AU2023100044A4 - Pesticide formulation comprising spinosad and s-methoprene - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pesticide formulation comprising spinosad, s methoprene, a surfactant and a solvent, wherein the formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate, an emulsion or an ultra low volume (ULV) liquid, as well as methods 5 for producing a pesticide formulation and use of a pesticide formulation.

Description

PESTICIDE FORMULATION COMPRISING SPINOSAD AND S METHOPRENE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

present invention relates to a pesticide formulation containing spinosad and

s-methoprene as active agents 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

Spinosad is a 'natural' or 'bio-' insecticide being derived by the

fermentation of a species of the actinomycete fungus, Saccharopolyspora

spinosa. It is mixture of spinosyns A and D and was discovered and

developed originally by Elanco, now Dow AgroSciences, for the control of a

variety of insect pests, including: Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, some

Coleoptera, termites and ants, on a wide range of crops, including: cotton,

fruit (pome, stone and field), vegetables, wheat and tobacco, and is also

used on turf and ornamentals with its first marketplace introduction in USA

in 1997. Spinosad is highly active by both contact and ingestion, and

primarily targets binding sites on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading

to a disruption in acetylcholine neurotransmission. The actual physiological

effect of spinosad varies between insect species and life stages. For

instance, it affects certain species in the adult stage, and other species in the larval stage. Spinosad a mixture of spinosyn A

(2R,3aR,5aR,5bS,9S,13S,14R,16aS,16bR)-2-(6-deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl

alpha-L-mannopyranosyloxy)-13-(4-dimethylamino-2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy

beta-D-erythopyranosyloxy)-9-ethyl

2,3,3a,5a,5b,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16a,16b-hexadecahydro-14-methyl

1H-8-oxacyclododeca[b]as-indacene-7,15-dione; CAS#131929-60-7)and

spinosyn D (2S,3aR,5aS,5bS,9S,13S,14R,16aS,16bS)-2-(6-deoxy-2,3,4

tri-O-methyl-alpha-L-mannopyranosyloxy)-13-(4-dimethylamino-2,3,4,6

tetradeoxy-beta-D-erythopyranosyloxy)-9-ethyl

2,3,3a,5a,5b,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16a,16b-hexadecahydro-4,14

dimethyl-1H-8-oxacyclododeca[b]as-indacene-7,15-dione; CAS# 131929

63-0) in the proportion about 50-95% to about 50-5%.

S-methoprene (isopropyl (E,E)-(7S)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl

2,4-dodecadienoate; CAS: 65733-16-6) is an enantiomer of methoprene

and is known to be an insect growth regulator, particularly a juvenile

hormone mimic, which prevents metamorphosis of juvenile larvae to viable

adults. S-methoprene controls many insect pests (especially Diptera and

Pharaoh's ants, but also Coleoptera, Homoptera and Siphonaptera) in

public health, stored commodities (including tobacco), food handling,

processing and storage establishments, mushroom houses, on animals,

and on plants (including glasshouse plants). Particular uses include control

of mosquito larvae; sciarid flies in mushroom houses; cigarette beetles and

tobacco moths in stored tobacco; Pharaoh's ants; leaf miners on glasshouse

chrysanthemums; stored product pests in food and tobacco processing plants and warehouses.

It is a known problem that insecticides, such as spinosad and s

methoprene, 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 active ingredients that have

different mechanisms of action. Accordingly, it would be preferable, and a

significant advance in the art, to provide a combination 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

formulations comprising spinosad and/or s-methoprene, there remains a

need for improved combination formulations comprising spinosad and s

methoprene for use in agriculture and/or industry that overcomes one or

more of the inherent limitations of commercially available formulations

comprising spinosad and/or s-methoprene.

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 a pesticide formulation

comprising:

spinosad;

s-methoprene; a surfactant; and a solvent, wherein the pesticide formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate, an emulsion or an ultra low volume (ULV) liquid.

In some embodiments, the spinosad is present at a concentration of at least

about 5 g/L of the total weight of the formulation. Particularly, the spinosad and s

methoprene can be present in an amount between about 5 g/L to about 150 g/L each.

In certain embodiments, the s-methoprene is present at a concentration of at

least about 5 g/L of the total weight of the formulation. Particularly, the s-methoprene

can be present in an amount between about 5 g/L to about 150 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 50 g/L.

