which includes the step of administering an effective amount of the granular

composition of any one of Claims 1 to 8 to a target area to thereby prevent and/or

control the mollusc and/or insect infestation.

10. A method of preparing a granular composition for the control and/or prevention of

a mollusc and/or insect infestation, said method including the steps of:

(a) mixing metaldehyde, fipronil, a binder and optionally an attractant; and

(b) granulating the mixture of step (a);

to thereby prepare the granular composition.

11. The method of Claim 10, wherein the binder is or comprises calcium stearate

and/or polyhydroxymethyl urea.

12. The method of Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the granular composition is

substantially water resistant.

13. The method of any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the mixture of step (a) is

granulated, at least in part, by extrusion granulation.

14. A granular composition prepared by the method of any one of Claims 10 to 13.

Imtrade Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON