AU2021102687A4 - Pesticide formulation comprising deltamethrin - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an emulsifiable concentrate formulation comprising deltamethrin, piperonyl butoxide, a surfactant; and a solvent, wherein the solvent comprises a petroleum hydrocarbon present in an amount of at least 150 g/L of the total volume of the formulation, as well as methods for producing an emulsifiable concentrate formulation and use of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation.

Description

PESTICIDE FORMULATION COMPRISING DELTAMETHRIN FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pesticide formulation. In particular, the

present invention relates to a pesticide formulation containing deltamethrin

as an active agent and piperonyl butoxide as a synergist and to methods of

preparing and using said formulation. In preferred embodiments, the

formulation is a concentrate for dilution and subsequent application to

stored grains as a protectant against insecticidal attack. However, it will be

appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Deltamethrin is a member of the pyrethroid class of insecticides. Like

all pyrethroids, it is a sodium channel antagonist with fast-acting, non

systemic contact and stomach activity. It is known to be effective against

agricultural pests in cereals and a wide range of various foliar crops, such

as citrus, vines, and vegetables, and soil surface spraying can protect

against Noctuidae species. It is also used in industrial and veterinary

settings to control, for example, flies, crawling insects and flying insects in

indoor settings, pests in stored grains and timber, and ectoparasites and

pests that effect agricultural animals when prepared as a dip or spray-on

formulation.

Deltamethrin is the compound (S)-a-cyano-phenoxybenzyl (1R,3R)

3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate. It is commonly

used to control Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera and

Thysanoptera spp. in cereals (including stored grains) and other crops, as well as Blattodea, Culicidae and Muscidae in stored timber. It is especially preferred for controlling Acrididae and Noctuidae spp. It can also be used to control Muscidae, Tabanidae, Ixodidae and Acari spp in animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. It is commonly used to control pests on a wide variety of agriculturally relevant crops.

It is a known problem that insecticides such as deltamethrin, when

administered alone, can display reduced efficacy in populations of target

pests that are treated multiple times, as the populations tend to build

resistance to the active ingredient. One approach to counteract such

resistance is to combine deltamethrin with other active ingredients.

However, the efficacy of such combinations can also diminish over time and

with repeated exposure of the population. Accordingly, it would be

preferable, and a significant advance in the art, to provide a pesticide

composition that does not display reduced efficacy over time or with

repeated exposure to a target population.

Notwithstanding the commercial availability of a range of

deltamethrin formulations, there remains a need for improved deltamethrin

based formulations for use in agriculture and/or industry that overcomes one

or more of the inherent limitations of commercially available deltamethrin

formulations.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at

least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful

alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides an emulsifiable concentrate

formulation comprising:

deltamethrin;

piperonyl butoxide;

a surfactant; and

a solvent,

wherein the solvent comprises a petroleum hydrocarbon present in

an amount of at least 150 g/L of the total volume of the formulation.

In some embodiments, the deltamethrin is present at a concentration

of at least about 10 g/L of the total weight of the formulation. Particularly,

the deltamethrin can be present in an amount between about 10 g/L to about

75 g/L.

In certain embodiments, the piperonyl butoxide is present at a

concentration of at least about 50 g/L of the total weight of the formulation.

Particularly, the piperonyl butoxide can be present in an amount between

about 50 g/L to about 500 g/L.

In some embodiments, the surfactant is selected from a non-ionic

surfactant, an anionic surfactant or a mixture thereof, and is present in an

amount of at least 20 g/L. Particularly, the surfactants present are in a total

concentration of between about 20 g/L and 150 g/L.

Suitably, the surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of

an alkylphenol, an alkylbenzene sulphonate, an alkoxylated styryl phenol, a

vegetable oil ethoxylate, and any combination thereof. Preferably, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of calcium C10-16 alkylbenzyl sulphonate, an ethoxylated tristyryl phenol and a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises petroleum

hydrocarbons such as a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum) which

is present in an amount of at least 150 g/L, or at least 250 g/L, of the total

volume of the formulation. In other words, at least 150 g/L (i.e., 15% w/v) of

the formulation is a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum), although

other solvents may also be present and hence the total solvent may be

greater than 150 g/L. However, the solvent used in the formulations of the

present invention does not comprise benzyl alcohol, or does not comprise

substantial amounts of benzyl alcohol, over and above what may be

generally found in petroleum hydrocarbons. Prior art pesticide formulations

comprising deltamethrin tend to be characterised by the use of solvents that

are either expensive or have some associated toxicity. One example is the

use of benzyl alcohol as a solvent. Benzyl alcohol is a useful solvent due to

its polarity and low vapour pressure. However, it is inherently toxic (albeit

only having low acute toxicity with an LD5o of 1.2 g/kg in rats) and is costly.

It can also cause allergic contact dermatitis in a significant percentage of

the population. Very high concentrations can result in toxic effects including

respiratory failure, vasodilation, hypotension, convulsions, and paralysis.

The present invention avoids the use of such solvents, and instead utilises

petroleum hydrocarbons as the predominant solvent for combined

deltamethrin and piperonyl butoxide emulsifiable concentrate products. In

so doing, unnecessarily expense is avoided and a broadly established agriculturally acceptable solvent family is engaged in preference to a less desirable alternative. In particular, hydrocarbon solvents of closed-cup flashpoint of >60 0C are preferred so as to be categorised outside of a dangerous goods flammable liquids class 3 classification. Other, equivalent solvents and solvent types will be well known to the skilled person. In some embodiments, the solvent consists of, or consists essentially of, one or more petroleum hydrocarbons.

The total amount of solvent present in the emulsifiable concentrate

formulation may be between about 350 g/L and about 800 g/L. When

additional solvents are used, each may be selected from the group

consisting of another petroleum derivative, a carboxamide, a benzoate, a

ketone, a pyrrolidone and any combination thereof. Preferably, the

additional solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alternative

heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum) distillate or N-methyl

pyrrolidone. More specifically, in one embodiment, the solvent comprises

heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum) and N-methyl pyrrolidone.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an emulsifiable

concentrate, comprising:

deltamethrin at a concentration of at least about 50 g/L;

piperonyl butoxide at a concentration of at least about 400 g/L;

a non-ionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylated tristyryl phenol;

an anionic surfactant comprising a calcium salt of an alkylbenzene

sulfonate; and

a solvent comprising a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum) and wherein the solvent does not comprise or does not substantially comprise benzyl alcohol.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides method of preventing

and/or controlling a pest infestation in a storage area, comprising:

mixing the concentrate formulation of the first or second aspects with

water or a water-containing liquid to obtain a pesticide composition, and

applying the pesticide composition to a material for storage in the

storage area to thereby prevent and/or control the pest infestation,

wherein the material for storage is selected from the group consisting

of grain, fruit, vegetables and timber.

Suitably, the mixing step and the applying step in the method of the

third aspect may utilise any suitable equipment or mode for carrying out

these steps. For example, the mixing step may be carried out by stirring or

agitation, and the applying step may be carried out by spraying,

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" surfactant includes one surfactant, one or more surfactants

and a plurality of surfactants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is an advantage in providing pesticide products in a liquid form

as a concentrate having a relatively high concentration of active ingredient/s

in proportion to other excipients within the formulation and which are stable

in concentrate form but readily dispersible in water or a water-containing

liquid when diluted for use. By way of example, using a concentrate liquid

formulation allows for the treatment of a given volume of produce or target

area (e.g., crop, land, commercial or residential premises etc) with a

reduced amount of the concentrated pesticide product being used. As such,

these concentrated pesticide products afford a broadly better economic

outcome together with reduced costs (e.g., reduced non-active ingredients,

packaging, handling, storage, freight, labour, regulatory licensing and

disposal costs) and less environmental impact (e.g., reduced non-active

ingredients, such as solvents, surfactants, preservatives, anti-oxidants,

dyes and consumption deterrents, and packaging, such as containers,

closures, labels/booklets, pallets and pallet liners/boxes/wrapping).

In addition to the above, providing an emulsifiable concentrate,

emulsion-in-water concentrate, or ULV liquid form of a pesticide product can

further alleviate some or all of the deficiencies of other product formulations

or preparations of the pesticide in question, such as suspensions or

suspoemulsions. To this end, in emulsifiable concentrate formulations,

emulsion-in-water concentrate formulations and ULV liquid formulations,

the active ingredient is not in the solid phase but is dissolved in a liquid phase, and thereby is not subject to settling or physical phase separation of solid from liquid.

The selection of appropriate solvents and other excipients typically

requires careful consideration so as to achieve a passable emulsifiable

concentrate, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid formulation with good stability,

acceptable shelf life and the desired dispersibility of the formulation in water

or a water-containing liquid. However, additional commercial factors also

need to be taken into consideration during product development and when

selecting solvents and other excipients for emulsifiable concentrate,

emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid formulations. These factors may include:

cost of the solvents and excipients and if a cheaper alternative is available

that is of comparable effectiveness; the flash point of the combined solvents

used in the formulation, as products with a closed-cup flash point of less

than 60 0C are classified as flammable liquids and will require specialist (and

hence more expensive) transport or may limit the product container size

(wherein the flash point is commonly known to be defined as the lowest

temperature of a liquid required to generate an ignitable vapor/air mixture);

and any environmental impact of the solvents and excipients.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention advantageously

provides a pesticide formulation comprising deltamethrin that is suitable for

the prevention, control or treatment of a range of pest infestations in an

agricultural, horticultural, industrial or domestic setting. Advantageously, the

pesticide formulations of the present invention include a substantial

proportion (i.e., at least 150 g/L) of petroleum hydrocarbons such a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum) distillate as a solvent, which is toxicologically safer and more cost-effective than other solvents such as benzyl alcohol, and has a beneficial closed-cup flash point of greater than

60 0C, thereby avoiding restrictive class 3 flammable liquids dangerous

goods categorisation.

In one embodiment, formulations described herein may be suitable

for application to stored grains as a protectant against insecticidal attack.

Further, the deltamethrin formulation may be an emulsifiable concentrate,

an emulsion-in-water concentrate or a ULV liquid, particularly an

emulsifiable concentrate.

Accordingly, in one broad form the invention resides in an

emulsifiable concentrate formulation comprising:

deltamethrin;

piperonyl butoxide;

a surfactant; and

a solvent,

wherein the solvent comprises a petroleum hydrocarbon present in

an amount of at least 150 g/L of the total volume of the formulation.

The term "deltamethrin" as used herein refers specifically to the

compound (S)-a-cyano-phenoxybenzyl (1R,3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2

dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (CAS# 52918-63-5). It is understood that

other stereoisomers do not display pesticidal activity, and only the above

isomer is effective.

The term "synergist" as generally used herein refers to an agent that

synergizes the activity of a pesticide or an insecticide, such as a pyrethroid

like deltamethrin. Synergists may include any that are known in the art, such

as, for instance, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), N-octyl bicycloheptene

dicarboximide (MGK-264), piprotal, propyl isome, sesamex, sesamolin,

sulfoxide and inclusive of any analogues or derivatives thereof.

It is well established that the use of synergists such as piperonyl

butoxide (PBO) can enhance pesticidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, fungicidal,

molluscicidal and vermicidal activity in vitro and/or in vivo, by, for example,

inhibiting the activity of certain insect metabolic enzymes involved in

detoxification and resistance or by other mechanisms of action (see, e.g.,

Gunning R.V. et al., "Piperonyl Butoxide", pages 215-225, Academic Press

(1998); Benchaoui H.A. et al. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1996, 48, 753-759; Wen

Z. et al., Pest. Science 1997, 49, 367-371; Zhao J-Z J. Econ. Entomol. 2000,

93,1508-1514; Nishiwaki H. et al., J. Pest. Science 2004, 29,1 10-1 16 and

the patent applications DE 4426942 and EP 617890). By way of example,

piperonyl butoxide is capable of interacting with and inhibiting phase 1

metabolic enzymes, specifically esterases and cytochrome P450.

The addition of a synergist, such as piperonyl butoxide, to the present

pesticide formulation thereby facilitates or potentiates the activity of

deltamethrin and thus advantageously increases the biological

effectiveness thereof, while achieving substantial savings on the effective

treatment cost. It is understood that whilst piperonyl butoxide does not have

any insecticidal activity per se, when used in conjunction with deltamethrin it slows the affected pest's capacity to degrade and eliminate (that is, metabolise) the deltamethrin, thereby amplifying the pesticidal effect of the applied composition, relative to the same amount of deltamethrin applied without a synergist such as piperonyl butoxide.

As will be shown herein, it is understood that the concentrate

formulations of the present invention are stabilized, at least in part, as a

result of the interaction between the surfactant(s) and solvent(s) present

within the formulations. The surfactant(s) and solvent(s) advantageously

and surprisingly provide an end product that achieves and maintains

homogeneity after manufacture and during storage, even at the equivalent

of up to two years of storage under accelerated conditions, even though the

active constituents are at or near their solubility limits. It is understood that,

in some formulations, the synergist may also partially dissolve the

deltamethrin, and/or stabilize the deltamethrin in solution, in combination

with the solvent(s) and surfactant(s).

The solvent of the pesticide formulations herein may comprise one

solvent, or they may comprise two or more solvents. It is understood that at

least one of the solvents of the formulation dissolves at least some of the

pesticidally active deltamethrin. In some embodiments, the solvent may also

dissolve the piperonyl butoxide. In some embodiments, the closed-cup flash

point of the formulation is greater than 600 C. In some embodiments, the

solvent may also comprise water. Each solvent may be aprotic (i.e., they

are unable to donate a hydrogen atom). Each solvent may be polar or it

may be non-polar. In some embodiments, an emulsion may be formed between a polar solvent and a non-polar solvent, or between a polar solvent/water mixture and a non-polar solvent, or between a polar solvent/water mixture and the synergist, or between water and a non-polar solvent. Formulations of the present invention that comprise water as the most abundant component by weight are referred to herein as "emulsion-in water" formulations. Emulsion-in-water formulations described herein can comprise concentrations of deltamethrin that are suitable for use as a concentrate (i.e., that requires at least some dilution with water before application).

The surfactant of the pesticide formulations herein may comprise one

surfactant, or they may comprise two or more surfactants. The surfactant

may be an anionic surfactant, or it may be a non-ionic surfactant. In one

embodiment, the surfactant of the present invention may comprise both an

anionic surfactant and a non-ionic surfactant. It is understood that a

surfactant comprises a hydrophobic portion and hydrophilic portion,

whereby an anionic surfactant has a negative charge on the hydrophilic

portion, and a non-ionic surfactant has no formal charge. Anionic

surfactants are regularly obtained as a salt with a metal cation, such as a

sodium, potassium or calcium salt. It is expected that any surfactant suitable

for use in pesticide formulations generally may be suitable for use in the

formulations of the present invention. Suitable surfactants may be mixtures.

They may be proprietary products.

It is envisaged that the pesticide formulation may take the form of any

suitable liquid formulation known in the art. Exemplary liquid formulations include oil-miscible liquids, ultra-low-volume (ULV) liquids, emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions including oil-in-water and micro-emulsions.

In one particular embodiment, the pesticide formulation is or

comprises an emulsifiable concentrate.

It will be well understood that the term "emulsifiable concentrate

formulation" or "emulsifiable concentrate" (EC) refers to a homogenous

liquid formulation or concentrate of one or more active agents, such as a

pesticide, which, on dilution in water or a water-containing liquid, forms an

emulsion such as a spontaneous milky white emulsion comprising a

dispersed water immiscible phase. By way of example, a water insoluble

active ingredient is typically dissolved in a largely water insoluble solvent

that, upon combination and agitation with water, a water-containing liquid,

or the like, forms an emulsion being a distribution of droplets of the water

insoluble solvent and active ingredient amongst a water matrix stabilised by

surfactants. The term "emulsion", as used herein, refers to a fine dispersion

of minute droplets of one liquid in another in which it is not soluble or

miscible and includes microemulsions and macroemulsions.

It will also be well understood to the skilled person that the term "ultra

low volume liquid", or "ULV liquid" as used herein refers to a liquid

formulation that is suitable for direct use without further dilution or

combination with other liquids. Use of ULV liquids is characterised by the

low volume of the liquid formulation to be delivered to a relatively broad

area. As such, ULV liquids typically require specific application equipment

to facilitate delivery of the liquid to the target area. Such equipment can range from small handheld devices to aircraft-mounted machinery. An example of suitable equipment for applying a ULV liquid is a fogging machine, which converts ULV liquid formulations into fine particulates or mist. This is achieved via high power, low pressure gas streams (most commonly air) coupled with specialist nozzles. The resulting fine droplets formed by a fogging machine can cover a relatively large target area per unit volume of ULV liquid delivered, compared to other liquid formulations.

In addition to the active ingredient and a solvent system in which the active

is very soluble, ULV products often contain surface-active agents and drift

control substances. Advantages of ULV products include:

• High concentration leads to low material-handling requirements,

• Easy to transport and to use; no dilution is required,

• Optimum biological activity enabled for active ingredient, and

• Good penetration of foliage and into less accessible areas.

In one aspect, the invention provides an emulsifiable concentrate

formulation, wherein:

the deltamethrin is present at a concentration of at least about 10 g/L

of the total weight of the formulation;

the piperonyl butoxide is present at a concentration of at least about

50 g/L of the total weight of the formulation;

the surfactant is selected from a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic

surfactant or a mixture thereof, and is present in an amount of at least 20

g/L; and

wherein the solvent comprises a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha

(petroleum) present in an amount of at least 250 g/L of the total volume of

the formulation and does not comprise benzyl alcohol.

In a related aspect, the invention provides an emulsifiable

concentrate formulation, wherein:

the deltamethrin is present in an amount between about 10 g/L to

about 75 g/L; and/or

the piperonyl butoxide is present in an amount between about 50 g/L

to about 500 g/L; and/or

the surfactant is an alkylbenzene sulphonate, an alkoxylated styryl

phenol, or a mixture thereof and is present at a total concentration surfactant

of between about 20 g/L and 150 g/L; and/or

the solvent further comprises N-methyl-pyrrolidone; and/or

the solvent is present in a total amount ranging between about 350

g/L to about 800 g/L of the total volume of the formulation.

In another aspect, the invention provides an emulsifiable

concentrate, comprising:

deltamethrin at a concentration of at least about 50 g/L;

piperonyl butoxide at a concentration of at least about 400 g/L;

a non-ionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylated tristyryl phenol;

an anionic surfactant comprising a calcium salt of an alkylbenzene

sulfonate; and

a solvent comprising a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum)

and wherein the solvent does not comprise benzyl alcohol.

By "emulsion-in-water" as used herein, it is meant that the pesticide formulation is a homogeneous liquid formulation of active agents, such as pesticides. An emulsion-in-water pesticide formulation comprises a water immiscible phase in which the active agents are dissolved, which is dispersed throughout a water-containing matrix. In other words, it is understood that such formulations comprise an oily organic phase dispersed as small droplets throughout a bulk water-containing, or aqueous, phase. An alternate term for an emulsion-in-water formulation may be an oil-in-water formulation. Such formulations of the present invention may be in concentrate form (i.e., comprising a high enough concentration of deltamethrin that requires dilution before application).

The statements which follow apply equally to the aforementioned

aspects of the invention.

For the present invention, deltamethrin is suitably present in a

concentration (e.g., at least about 10 g/L) that provides a concentrated

pesticide formulation, such as an emulsifiable concentrate formulation, an

emulsion-in-water concentrate or a ULV liquid, suitable for use in the

effective prevention, control and/or treatment of a pest infestation.

In relation to liquid pesticide formulations, such as emulsifiable

concentrate formulations, emulsion-in-water concentrate formulations or

ULV liquid formulations, deltamethrin may be present in an amount from

about 10 g/L to about 75 g/L or any range therein such as, but not limited

to, about 20 g/L to about 50 g/L, about 10 g/L to about 60 g/L, about 15 g/L

to about 25 g/L, or about 25 g/L to about 40 g/L of the liquid pesticide

formulation. In particular embodiments of the present invention, deltamethrin is present in an amount of about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,

18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,

38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 g/L, or

any range therein, of the liquid pesticide formulation. In certain

embodiments of the present invention, deltamethrin is present in an amount

of about 19 g/L to about 50 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation.

Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is a well-known pesticide synergist that can

enhance the potency of certain pesticides, such as carbamates, pyrethrins,

pyrethroids, diphenyl oxazolines, thiazolidines, organophosphates and

rotenone. An analogue or derivative of piperonyl butoxide may be any as

are known in the art and include, for example, a range of additional side

chains and moieties (e.g., alkyl side chains, alkynyl side chains). Examples

of piperonyl butoxide analogues are described in Panini et al., Pest

Management Science, 2017, v73(2); 371-379 and Philippou et al. (2010),

Imperial College London, PhD Thesis (Thesis:519289), which are

incorporated by reference herein. Suitably, the piperonyl butoxide analogue

or derivative retains at least partly the synergist activity of PBO.

In relation to liquid pesticide formulations, such as emulsion-in-water

concentrate formulations, emulsifiable concentrate formulations or ULV

liquid formulations, the synergist (e.g., piperonyl butoxide) may be present

in an amount from about 50 g/L to about 500 g/L or any range therein such

as, but not limited to, about 75 g/L to about 300 g/L, about 100 g/L to about

450 g/L, or about 200 g/L to about 400 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, piperonyl butoxide is present in an amount of about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100,

105,110,115,120,125,130,135,140,145,150,155,160,165,170,175,

180,185,190,195,200,205,210,215,220,225,230,235,240,245,250,

255,260,265,270,275,280,285,290,295,300,305,310,315,320,325,

330,335,340,345,350,355,360,365,370,375,380,385,390,395,400,

405,410,415,420,425,430,435,440,445,450,455,460,465,470,475,

480, 485, 490, 495, 500 g/L, or any range therein, of the liquid pesticide

formulation. In certain embodiments of the present invention, piperonyl

butoxide is present in an amount of about 150 g/L to about 400 g/L of the

liquid pesticide formulation. In other embodiments, piperonyl butoxide is

present at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L, preferably at least about

200 g/L, or more preferably at least about 300 g/L of the total weight of the

formulation. The ratio of the total amount of deltamethrin to synergist (e.g.,

piperonyl butoxide) may be between about 1:1 and about 1:20 or any range

therein, such as between 1:1 and 1:15, or it may be about 1:1, 1:1.1, 1:1.2,

1:1.3, 1:1.4, 1:1.5, 1:1.6, 1:1.7, 1:1.8, 1:1.9, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8,

1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20 or any

range therein in the liquid pesticide formulation. In certain embodiments of

the present invention, the ratio deltamethrin to synergist (e.g. piperonyl

butoxide) may be between 1:5 and 20:1, or more preferably be about 1:8.

The term "solvent" refers to any liquid capable of maintaining another

substance in solution. The solvent may comprise a petroleum derivative or

hydrocarbon, such as a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum) (e.g.,

Recosol 150 or Recosol 200), a carboxamide having an amidoalkyl structure (i.e., R-CO-NR'R" structure wherein R, R'and R" are independent an organic moiety or hydrogen) inclusive of lactams and pyrrolidones, such as N-substituted pyrrolidones (e.g., N-methyl pyrrolidone, N butylpyrrolidone and N-octylpyrrolidone), N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N dimethylacetamide, an acetic acid C6-C8 branched alkyl ester (including the material sold under the trade name Exxate 700), a ketone inclusive of cyclic ketones, aromatic ketones, alkylketones (e.g., isophorone) and arylketones

(e.g., acetophenone), a benzoate, inclusive of alkyl benzoates (e.g., methyl

benzoate, ethyl benzoate), cyclohexanone, acetone, glycols, inclusive of

glycol ethers such as diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (including the

material sold under the trade name Carbitol), ethylene glycol monobutyl

ethers (including the material sold under the trade name Butyl Glysolv),

propylene glycol monomethyl ether (including the material sold under the

trade name Glysolv PM), methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, decanol and

paraffins.

In one particular embodiment, the solvent is a petroleum derivative.

More particularly, the solvent is a heavy aromatic hydrocarbon. Even more

particularly, the solvent is a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum),

(e.g., Recosol 150 or Recosol 200). In some embodiments, the solvent may

comprise a pyrrolidone, such as N-methyl pyrrolidone.

Such solvents may be used in isolation or in combination as a mixture

of two, three, four, five or more solvents. In one particular embodiment, the

solvent comprises first and second solvents. It will be appreciated that the

first and second solvents may be or comprise any solvent known in the art, including water.

For the present aspect, the ratio of the first solvent to the second

solvent may suitably be between 1 and 300 parts of the first solvent, and

about 1 part of the second solvent. For example, the ratio may be about

300:1, 295:1, 290:1, 285:1, 280:1, 275:1. 270:1, 265:1, 260:1, 255:1, 250:1,

245:1, 240:1, 235:1, 230:1, 225:1, 220:1, 215:1, 210:1, 205:1, 200:1, 195:1,

190:1, 185:1, 180:1, 175:1, 170:1, 165:1, 160:1, 155:1, 150:1, 145:1, 140:1,

135:1, 130:1, 125:1, 120:1, 115:1, 110:1, 105:1, 100:1, 95:1, 90:1, 85:1,

80:1, 75:1, 70:1, 65:1, 60:1, 55:1, 50:1, 45:1, 40:1, 35:1, 30:1, 25:1, 20:1,

19:1, 18:1, 17:1, 16:1, 15:1, 14:1, 13:1, 12:1, 11:1, 10:1, 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1,

5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1 and any range therein. In one preferred embodiment,

the ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent is in the range of about

150:1 to about 270:1.

For the above aspects, the solvent of a liquid pesticide formulation,

including an emulsifiable concentrate formulation, a ULV liquid formulation

and an emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation, of the present invention,

may be present in a total amount from about 300 g/L to about 800 g/L or

any range therein such as, but not limited to, about 350 g/L to about 750

g/L, about 500 g/L to about 650 g/L, or about 400 g/L to about 550 g/L of

the liquid pesticide formulation. In particular embodiments of the present

invention, the solvent is present in an amount of about 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 g/L, or any range therein, of the liquid pesticide formulation. In

certain embodiments of the present invention, the solvent is present in an

amount of at least about 350 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation. More

particularly, the solvent is present in an amount ranging between about 395

g/L to about 775 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation.

Further to the above, the solvent provided herein is preferably an

agriculturally acceptable solvent. The term "agriculturally acceptable

solvent" as used herein refers to a solvent that is not unacceptably

damaging to a plant and/or its environment, and/or not unsafe to the user or

others that may be exposed to the solvent when used as described herein.

As used herein, the term "surfactant" or surface-active agent refers

to an agent, usually an organic chemical compound that is at least partially

amphiphilic (i.e., typically containing a hydrophobic tail group and

hydrophilic polar head group). Given their structure, surfactants are

generally capable of lowering the surface tension (or interfacial tension)

between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. Further to this, these

properties typically allow solubility of the surfactant in organic solvents as

well as in water, and allow the surfactant to promote solubilization or at least

dispersal of fatty/waxy materials in water and water-containing solutions. In

this regard, a surfactant may act as a detergent, a wetting agent, an

emulsifying agent, a foaming agent, a solubilising agent and/or a dispersing

agent.

Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the surfactant is or

comprises an emulsifying agent. As generally used herein, the term

"emulsifying agent" or "emulsifier" refers to a chemical agent, compound, or

substance capable of producing an emulsion by reducing the interfacial

tension between the two insoluble liquids. In some embodiments, the

surfactant may be a solubilising agent and act as a solvent in the

formulations described herein. In such embodiments, the surfactant may

replace at least a portion of the solvent required to form a stable formulation.

In some embodiments, the surfactant may replace a substantial portion of

solvent, or it may replace all of the solvent (e.g., the formulation may

comprise minimal or no solvent).

Similar to that for the solvents provided above, the surfactant

provided herein is preferably an agriculturally acceptable surfactant. The

term "agriculturally acceptable surfactant" as used herein refers to a

surfactant that is not unacceptably damaging to a plant and/or its

environment, and/or not unsafe to the user or others that may be exposed

to the surfactant when used as described herein.

The surfactant, including one or a plurality of surfactants (e.g., 1, 2,

3, 4, 5 etc. surfactants), are suitably present in a high enough concentration

that allows for the production of a pesticide formulation comprising

deltamethrin, such as an emulsifiable concentrate formulation, or ULV liquid

formulation, or an emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation. In this regard,

it will be apparent that an amount of the surfactant of the pesticide

formulation can vary, for example, depending on the specific form of the

pesticide formulation (e.g., liquid or solid formulation), the particular active

ingredient and/or synergist concentration(s) and the particular surfactant to be included therein.

With regard to liquid pesticide formulations, such as emulsifiable

concentrate formulations, ULV liquid formulations or emulsion-in-water

formulations, the surfactant may be present in a total amount of surfactant

from about 20 g/L to about 150 g/L or any range therein such as, but not

limited to, about 25 g/L to about 100 g/L, or about 30 g/L to about 75 g/L

thereof. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the surfactant

is present in an amount of about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70,

75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150

g/L, or any range therein, of the liquid pesticide formulation. In certain

embodiments of the present invention, the surfactant is present in an

amount of at least about 25 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation. More

preferably, the surfactant is present in an amount ranging between about

30 g/L to about 125 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation.

For the present invention, the surfactant is suitably selected from the

group consisting of non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic

surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, cation-anion composite surfactants

and any combination thereof. Suitable non-ionic surfactants may include an

alkoxylated styryl phenol, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene

alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ethers,

polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters,

polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, sorbitan alkyl esters,

higher fatty acid alkanolamides and any combination thereof. Suitable

cationic surfactants may include alkylbenzene sulphonate salts, alkylamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts and combinations thereof. Further, suitable anionic surfactants may include naphthalenesulfonic acid polycondensate, alkenylsulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, formalin condensate of a naphthalenesulfonate, formadehyde condensate of an alkylnaphthalenesulfonate, lignin sulfonate, alkylarylsulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate sulfate, polystyrene sulfonate, polycarboxylate, polyoxyethylenealkyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylenealkylaryl ether sulfate, alkylsulfosuccinate, alkyl sulfate, alkyl ether sulfonate, a higher fatty acid alkali salt and any combination thereof.

In certain preferred embodiments, the one or more surfactants to be

included in the pesticide formulation, including the emulsifiable concentrate

formulation described herein, the ULV liquid described herein or the

emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation, may comprise an anionic

surfactant. As generally used herein, the term "anionic surfactant" refers to

a surfactant comprising, as ionic or ionizable groups, only anionic groups.

Such anionic groups may include, for example, -CO2H, -C02-, -SO3H,

S03-, -OSO3H, -OS03-, -H2PO3, -HP03-, -P03 2 -, -H2PO2, =HPO2, -HP02-,

=P02-, =POH, and =PO- groups. Suitable anionic surfactants may include

those hereinbefore described. Such anionic surfactants may be used alone

or in combination as a mixture of two, three, four, five or more anionic

surfactants. In certain embodiments, the one or more surfactants to be

included in the pesticide formulation, including the emulsifiable concentrate

formulation described herein or the ULV liquid formulation described herein

or the emulsion-in-water formulations described herein, may comprise a non-ionic surfactant. As generally used herein, the term "non-ionic surfactant" refers to a surfactant that does not contain or comprise an ionic or ionizable group. Suitable non-ionic surfactants may include those hereinbefore described. Such non-ionic surfactants may be used alone or in combination as a mixture of two, three, four, five or more non-ionic surfactants. In certain embodiments, the surfactant may comprise a combination of one or more anionic surfactant and one or more non-ionic surfactant. In such embodiments, the ratio by weight of total anionic surfactant to total non-ionic surfactant may be between about 10:1 and about 1:10, or between 5:1 and 1:15, or between 5:1 and 1:5, or between

3:1 and 1:1, or between 2:1 and 1:2, or between 2:1 and 1:3, or about 1:1

or any range therein, or it may be about 10:1, 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1,

2.9:1, 2.8:1, 2.7:1, 2.6:1, 2.5:1, 2.4:1, 2.3:1, 2.2:1, 2.1:1, 2:1, 1.9:1, 1.8:1,

1.7:1, 1.6:1, 1.5:1, 1.4:1, 1.3:1, 1.2:1, 1.1:1, 1:1, 1:1.1, 1:1.2, 1:1.3, 1:1.4:,

1:1.5, 1:1.6, 1:1.7, 1:1.8, 1:1.9, 1:2, 1:2.1, 1:2.2, 1:2.3, 1:2.4, 1:2.5, 1:2.6,

1:2.7, 1:2.8, 1:2.9, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, or any range therein,

in the liquid pesticide formulation.