Particularly, the surfactants present are in a total concentration of between about 50

g/L and about 150 g/L. In some embodiments, the composition may comprise a mixture

of a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. The ratio of non-ionic surfactant to

anionic surfactant may be between 5:1 and 1:5. Preferably, the ratio may be between

1:2 and 2:1, or about 1:1.

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

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

ethoxylate, a polyoxyalkylenesorbitan monolaurate and any combination thereof.

Preferably, the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of calcium C10-16 alkylbenzyl sulphonate, an ethoxylated tristyryl phenol, a castor oil ethoxylate, a polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate or combinations thereof.

The total amount of solvent present in the emulsifiable concentrate

formulation may be at least 650 g/L, or between about 650 g/L and about

1100 g/L. In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises methyl salicylate.

The solvent may be a solvent substantially or entirely comprising synthetic

methyl salicylate or it may be an organic extract of Oil of Wintergreen. The

solvent may also comprise a further solvent that is miscible with methyl

salicylate, such as N-methylpyrrolidone.

When additional solvents are used (i.e., in addition to the solvent

comprising methyl salicylate), 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

methyl salicylate and N-methyl pyrrolidone.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a pesticide

composition, comprising:

spinosad at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L;

s-methoprene at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L;

a non-ionic surfactant comprising a polyoxyethylenesorbitan

monolaurate; an anionic surfactant comprising a calcium salt of an alkylbenzene sulfonate, wherein the ratio of non-ionic surfactant to anionic surfactant is 1:1; and a solvent comprising methyl salicylate, wherein the pesticide formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate.

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

pesticide formulation of the first or second aspect, comprising the steps of (a)

combining the spinosad, s-methoprene, a surfactant and a solvent, and (b) mixing to

form the pesticide formulation.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing and/or

controlling a pest infestation in a storage area, comprising:

mixing the pesticide 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/or the applying step in the method of the third or

fourth aspects 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, stored commodity, commercial or residential premises

etc.) with a reduced amount of the concentrated pesticide product being

used. As such, 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 or an ultra-low volume (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,

emulsion-in-water or 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. This issue may

be seen in other commercially available combinations of spinosad and s

methoprene which are formulated as a suspoemulsion concentrate.

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 before use. 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 (for instance, whether a

pure, synthetic solvent is necessary, or if a cheaper, less-pure organic extract could be used); and any environmental impact of the solvents and excipients.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention advantageously

provides a pesticide formulation comprising spinosad and s-methoprene in

combination, formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion-in-water

or ULV liquid, 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 methyl salicylate as a substantial component of the

solvent, either as a high purity synthetic methyl salicylate (CAS No. 119-36

8) or as an oily extract of the herb wintergreen, otherwise known as Oil of

Wintergreen (CAS No. 68917-75-9). The inventors have surprisingly found

that not only does methyl salicylate result in a stable emulsifiable

concentrate formulation comprising spinosad and s-methoprene, and hence

an enduring alternative to other commercially available combination

formulations, but methyl salicylate is understood to also provide

compounding insecticidal benefits to extend efficacy as a protectant of

stored grains.

In one embodiment, formulations described herein may be suitable

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

Further, the combination formulations are preferably an emulsifiable

concentrate.

Accordingly, in one broad form the invention resides in a pesticide

formulation comprising: spinosad; s-methoprene; a surfactant; and a solvent, wherein the formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate, an emulsion or an ultra low volume (ULV) liquid.

The term "spinosad" as used herein refers specifically to the mixture

of spinosyns A and D, which are derived from the fermentation of a species

of the actinomycete fungus, Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Spinosad is

known to act on affected insects neurologically, by disrupting acetylcholine

neurotransmission and hyperexcitation of the insect's nervous system.

The term "s-methoprene", or just "methoprene" refers to the 'S'

enantiomer of methoprene (propan-2-yl (2E,4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11

trimethydodeca-2,4-dienoate), which is known to be a juvenile hormone

anolog. The'R'enantiomer is not believed to be active. Whilst s-methoprene

is not fatal to the affected insect, it does inhibit the insect from maturing to

the adult stage and hence unable to reproduce.

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.

The solvent of the pesticide formulations herein may comprise one

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

the solvents of the formulation dissolves both active agents (the spinosad

and the s-methoprene), either alone or in combination with at least one

surfactant. In some embodiments, the solvent may comprise, or

substantially comprise, or contain, methyl salicylate. 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 they

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. The emulsion may be

stabilised by, or formed with, a surfactant, or more than one surfactants.

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.

In one aspect, the invention provides a pesticide formulation,

wherein: the spinosad is present at a concentration of at least about 5 g/L, or between about 5 g/L and about 150 g/L, of the total weight of the formulation; the s-methoprene is present at a concentration of at least about 5 g/L, or between about 5 g/L and about 150 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 50 g/L, or between about 50g/L and about 150 g/L; and wherein the solvent is present in an amount of at least 350 g/L of the total volume of the formulation and comprises methyl salicylate, wherein the formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate.

In another aspect, the invention provides a pesticide concentrate,

comprising:

spinosad at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L;

s-methoprene at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L;

a non-ionic surfactant comprising a polyoxyethylenesorbitan

monolaurate;

an anionic surfactant comprising a calcium salt of an alkylbenzene

sulfonate, wherein the ratio of non-ionic surfactant to anionic surfactant is

1:1; and

a solvent comprising methyl salicylate,

wherein the formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate.

The statements which follow apply equally to the aforementioned aspects of the invention.

For the present invention, spinosad and s-methoprene are suitably

present in a concentration (e.g., at least about 5 g/L each) that provides a

concentrated pesticide formulation, particularly an emulsifiable concentrate

formulation, 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, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid formulations, spinosad may be

present in an amount from about 5 g/L to about 150 g/L or any range therein

such as, but not limited to, about 10 g/L to about 100g/L, about 20 g/L to

about 50 g/L, about 40 g/L to about 120 g/L, about 50 g/L to about 125 g/L,

or about 25 g/L to about 40 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation. In

particular embodiments of the present invention, spinosad is present in an

amount of about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 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, 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, spinosad is present in an amount of about 10 g/L, about 50 g/L,

or about 100 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation.

Further, in the liquid pesticide formulations of the present invention,

s-methoprene may also be present in an amount from about 5 g/L to about

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

about 1OOg/L, about 20 g/L to about 50 g/L, about40 g/L to about 120 g/L, about 50 g/L to about 125 g/L, or about 25 g/L to about 40 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation. In particular embodiments of the present invention, s methoprene is present in an amount of about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 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, 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, s-methoprene is present in an

amount of about 10 g/L, about 50 g/L, or about 100 g/L of the liquid pesticide

formulation. The ratio of the total amount of spinosad to s-methoprene may

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

between 10:1 and 1:5, or it may be about 10:1, 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1,

3:1, 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, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7,

1:8, 1:9, 1:10, or any range therein in the liquid pesticide formulation. In

certain embodiments of the present invention, the ratio of spinosad to s

methoprene may be between 1:5 and 5:1, or more preferably be about 1:1.

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

substance in solution. The solvent may comprise an alkyl salicylate, 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 comprises, or is, methyl

salicylate. More particularly, the solvent may be synthetic methyl salicylate

or an extract of Oil of Wintergreen. In some embodiments, the solvent may

also comprise a pyrrolidone, such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. In preferred

embodiments, the solvent may comprise both methyl salicylate and 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 20 parts of the first solvent, and

about 1 part of the second solvent. For example, the ratio 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, 4:1, 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 about 1:1.

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

including an emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid

formulation of the present invention, may be present in a total amount from

about 350 g/L to about 1100 g/L or any range therein such as, but not limited

to, about 350 g/L to about 800 g/L, about 500 g/L to about 650 g/L, or about

400 g/L to about 1100 g/L of the liquid pesticide formulation. In particular

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

ofabout 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, 1000, 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050,

1060, 107, 1080, 1090, 1100 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 790 g/L to about 1080 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.

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 combination pesticide formulation

comprising spinosad and s-methoprene, such as an emulsifiable

concentrate, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid 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

concentrations and the particular surfactant to be included therein.

With regard to liquid pesticide formulations, such as emulsifiable

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

may be present in a total amount of surfactant from about 50 g/L to about

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

about 100 g/L, or about 60 g/L to about 90 g/L thereof. In particular

embodiments of the present invention, the surfactant 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 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 60 g/L of the liquid

pesticide formulation. More preferably, the surfactant is present in an amount ranging between about 60 g/L to about 95 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,

emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid formulations described herein, 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, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid 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., 36 x ethoxylated (e.g., Termul 1284); -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)), a

polysorbate (e.g., Tween 20); 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 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 tristyryl phenols (e.g., Termul 3150), an alkoxylated oil, such as

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

polysorbate (e.g., Tween 20) and any 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 8:1 and about 18:1.