It will be appreciated that the surfactant may be any suitable

surfactant known in the art. Exemplary surfactants include an alkylphenol

alkoxylate (e.g., Termul 200), a polyoxyalkylene ether (e.g., Termul 203), an

alkoxylated oil (e.g., -54 x ethoxylated (e.g., Termul 1285)), an alkylphenol

alkoxylate (e.g., -10 x ethoxylated (e.g., TericN10)), an alkoxylated alcohol

(Alcohol C12 - C15, -23 x ethoxylated (e.g. Teric 12A23); Alcohol C12, -3

x ethoxylated (e.g. Surfactant 12A3)), an alkoxylated polyaryl phenol (e.g.,

Tristyryl Phenol, -16 x ethoxylated (e.g. TSP15), Termul 3150), an

alkoxylated block co-polymer (Ethoxylate-Propoxylate copolymer (e.g. Teric

PE64)), an alkylbenzenesulphonate (e.g., Calcium C10-16 alkylbenzyl

sulphonate, branched or linear chain in solvent (e.g. Ninate 60E, NANSA

EVM70/2E, Kemmat HF60)), an alcohol ether sulphate (e.g. Toximul TANS

5), an alkylamine ethoxylate (e.g. Toximul TAABS-5), a silicone polymer,

inclusive of polysiloxanes (e.g., Evonik Break-Thru OE 446, Evonik Break

Thru AF 9903, Jiangxi Tiansheng QS-302) and silicone glycol copolymers

(e.g., Xiameter OFX-5211), a block co-polymer (e.g., Teric PE64), an

alkoxylated nonylphenol (e.g., Teric N10), an alkoxylated alcohol (e.g., Teric

BL8), an alkyl polyglucoside (e.g., Croda AL-2575), an ethoxylate

propoxylate copolymer, a C10-16 alkylbenzenesulphonate (branched or

linear in solvent), a branched alcohol ether sulphate, a tallowamine

alkoxylated salt, and a mineral oil (e.g., Rhodoline DF5888).

In particular embodiments, the surfactant is selected from the group

consisting of an alkylphenol alkoxylate (e.g., Termul 200), a polyoxyalkylene

ether (e.g., Termul 203), an alkylbenzenesulphonate (e.g., Ninate 60E,

NANSA EVM70/2E, Kemmat HF60), an alkoxylated styryl phenol (e.g.,

alkoxylated monostyryl phenols, alkoxylated distyryl phenols, alkoxylated

tristyryl phenols, such as Termul 3150), an alkoxylated oil, such as an

alkoxylated vegetable oil (e.g., Termul 1284 and Termul 1285) and any

combination thereof.

More particularly, the surfactant can be selected from the group

consisting of an ethoxylated tristyryl phenol (e.g., Termul 3150) and calcium

C10-16 alkylbenzyl sulphonate (branched or linear chain in solvent) (e.g.,

Ninate 60E, NANSA EVM70/2E, Kemmat HF60) or a combination thereof.

In particular embodiments, the ratio by weight of the total amount of

solvent to the total amount of surfactant may be between about 20:1 and

about 1:1, or between about 15:1 and about 3:1, or between about 10:1 and

about 5:1 or any range therein, or it may be about 20:1, 19:1, 18:1, 17:1,

16:1, 15:1, 14:1, 13:1, 12:1, 11:1, 10:1, 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4.9:1, 4.8:1,

4.7:1, 4.6:1, 4.5:1, 4.4:1, 4.3:1, 4.2:1, 4.1:1, 4:1, 3.9:1, 3.8:1, 3.7:1, 3.6:1,

3.5:1, 3.4:1, 3.3:1. 3.2:1, 3.1:1. 3:1, 2:1, 1:1 or any range therein. In

particular embodiments, the ratio of solvent to surfactant may be between

about 3:1 and about 15:1, or between about 4:1 and about 6:1.

It will be apparent in light of the foregoing that one or more

surfactants may be introduced into the formulation of the invention as a

soluble concentration in a further solvent (e.g., calcium dodecylbenzene

sulfonate in ethyl hexanol) and the latter may equate, for example, to

amounts up to about 10 g/L to about 25 g/L or more of the formulation. Given

the above, it will be appreciated that such amounts of the further solvent

may make little or no contribution to the solvency of active ingredients within

the formulation of the invention.

One or more additional auxiliary agents, such as adjuvants,

preservatives, colouring agents (e.g., dyes), odourants, embittering agents

and other deterrents and the like, as are known in the art, can also be added

where desired to modify the properties of the pesticide formulation, including

the emulsifiable concentrate formulation, emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation and the ULV liquid formulation as required.

It will be understood that it is desirable for liquid forms of the pesticide

formulation, including the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV liquid

formulation or emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation, provided herein

to be readily or easily pumped or poured from a storage vessel. Preferably,

the liquid pesticide formulation has a viscosity at room temperature (i.e.,

20 0C) of no more than 2000 cPs (e.g., 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200,

300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500,

1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000 cPs and any range therein), as viscosities

above this typically make it difficult or impractical to pump or pour the

formulation. Preferably, the liquid pesticide formulation of the invention has

a viscosity at room temperature of about or less than 400 cPs.

With respect to the aforementioned aspect of preparing pesticide

formulation of deltamethrin, it will be appreciated that this method may be

performed using methods and commercially available equipment, such as

formulation vessels and the like, known in the art.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in a method of preventing

and/or controlling a pest infestation in a storage area, comprising: mixing

the concentrate formulation described above with water or a water

containing liquid to obtain a pesticide composition, and applying the

pesticide composition to a material for storage in the storage area to thereby

prevent and/or control the pest infestation. The material for storage may be

selected from the group consisting of grain, fruit, vegetables and timber.

Suitably, the method of this aspect includes the initial step of mixing the pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation, the

ULV liquid formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation with

water or the water-containing liquid.

The terms "treat", "treating" and "treatment" are broadly intended to

include preventing or controlling a pest infestation. Treating the pest

infestation preferably results in at least maintaining, more preferably

maintaining or reducing, and even more preferably reducing the degree or

severity of the pest infestation in a target area. In one embodiment,

treatment with the pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate

formulation or the ULV liquid or the emulsion-in-water formulation provided

herein is able to substantially eradicate an existing pest infestation.

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

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

formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation described herein)

initiated prior to the onset of a symptom, aspect, or characteristic of the pest

infestation (e.g., plant or crop damage, including stored crops or timber, or

animal irritation) 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, animal, stored material or the

like.

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

refers to an intervention with the pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable

concentrate formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation or

the ULV liquid formulation that reduces or ameliorates a symptom, aspect, or characteristic of the pest infestation after it has begun to develop. The term "ameliorating", with reference to a pest infestation, refers to any observable beneficial effect thereto as a result of the administration of the pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulations or the ULV liquid formulation.

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., pesticidal) or inhibitory (i.e., pestistatic) activities

of the pesticide formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate

formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or the ULV liquid

formulation 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 pest

infestation is needed or expected to be needed. A "target area' may include

a "storage area".

As used herein, the terms "effective amount", "pesticidally effective

amount" and "insecticidally effective amount" refer to an amount of the

pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV

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

eradication of the pest infestation. By way of example, an effective amount

means an amount necessary to produce an observable pesticidal and/or

pestistatic effect on unwanted pests (e.g., insects), 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 pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in water concentrate formulation of the invention may vary according to the prevailing conditions such as desired pesticidal and/or pestistatic effect and duration, weather, target species, habitat, mode of application, and the like.