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 (i.e., used

to enhance the effectiveness of a treatment or to modify the action of a

principal ingredient, e.g., such as piperonyl butoxide (PBO)), 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, emulsion-in-water or ULV

liquid formulations 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

formulations comprising a combination of spinosad and s-methoprene, 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 pesticide 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, emulsion-in-water

or ULV liquid 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,

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

formulations 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 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, emulsion-in-water or 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 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 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, emulsion-in-water or

ULV liquid 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 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 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 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 - comprising spinosad and s-methoprene 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, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid formulation 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, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Coleoptera, Isoptera,

Homoptera, Siphonaptera, Muscidae, Anopheles, Noctuidae, Heteroptera,

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, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid 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), Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and Psocids

(Liposcelis spp.).

The pesticide 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 pesticide formulation are

known in the art and may include, for example, ground or aerial spraying

after dilution in water or a water-containing liquid.

The pesticide formulation of the invention may 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, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid are known in the art and may include, for example, spraying.

In one embodiment, liquid forms of the pesticide formulation,

including the emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion-in-water or ULV liquid

formulation, are applied at a rate of about 1 mL to about 10 mL per tonne of

grain, e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 mL. In some embodiments,

the about 1 mL to about 10 mL of the emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion

in-water or ULV liquid formulation is diluted in water or a water-containing

liquid to produce a pesticide formulation before application to about one

tonne of grain. The total volume of the pesticide formulation for application

to about one tonne of grain may be between about 500 mL and 2 L, e.g.,

about 500 mL, 550 mL, 600 mL, 650 mL, 700 mL, 750 mL, 800 mL, 850 mL,

900 mL, 950 mL, 1000 mL, 1050 mL, 1100 mL, 1150 mL, 1200 mL, 1250

mL, 1300 mL, 1350 mL, 1400 mL, 1450 mL, 1500 mL, 1550 mL, 1600 mL,

1650 mL, 1700 mL, 1750 mL, 1800 mL, 1850 mL, 1900 mL, 1950 mL or

2000 mL. In one particular embodiment, about 5mL of the emulsifiable

concentrate formulation is diluted to 1L in water or a water-containing liquid

per tonne of grain to be treated.

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 active ingredients (i.e., weight of spinosad to weight of s

methoprene) may be between about 5:1 and about 1:5 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 1:20 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 Spinosad and s-Methoprene

A number of embodiments of emulsifiable concentrate formulations across

a range of spinosad and s-methoprene concentrations and proportions, and

a range of solvents and surfactants are provided below.

Embodiment 1 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 100g/L

spinosad and 100g/L s-methoprene. 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 Spinosad (A, D) Active 118.5g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.7g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 108.0g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical ingredient (yields 106.1g/L s material, 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium Surfactant 44.8g/L salt in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584 23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Sorbitan monolaurate, polyethanoxy Surfactant 48.1g/L (20) (CAS# 9005-64-5, e.g. Tween 20) Methyl salicylate Solvent 807.9g/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1127g/L total)

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

2:

Table 2:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 103.1g/L 100.0g/L Require 90.0g/L spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 105.6g/L 106.9g/L Require 90.0g/L s-methoprene 100.0g/L pH1% 8.3 7.8 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 12mL 5mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics 0.5mL of cream; Traces of cream; Require: 2mL cream after 30 min, No oil; No oil; trace of oil after 30 min and Re-emulsifies/24h Re-emulsifies/24h complete re-emulsion after 24h

Embodiment 2 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 100

g/L spinosad and 100 g/L s-methoprene. 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 Spinosad (A, D) Active 117.8g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.1g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 108.9g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 107.0g/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt in Surfactant 24.2g/L 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104 76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Sorbitan monolaurate, polyethanoxy (20) Surfactant 36.8g/L (CAS# 9005-64-5, e.g. Tween 20) Methyl salicylate Solvent 846.7g/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1134g/L total)

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

4:

Table 4:

Test As Accelerated Aged manufactured Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 102.5g/L 102.2g/L Require 90.Og/L spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 105.8g/L 105.4g/L Require 90.Og/L s-methoprene 100.0g/L pH1% 7.9 7.9 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 8mL 7mL 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 complete Re- Re-emulsifies/24h re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 3 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 1OOg/L

spinosad and 1OOg/L s-methoprene. 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 Spinosad (A, D) Active 118.Og/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.3g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 109.Og/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 107.1g/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 30.3g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Castor oil ethoxylate Surfactant 30.4g/L (CAS# 61791-12-6, e.g. Termul 1284) Methyl salicylate Solvent 843.3g/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1131g/L total)

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

6:

Table 6:

Test As Accelerated manufactured Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 102.4g/L 100.1g/L Require 90.0g/L spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 105.9g/L 105.3g/L Require 90.0g/L s-methoprene 100.0g/L pH1% 8.1 8.1 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 12mL 8mL 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 complete Re- Re re-emulsion after 24h emulsifies/24h emulsifies/24h

Embodiment 4 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 1OOg/L

spinosad and 1OOg/L s-methoprene. 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 Spinosad (A, D) Active 118.3g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.6g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 109.4g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 107.5g/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium Surfactant 30.1g/L salt in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584 23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Castor oil ethoxylate Surfactant 30.5g/L (CAS# 61791-12-6, e.g. Termul 1284) Oil of wintergreen Solvent 842.0g/L (CAS# 68917-75-9) (to 1130g/L total)

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

8:

Table 8:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 107.0g/L 104.1g/L Require 90.0g/L ! spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 105.7g/L 105.5g/L Require 90.0g/L s-methoprene 100.0g/L pH1% 7.7 8.4 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 9mL 2mL 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

Embodiment 5 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 100g/L

spinosad and 100g/L s-methoprene. 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 Spinosad (A, D) Active 118.4g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.6g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 109.0g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical ingredient (yields 107.1g/L s material, 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium Surfactant 31.1g/L salt in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584 23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Castor oil ethoxylate Surfactant 30.2g/L (CAS# 61791-12-6, e.g. Termul 1284) Alkyl polyoxyalkylene ether Surfactant 10.2g/L (CAS# Proprietary, e.g. Termul 203) Methyl salicylate Solvent 831.8g/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1131g/L total)

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

10:

Table 10:

Test As Accelerated manufactured Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 105.4g/L 101.7g/L Require 90.0g/L spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 105.6g/L 105.7g/L Require 90.0g/L s-methoprene 100.0g/L pH1% 7.7 8.1 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 7mL 5mL 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 1OOg/L

spinosad and 1OOg/L s-methoprene. 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 Spinosad (A, D) Active 118.3g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.6g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 109.1g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 107.2g/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 18.8g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Ethoxylated tristyrylphenol Surfactant 43.1g/L (CAS# 99734-09-5, e.g. Termul 3150) Methyl salicylate Solvent 846.Og/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1135g/L total)

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

12:

Table 12:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 104.2g/L 100.3g/L Require 90.Og/L:5 spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 105.5g/L 105.8g/L Require 90.Og/L: s-methoprene 5 100.0g/L pH1% 7.9 8.1 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 7mL 8mL Require: 60mL foam after 1 min Emulsion characteristics No cream; Traces 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 7 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 1OOg/L

spinosad and 100g/L s-methoprene. The concentrate is produced as

below in Table 13 and, as shown in Table 14, 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 7 is as follows in Table 13:

Table 13:

Ingredient Role Concentration Spinosad (A, D) Active 118.Og/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 100.3g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 109.1g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 107.2g/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 30.6g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Castor oil ethoxylate Surfactant 30.6g/L (CAS# 61791-12-6, e.g. Termul 1284) N-methyl pyrrolidone (CAS# 872-50-4) Solvent 400.1g/L Methyl salicylate Solvent 389.4g/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1078g/L total)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 7 is as follows in Table

14:

Table 14:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 100.6g/L 97.2g/L Require 90.0g/L spinosad 100.0g/L Assay: 104.4g/L 104.4g/L Require 90.0g/L:5 s-methoprene 5 100.0g/L pH1% 8.0 8.3 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 9mL 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

Embodiment 8 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 50g/L

spinosad and 50g/L s-methoprene. The concentrate is produced as below

in Table 15 and, as shown in Table 16, 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 8 is as follows in Table 15:

Table 15:

Ingredient Role Concentration Spinosad (A, D) Active 59.2g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 50.3g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 54.9g/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 54.Og/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 30.3g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Castor oil ethoxylate Surfactant 30.5g/L (CAS# 61791-12-6, e.g. Termul 1284) Methyl salicylate Solvent 977.Og/L (CAS# 119-36-8) (to 1152g/L total)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 8 is as follows in Table