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

pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV

liquid formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation 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 pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable

concentrate formulation or ULV liquid formulation or the emulsion-in-water

concentrate formulation of the present invention may be monitored by

determining the mortality of or adverse effect upon treated pests (e.g.,

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 pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV liquid formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation is preferably determined by routine screening procedures employed to evaluate pesticidal activity and efficacy, such as those methods well known in the art.

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

formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation or the

emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV liquid formulation described

herein is preferably administered to the target area or locus of the pest

infestation. By way of example, to prevent or control pest-related damage

to grain in storage, an effective amount of a pesticide formulation (including

an emulsion-in-water formulation) or an emulsifiable concentrate

formulation or ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in-water concentrate

formulation comprising deltamethrin is administered to the storage area, or

to the grain before or during storage in the storage area. As such, a pest,

and in particular insects, can be readily contacted with an effective amount

of the pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation or

ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in-water formulations of the invention.

The pest infestation to be prevented and/or controlled by the method

of the present aspect may be in respect of any pest, and more particularly

any insect or insects, as are well known in the art. Nonlimiting examples of

pests, and in particular insects, that may be treated by application of the

pesticide formulation of the invention include grasshoppers, locusts,

earwigs, crickets, millipedes, slaters, ants, aphids, flies, mites, ticks,

beetles, bugs, moths, springtails, caterpillars, loopers, bruchids, fleas, mealybugs, midges, thrips, weevils, termites, butterflies and cockroaches, which can cause significant damage to, for example, a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops, plants, animals and products.

In specific embodiments, the pest or pest infestation to be targeted,

prevented and/or controlled by the method for the present aspect include,

for example, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Lepidoptera, Muscidae, Anopheles,

Noctuidae, Heteroptera, Thysanoptera, Blattodea, Culicidae, Acrididae,

Tabanidae and Ixodidae spp. These pests can attack a wide variety of

horticultural crops, including citrus (for example, lemon, orange, grapefruit

and the like), cotton, grapes, maize, canola and soya beans; harvested and

stored horticultural products such as cereals, grains and timber; and

agricultural animals, such as cattle, sheep and pigs. In a particular

embodiment, the pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate

formulation or ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in-water concentration

formulation of the invention are to be applied to stored grain in order to

target, prevent and/or control grain storage pests, including Saw-toothed

Grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis), Flat Grain Beetles (Cryptolestes

spp.), Lesser Grain Borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), Tropical Warehouse

Moth (Ephestia cautella), Rust-red Flour Beetle (Tribolium castaneum),

Confused Four Beetle (Tribolium confusum) Rice Weevil (Sitophilus

oryzae), Granary Weevil (Sitophilus granarius) and Maize Weevil (Sitophilus

zeamais).

The pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation

or ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in-water concentration formulation of the invention may be applied to the target crop, plant, product or animal of interest, to a part thereof (such as the leaf or seed, stored grain or timber, or animal skin), or to surroundings thereof. Methods and techniques for applying the emulsifiable concentrate formulation, the ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation are known in the art and may include, for example, ground or aerial spraying after dilution in water or a water-containing liquid.

In one embodiment, liquid forms of the pesticide formulation or the

emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV liquid formulation or the

emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation are applied at a rate of about 250

to 3750 mL per hectare (e.g., about 250mL, 255mL, 260mL, 265mL, 270mL,

275mL, 280mL, 285mL, 290mL, 295mL, 300mL, 305mL, 310mL, 315mL,

320mL, 325mL, 330mL, 335mL, 340mL, 345mL, 350mL, 355mL, 360mL,

365mL, 370mL, 375mL, 380mL, 385mL, 390mL, 395mL, 400mL, 405mL,

410mL, 415mL, 420mL, 425mL, 430mL, 435mL, 440mL, 445mL, 450mL,

455mL, 460mL, 465mL, 470mL, 475mL, 480mL, 485mL, 490mL, 495mL,

500mL, 510mL, 520mL, 530mL, 540mL, 550mL, 560mL, 570mL, 580mL,

590mL, 600mL, 620mL, 640mL, 660mL, 680mL, 700mL, 720mL, 740mL,

760mL, 780mL, 800mL, 820mL, 840mL, 860mL, 880mL, 900mL, 920mL,

940mL, 960mL, 980mL, 1000mL, 1025mL, 1050mL, 1075mL, and 1100mL,

1150mL, 1200mL, 1250mL, 1300mL, 1350mL, 1400mL, 1450mL, 1500mL,

1600mL, 1700mL, 1800mL, 1900mL, 2000mL, 2100mL, 2200mL, 2300mL,

2400mL, 2500mL, 2600mL, 2700mL, 2800mL, 2900mL, 3000mL, 3250mL,

3500mL, 3750mL per hectare and any range therein) and more preferably at a rate of about 250mL to about 750mL per hectare subsequent to dilution thereof in a suitable spray liquid.

The pesticide formulation or the emulsifiable concentrate formulation

or ULV liquid formulation or emulsion-in-water concentration formulation of

the invention may also be applied to harvested grain before storage, in order

to obtain treated grain to be stored. Methods and techniques for applying

the emulsifiable concentrate formulation, the ULV liquid formulation or

emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation are known in the art and may

include, for example, spraying.

In one embodiment, liquid forms of the pesticide formulation or the

emulsifiable concentrate formulation or ULV liquid formulation or the

emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation are applied at a rate of about

1OmL to about 1L per tonne of grain (e.g., about 1OmL, 15mL, 20mL, 25mL,

30mL, 35mL, 40mL, 45mL, 50mL, 55mL, 60mL, 65mL, 70mL, 75mL, 80mL,

85mL, 90mL, 95mL, 100mL, 105mL, 110mL, 115mL, 120mL, 125mL,

130mL, 135mL, 140mL, 145mL, 150mL, 155mL, 160mL, 165mL, 170mL,

175mL, 180mL, 185mL, 190mL, 195mL, 200mL, 205mL, 210mL, 215mL,

220mL, 225mL, 230mL, 235mL, 240mL, 245mL, 250mL, 255mL, 260mL,

265mL, 270mL, 275mL, 280mL, 285mL, 290mL, 295mL, 300mL, 305mL,

310mL, 315mL, 320mL, 325mL, 330mL, 335mL, 340mL, 345mL, 350mL,

355mL, 360mL, 365mL, 370mL, 375mL, 380mL, 385mL, 390mL, 395mL,

400mL, 405mL, 410mL, 415mL, 420mL, 425mL, 430mL, 435mL, 440mL,

445mL, 450mL, 455mL, 460mL, 465mL, 470mL, 475mL, 480mL, 485mL,

490mL, 495mL, 500mL, 510mL, 520mL, 530mL, 540mL, 550mL, 560mL,

570mL, 580mL, 590mL, 600mL, 620mL, 640mL, 660mL, 680mL, 700mL,

720mL, 740mL, 760mL, 780mL, 800mL, 820mL, 840mL, 860mL, 880mL,

900mL, 920mL, 940mL, 960mL, 980mL, or 1000mL per tonne and any

range therein). In one embodiment, the emulsifiable concentrate formulation

or ULV liquid formulation or the emulsion-in-water concentrate formulation

is applied at a rate of about 40mL per tonne of grain, applied before storage

of the grain.

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.

With respect to the terms "comprising", "consisting of', and

"consisting essentially of", where one of these three terms is used herein,

the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of

either of the other two terms. Thus, in some embodiments not otherwise

explicitly recited, any instance of "comprising" may be replaced by

"consisting of' or, alternatively, by "consisting essentially of".

In the foregoing paragraphs, various ratios of components have been

disclosed. It will be appreciated that the following ratios of components can

be combined in any disclosed combination, namely:

* the ratio of total active ingredient (i.e., total weight of deltamethrin) to

piperonyl butoxide may be between about 1:1 and about 1:20 or any

range therein, and

• the ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent (when present) may

be between about 1:1 and about 1:300 or any range therein, and

• the ratio of the total anionic surfactant to total non-ionic surfactant

may be between about 10:1 and about 1:10 or any range therein, and

• the ratio by weight of the total amount of solvent to the total amount

of surfactant may be between about 20:1 and about 1:1 or any range

therein.