16:

Table 16:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 54.8g/L 50.1g/L Require 45.0g/L ! spinosad 55.0g/L Assay: 54.2g/L 52.7g/L Require 45.0g/L s-methoprene 55.0g/L pH1% 7.5 8.3 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 11mL 9mL 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

Embodiment 9 - Recipe for an emulsifiable concentrate combining 10g/L

spinosad and 10g/L s-methoprene. The concentrate is produced as below

in Table 17 and, as shown in Table 18, 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 9 is as follows in Table 17:

Table 17:

Ingredient Role Concentration Spinosad (A, D) Active 11.8g/L (CAS# 131929-60-7, 131929-63-0, ingredient (yields 10.0g/L Technical material, 85.0%) insecticide spinosad) s-Methoprene Active 11.Og/L (CAS# 65733-16-6, Technical material, ingredient (yields 10.8g/L s 98.3%) insecticide methoprene) Alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, calcium salt Surfactant 30.0g/L in 2-ethylhexanol (CAS# 68584-23-6 in 104-76-7, e.g. Ninate 60E) Castor oil ethoxylate Surfactant 30.0g/L (CAS# 61791-12-6, e.g. Termul 1284) Oil of wintergreen Solvent 1081.9g/L (CAS# 68917-75-9) (to 1165g/L total)

Chemical and physical parameters of embodiment 9 is as follows in Table

18:

Table 18:

Test As manufactured Accelerated Aged Result Presentation: Brown liquid Brown liquid Assay: 10.5g/L 10.0g/L Require 8.5g/L spinosad 10.5g/L Assay: 10.8g/L 10.8g/L Require 8.5g/L s-methoprene< 10.50g/L pH1% 7.6 8.1 Nominally: 5.5 to 9.5 Persistent foaming 9mL 9mL 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: Spinosad 100g/L + s-Methoprene 100 g/L EC Raw Material

Identities

An example formulation combining 100g/L spinosad and 100g/L s

methoprene is provided below in Table 19, which includes the purity (where

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

technical and s-methoprene technical are the same as that used in the

formulations of Example 1.

Co C) m 00

.0.

o: CD CD~ ~ U 0 )

0 3 ,C.)') c 4 <

M 1 :3 U cy a) T-~ LC 0 * M ) UCC E- CD 00 -o r

-N~ ~" -,,eL c

cU) E >N m " c"o >% m < ED o () > Lo LO Q c =C)- OV E C -6 V 2 0 a) WO) CD 64Ci w - 1 C)-v (1 >(l CL(0 co ) EU)- U

m )U M CUo Z Q-U 7E* ~ ) ~ i.. O EC N. ) C C~oc 21 U 2

o U) E EO DO E 53

-0 :3 Lt) cu >, C) >,- x0 .04~

m 0 0 =~ 0. 3U) a U)cZe: CL ml 0!E2)" 4U U)

w 0 002

-CC.T - __ _u __ _ua)___

Example 3: Method of Manufacture of Spinosad and s-Methoprene

Emulsifiable Concentrate Formulation

Formulation of a 10,OOOL 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 (spinosad and s-methoprene) 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 (spinosad or s-methoprene) 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 technical active constituent spinosad and/or s-methoprene (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.

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.

Example 4: Bio-efficacy of Emulsifiable Concentrate Formulations

Comprising Spinosad and s-Methoprene

Trials have been carried out to compare the activity and efficacy of an

emulsifiable concentrate formulation of the present invention with a currently

available product for controlling an infestation of Rust Red Flour Beetle

(Tribolium castaneum) or the Lesser Grain Borer (Rhyzoperth dominica).

A. Rust Red Flour Beetle

In this trial, a formulation of Embodiment 3 (as described above) was

compared to Conserve Plus Grain Protector (APVMA No. 81465; Dow

AgriSciences Australia Pty Ltd; batch no. C781H9DOOO). Both concentrate

formulations were diluted in water at the amounts of 0.5, 1 and 2 mL per litre of

water to form pesticide compositions for application. Clean wheat samples were then treated with aliquots of these pesticide compositions and then, 1 day after treatment (DAT), infested with 20 individual Rust Red Flour Beetles to simulate a natural incursion. Each of the sealed microcosms (simulating a sealed silo) containing treated wheat and 20 individual beetles were then analysed after 4 and 8 days after incorporation (DAI) for mortality. Results of these trials are provided below in Table 14, which shows the mean number of dead beetles per microcosm and the % corrected mortality using Abbott's Formula (Mortality % =

(1-Tn after treatment/ Cn after treatment) * 100, where Tn = number of live

insects in treatment and Cn= number of live insects in control).

Table 14

No. Formulation and 4 DAI 4 DAI 8 DAI 8 DAI Application % Corrected % Corrected Rate Mortality Mortality 1 Untreated - 2.8 - 7.5 0 g.ai/t grain 2 Conserve Plus- 2.8 0.3 20.0 100.0 0.05 g.ai/t grain 3 Embodiment 3- 8.0 30.2 20.0 100.0 0.05 g.ai/t grain 4 Conserve Plus - 9.0 35.6 20.0 100.0 0.10 g.ai/t grain 5 Embodiment 3 - 17.8 87.2 20.0 100.0 0.10 g.ai/t grain 6 Conserve Plus - 13.3 60.9 20.0 100.0 0.20 g.ai/t grain 7 Embodiment 3 - 17.3 84.0 20.0 100.0 0.02 g.ai/t grain P value <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 1 LSD 11.09 8.34 1.67 ns The treatment analysis in Table 14 clearly shows that, except for Conserve Plus

at 0.05 gram active / Tonne, all treatments provided significant control of Rust

Red Flour Beetles when compared to the Untreated control throughout the

duration of the trial. However, significant differences were exhibited between

treatments at the first assessment (4 DAI), where Embodiment 3 was

significantly superior in controlling Rust Red Flour Beetle. This shows that the

formulations of the present invention show a faster initial activity after infestation

of a wheat silo by Rust Red Flour Beetle, compared to the currently available

Conserve Plus product.

B. Lesser Grain Borer

The above comparative trial was also completed with the Lesser Grain

Borer as the invasive pest species. The only difference in experimental design

was the incorporation of the 20 individual borers 5 days after treatment. The

results are shown below in Table 15.

Table 15:

No. Formulation and Application Rate 4 DAI 4 DAI % Corrected Mortality 1 Untreated - 1.3 0 g.ai/t grain 2 Conserve Plus - 0.05 g.ai/t grain 19.5 97.1 3 Embodiment 3 - 0.05 g.ai/t grain 20.0 100.0 4 Conserve Plus - 0.10 g.ai/t grain 20.0 100.0 5 Embodiment 3 - 0.10 g.ai/t grain 20.0 100.0 6 Conserve Plus - 0.20 g.ai/t grain 20.0 100.0 7 Embodiment 3 - 0.02 g.ai/t grain 20.0 100.0 P value <0.001 0.445 LSD 11.09 ns

As seen in Table 15, all treatments provided significant control over Lesser

Grain Borers when compared to the Untreated control. Accordingly, formulations of the present invention are as effective as the Conserve Plus product in the initial treatment of an infestation of the Lesser Grain Borer.

Claims (5)

1. A pesticide formulation comprising:

spinosad;

s-methoprene;

a surfactant; and

a solvent,

wherein the pesticide formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate, an emulsion or

an ultra low volume (ULV) liquid.

2. The pesticide formulation of claim 1, wherein:

the spinosad is present at a concentration of at least about 5 g/L, or between

about 10 g/L and about 150 g/L, of the total weight of the pesticide formulation;

the s-methoprene is present at a concentration of at least about 5 g/L, or

between about 5g/L and about 150 g/L, of the total weight of the pesticide 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 50 g/L, or between about 50g/L

and about 150 g/L; and

wherein the solvent comprises methyl salicylate in an amount of at least 650 g/L

of the total volume of the formulation, and

wherein the pesticide formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate.

3. A pesticide formulation, comprising:

spinosad at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L;

s-methoprene at a concentration of at least about 100 g/L; a non-ionic surfactant comprising a polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate; an anionic surfactant comprising a calcium salt of an alkylbenzene sulfonate, wherein the ratio of non-ionic surfactant to anionic surfactant is 1:1; and a solvent comprising methyl salicylate, wherein the pesticide formulation is an emulsifiable concentrate.

4. A method of producing a pesticide formulation of any one of claims 1 to 3,

comprising the steps of (a) combining the spinosad, s-methoprene, a surfactant and a

solvent, and (b) mixing to form the pesticide formulation.

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

comprising:

mixing the pesticide formulation of any one of claims 1 to 3 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