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: Embodiments of Emulsifiable Concentrate

Formulations Comprising Deltamethrin

A number of embodiments of emulsifiable concentrate formulations across

a range of deltamethrin concentrations, a range of overall deltamethrin and

piperonyl butoxide concentrations/proportions, and a range of solvents and

surfactants are provided below.

Embodiment 1 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 50g/L

deltamethrin and 400g/L piperonyl butoxide. The concentrate is produced

as below in Table 1 and, as shown in Table 2, has been determined via

assay as having: 1) adequate active ingredient concentration, even after

accelerated aging; 2) acceptable emulsion properties upon dilution in

water prior to application; and 3) physical and chemical stability at the

point of manufacturing and again after accelerated aging to approximately

two years of shelf life.

Composition of embodiment 1 is as follows in Table 1:

Table 1:

Ingredient Role Concentration Deltamethrin Active 51.0g/L (CAS# 52918-63-5, Technical material, ingredient (yields 50.1g/L 98.2%) insecticide deltamethrin) Piperonyl butoxide Insecticidal 426.Og/L (CAS# 51-03-6, Technical material, synergist (yields 404.3g/L 94.0%) piperonyl butoxide) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate Surfactant 88.2g/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 37.8g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 394.Og/L aromatic (to 997g/L total) (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 150)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 1 is as follows in Table

2:

Table 2:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Yellow to brown Yellow to brown liquid liquid Assay: 51.7g/L 53.6g/L Require 45.0g/L deltamethrin< 55.0g/L Assay: 400.0g/L 403.2g/L Require 380g/L: piperonyl butoxide 5 420g/L pH1% 6.6 6.5 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 9mL 5mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics Trace of cream; Trace of cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, No oil; No oil; !trace of oil after 30 min and Re- Re-emulsifies/24h complete re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 2 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 50 g/L

deltamethrin and 400 g/L piperonyl butoxide. The concentrate is produced

as below in Table 3 and, as shown in Table 4, has been determined via

assay as having: 1) adequate active ingredient concentration, even after

accelerated aging; 2) acceptable emulsion and dispersion properties upon

dilution in water prior to application; and 3) physical and chemical stability

at the point of manufacturing and again after accelerated aging to

approximate two years of shelf life.

Composition of embodiment 2 is as follows in Table 3:

Table 3:

Ingredient Role Concentration Deltamethrin Active 51.0g/L (CAS# 52918-63-5, Technical material, ingredient (yields 50.1g/L 98.2%) insecticide deltamethrin) Piperonyl butoxide Insecticidal 435.0g/L (CAS# 51-03-6, Technical material, synergist (yields 400.2g/L 92.0%) piperonyl butoxide) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate Surfactant 11.3g/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 20.3g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 467.7g/L aromatic (to 985g/L total) (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 150)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 2 is as follows in Table

4:

Table 4:

Test As Accelerated Aged manufactured Result Presentation: Yellow to Yellow to brown brown liquid liquid Assay: 51.6g/L 49.1g/L Require 45.0g/L deltamethrin< 55.Og/L Assay: 399.2g/L 393.5g/L Require 380g/L piperonyl butoxide 420g/L pH1% 6.7 6.9 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 1mL OmL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics No cream; Trace of cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, No oil; Trace of oil; trace of oil after 30 min and complete Re- Re-emulsifies/24h re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 3 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 50g/L

deltamethrin and 400g/L piperonyl butoxide piperonyl butoxide. The

concentrate is produced as below in Table 5 and, as shown in Table 6,

has been determined via assay as having: 1) adequate active ingredient

concentration, even after accelerated aging; 2) acceptable emulsion and

dispersion properties upon dilution in water prior to application; and 3)

physical and chemical stability at the point of manufacturing and again

after accelerated aging to approximate two years of shelf life.

Composition of embodiment 3 is as follows in Table 5:

Table 5:

Ingredient Role Concentration Deltamethrin Active 51.0g/L (CAS# 52918-63-5, Technical material, ingredient (yields 50.1g/L 98.2%) insecticide deltamethrin) Piperonyl butoxide Insecticidal 430.5g/L (CAS# 51-03-6, Technical material, synergist (yields 396.1g/L 92.0%) piperonyl butoxide) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate Surfactant 49.8g/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 29.0g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 430.8g/L aromatic (to 991g/L total) (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 150)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 3 is as follows in Table

6:

Table 6:

Test As Accelerated manufactured Aged Result Presentation: Yellow to brown Yellow to brown liquid liquid Assay: 51.6g/L 51.3g/L Require 45.Og/L deltamethrin< 55.0g/L Assay: 399.6g/L 398.4g/L Require 380g/L piperonyl butoxide 420g/L pH1% 6.6 6.7 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 5mL 2mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics Trace of cream; Trace of cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, No oil; Trace of oil; trace of oil after 30 min and complete Re- Re re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 4 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 25g/L

deltamethrin and 200g/L piperonyl butoxide. The concentrate is produced

as below in Table 7 and, as shown in Table 8, has been determined via

assay as having: 1) adequate active ingredient concentration, even after

accelerated aging; 2) acceptable emulsion and dispersion properties upon

dilution in water prior to application; and 3) physical and chemical stability

at the point of manufacturing and again after accelerated aging to

approximate two years of shelf life.

Composition of embodiment 4 is as follows in Table 7:

Table 7:

Ingredient Role Concentration Deltamethrin Active 25.6g/L (CAS# 52918-63-5, Technical material, ingredient (yields 25.1g/L 98.2%) insecticide deltamethrin) Piperonyl butoxide Insecticidal 217.Og/L (CAS# 51-03-6, Technical material, synergist (yields 199.6g/L 92.0%) piperonyl butoxide) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate Surfactant 88.1g/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium Surfactant 38.2g/L salt in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584 23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 589.8g/L aromatic (to 959g/L total) (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 150)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 4 is as follows in Table

8:

Table 8:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Yellow to brown Yellow to brown liquid liquid Assay: 26.6g/L 25.2g/L Require 21.3g/L:5 deltamethrin< 28.7g/L Assay: 197.8g/L 192.8g/L Require 188g/L piperonyl butoxide < 212g/L pH1% 6.8 7.4 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 3mL 2mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics No cream; 1mL of cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, No oil; No oil; trace of oil after 30 min and Re- Re-emulsifies/24h complete re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 5 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 19g/L

deltamethrin and 150g/L piperonyl butoxide. The concentrate is produced

as below in Table 9 and, as shown in Table 10, has been determined as

having: 1) adequate active ingredient concentration, even after

accelerated aging; 2) acceptable emulsion and dispersion properties upon

dilution in water prior to application; and 3) physical and chemical stability

at the point of manufacturing and again after accelerated aging to

approximate two years of shelf life.

Composition of embodiment 5 is as follows in Table 9:

Table 9:

Ingredient Role Concentration Deltamethrin Active 19.3g/L (CAS# 52918-63-5, Technical ingredient (yields 19.Og/L material, 98.2%) insecticide deltamethrin) Piperonyl butoxide Insecticidal 163.Og/L (CAS# 51-03-6, Technical material, synergist (yields 150.Og/L 92.0%) piperonyl butoxide) N-methyl-pyrolidone Solvent 2.5g/L (CAS# 872-50-4) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate Surfactant 88.Og/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium Surfactant 38.1g/L salt in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584 23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 294.9g/L aromatic (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 150) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 380.9g/L aromatic (to 987g/L total) (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 200)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 5 is as follows in Table

10:

Table 10:

Test As Accelerated manufactured Aged Result Presentation: Yellow to brown Yellow to brown liquid liquid Assay: 19.5g/L 18.7g/L Require 16.2g/L ! deltamethrin 21.8g/L Assay: 148.6g/L 145.1g/L Require 135g/L ! piperonyl butoxide 165g/L pH1% 7.0 7.5 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 3mL 3mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics No cream; Traces of cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, <trace No oil; No oil; of oil after 30 min and complete re- Re- Re emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 6 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining

12.5g/L deltamethrin and 100g/L piperonyl butoxide. The concentrate is

produced as below in Table 11 and, as shown in Table 12, has been

determined via assay as having: 1) adequate active ingredient

concentration, even after accelerated aging; 2) acceptable emulsion and

dispersion properties upon dilution in water prior to application; and 3)

physical and chemical stability at the point of manufacturing and again

after accelerated aging to approximate two years of shelf life.

Composition of embodiment 6 is as follows in Table 11:

Table 11:

Ingredient Role Concentration Deltamethrin Active 13.0g/L (CAS# 52918-63-5, Technical material, ingredient (yields 12.8g/L 98.2%) insecticide deltamethrin)

Piperonyl butoxide Insecticidal 109.1g/L (CAS# 51-03-6, Technical material, synergist (yields 100.4g/L 92.0%) piperonyl butoxide) N-methyl-pyrolidone Solvent 5.0g/L (CAS# 872-50-4) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate Surfactant 88.Og/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 38.0g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy Solvent 761.8g/L aromatic (to 1015g/L total) (CAS# 64742-94-5, e.g. Recosol 200)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 6 is as follows in Table

12:

Table 12:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Yellow to brown Yellow to brown liquid liquid Assay: 12.5g/L 12.2g/L Require 10.7g/L deltamethrin< 14.3g/L Assay: 99.4g/L 97.4g/L Require 90.0g/L piperonyl butoxide ! 110g/L pH1% 7.2 7.6 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 4mL 4mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics No cream; No cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, No oil; No oil; !trace of oil after 30 min and Re- Re-emulsifies/24h complete re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h

Example 2: Deltamethrin 50 g/L + Piperonyl Butoxide 400 g/L EC Raw

Material Identities

An example formulation combining 50 g/L deltamethrin and 400g/L

piperonyl butoxide is provided below in Table 13, which includes the purity

(where known), source and technical details of the components. The

deltamethrin technical and piperonyl butoxide technical are the same as that

used in the formulations of Example 1.

'I

E c- 00 L ) a)>coj - c 0LCL C) >1C'

:3 C=Cnm

03 C) _U U

U) E CT 0= 0o 00C M

c2( 00 Lf - c ~~ > U C u U) .2 ) U) . 0 : C C~) C; .=-. N- LO .0 LOLO

2 Q co C 6 ~~~U) 70 <9 C%/ ) Ea) C:C LO a) 0 a) C o o ~ LC) -VC 0 a) CL EE 7 LE ) E 3) -- ~ ~ - > 2-Ucuc m7 CU) CU :3 0U

C: U) CU) 7 HC 0 C aI) L..90 I I

CL C: !E EE Ez CD :3 -r :

M 0 a) U) Lo U)

0~ 0 U -U ) a~ )

'm ~ C>.0.0

0') a0 o 2 CL EoL 0 C2 m 7 . Cn N

E U)

0 OU) 75. 0) c

_ _ _ __ _ >-_ _ >__ _ _ _Ile __

Example 3: Method of Manufacture of Deltamethrin and Piperonyl

Butoxide Emulsifiable Concentrate Formulation

Formulation of a 1,000L batch of product, inclusive of quality control

measures, is as follows:

Formulation Procedure

1. Ensure formulation vessel is empty and clean

2. Charge solvent component(s), holding a small proportion back (e.g.

-5%) for subsequent addition, to the formulation vessel with the

agitator operating

3. Charge active ingredients (deltamethrin and synergists, e.g. piperonyl

butoxide) to the formulation vessel with continuous agitation

4. Charge the surfactant(s) and other excipients clearing residual

components from any pumps or process lines used with the remaining

complement of solvent

5. Continue agitating for a minimum of 30 minutes following the last

ingredient's addition

Quality Control Procedure

1. Sample approximately 1L of product, ensuring it is representative

2. Sub-sample 250mL from the original 1L sample, and subject it to the

following testing regime.

2.1. Specific gravity (CIPAC MT3.1)

If specific gravity is within the bounds of the acceptable range listed in

the specification, record the value and proceed to the next test. If

specific gravity is outside of the bounds of the acceptable range listed in the specification, agitate the formulation charge until specific gravity is constant. If still outside of the bounds of the acceptable range, quarantine batch for further investigations and possible rework.

2.2. pH 1% aqueous (CIPAC MT75.3)

If pH 1% aqueous is satifactory, record results and proceed to the next

test. If pH 1% aqueous is outside the bounds of the acceptable range

listed in the specification, quarantine the batch for further

investigations and possible rework.

2.3. Emulsion characteristics (CIPAC MT36.1)

If emulsion stability in standard hard water is satifactory, record results

and proceed to the next test. If emulsion stability is outside the bounds

of the acceptable range listed in the specification, adjust the contents

of surfactants. After suitable agitation time to ensure homogeneity,

resample and retest. Repeat adjustment process until emulsion

stability is within the bounds of the acceptable range.

2.4. Persistent foam (CIPACMT47.2)

If persistent foaming characteristics are satifactory, record results and

proceed to the next test. If persistent foaming characteristics are

outside the bounds of the acceptable range quarantine the batch for

further investigations and possible rework.

2.5. Active constituent (deltamethrin) content (appropriately

validated method. If active constituent level is satifactory, record

results. If active constituent level is outside the bounds of the

acceptable range listed in the specification, adjust the level accordingly by adding additional solvent and/or surfactants and/or other excipients (for a high active constituent content), or additional deltamethrin technical (for a low active content). After suitable agitation time to ensure homogeneity, resample and retest. Repeat adjustment process until active constituent levels are within the bounds of the acceptable range.

2.6 Active constituent (synergist, e.g. Piperonyl butoxide) content

(appropriately validated method). If active constituent level is

satifactory, record results. If active constituent level is outside the

bounds of the acceptable range listed in the specification, adjust the

level accordingly by adding additional solvent and/or surfactants

and/or other excipients (for a high active constituent content), or

additional synergist, e.g. Piperonyl butoxide (for a low active

constituent content). After suitable agitation time to ensure

homogeneity, resample and retest. Repeat adjustment process until

active constituent levels are within the bounds of the acceptable

range.

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

4. Generate a certificate of analysis noting results of testing

5. Issue quality clearance giving authority to package goods

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

manufacturing date is noted on the label.

Claims (5)

1. An emulsifiable concentrate formulation comprising:

deltamethrin;

piperonyl butoxide;

a surfactant; and

a solvent,

wherein the solvent comprises a petroleum hydrocarbon present in

an amount of at least 150 g/L of the total volume of the formulation.

2. The emulsifiable concentrate formulation of claim 1, wherein:

the deltamethrin is present at a concentration of at least about 10 g/L

of the total weight of the formulation;

the piperonyl butoxide is present at a concentration of at least about

50 g/L of the total weight of the formulation;

the surfactant is selected from a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic

surfactant or a mixture thereof, and is present in an amount of at least 20

g/L; and

wherein the solvent comprises a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha

(petroleum) present in an amount of at least 250 g/L of the total volume of

the formulation and does not comprise (or does not substantially comprise)

benzyl alcohol.

3. The emulsifiable concentrate formulation of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the deltamethrin is present in an amount between about 10 g/L to about 75 g/L; and/or the piperonyl butoxide is present in an amount between about 50 g/L to about 500 g/L; and/or the surfactant is an alkylbenzene sulphonate, an alkoxylated styryl phenol, or a mixture thereof and is present at a total concentration surfactant of between about 20 g/L and 150 g/L; and/or the solvent further comprises N-methyl-pyrrolidone; and/or the solvent is present in a total amount ranging between about 350 g/L to about 800 g/L of the total volume of the formulation.

4. An emulsifiable concentrate, comprising:

deltamethrin at a concentration of at least about 50 g/L;

piperonyl butoxide at a concentration of at least about 400 g/L;

a non-ionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylated tristyryl phenol;

an anionic surfactant comprising a calcium salt of an alkylbenzene

sulfonate; and

a solvent comprising a heavy aromatic solvent naphtha (petroleum)

and wherein the solvent does not comprise (or does not substantially

comprise) benzyl alcohol.

5. A method of preventing and/or controlling a pest infestation in a

storage area, comprising: mixing the concentrate formulation of any one of claims 1 to 4 with water or a water-containing liquid to obtain a pesticide composition, and applying the pesticide composition to a material for storage in the storage area to thereby prevent and/or control the pest infestation, wherein the material for storage is selected from the group consisting of grain, fruit, vegetables and timber.

Imtrade Australia Pty Ltd

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON