GB2536230B

GB2536230B - Insecticidal composition

Info

Publication number: GB2536230B
Application number: GB1503950.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Bristow James
Original assignee: Rotam Agrochem International Co Ltd
Current assignee: Rotam Agrochem International Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-09
Filing date: 2015-03-09
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-09
Also published as: BR102016005068B1; GB201503950D0; BR102016005068A2; CN105941457A; GB2536230A; TW201639459A; TWI718130B

Description

INSECTICIDAL COMPOSITION

The present invention relates generally to a composition for controlling insects. In particular, the present invention provides an insecticidal composition comprising a specific amount of thiamethoxam and bifenthrin exhibiting a particularly strong synergistic effect on insect control.

Insect infestations represent a major threat to economically important agricultural crops. The yield of plants, for example, fibre plants, vegetables, sugar cane, leguminous plants, cereals, pasture is adversely impacted by insect attacks.

Chemical control is an important way for preventing and controlling pests in agriculture. However, the environmental and economic requirements imposed on modern-day insecticides are continually increasing, with regard, for example, to the spectrum of action, toxicity, selectivity, application rate, formation of residues, and favorable preparation ability.

Insecticides named neonicotinoids represent a well-known class of insecticides with a broad spectrum of insect control. They are developed as insecticides with reduced toxicity compared to previously used organophosphate and carbamates that provide similar broad spectrum control to numerous crop-damaging pests. One representative of said class is 3-[(2-Chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-5-methyl-/\/-nitro-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-imine, known by the common name thiamethoxam, a widely used commercial agrochemical product. Thiamethoxam was first disclosed in EP 0 580 553, along with methods for its preparation. It is a broad-spectrum, systemic insecticide and is absorbed quickly by plants and transported to all of its parts, including pollen, where it acts to deter insect feeding. The compound is absorbed in the stomach of insects or through direct contact, including through the insect’s tracheal system. Thiamethoxam acts by interfering with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system, and eventually paralyzes the muscles of insects. A further well known class of insecticides is the class of pyrethroids. These are axonic excitoxins, the toxic effects of which are mediated through preventing the closure of the voltagegated sodium channels in the axonal membranes. One representative of said class is 2-Methyl-3-(phenylphenyl)methyl (1 S,3S)-3-[(Z)-2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enylj- 2,2- dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate, known by the common name bifenthrin. Like other pyrethroids, bifenthrin is chiral and has two different enantiomers: 1S-cis-bifenthrin and 1R-cis- bifenthrin. Its binding to a voltage-gated sodium channel will result in so-called after potentials and eventual continuous firing of axons, thereby disabling the target insect.

Since there may be problems, for example, with resistances developing to known active compounds, a constant task is to develop new insecticide agents which in some areas at least have advantages over their known counterparts. Recently, insecticidal compositions comprising two or more compounds from different classes of insecticides have been suggested. Compositions comprising thiamethoxam and bifenthrin have been reported in the art. CN 101919401 B discloses pesticidal compositions containing thiamethoxam and bifenthrin in a weight ratio of 20:1 to 1:5, preferably of 15:1 to 1:1. One specific example discloses a composition comprising 5% thiamethoxam, 10% bifenthrin, 8% of an anionic emulsifier, 6% of a non-ionic emulsifier, 15% cyclohexane, 5% methanol, and xylene to make up to 100%. CN 102027986 B discloses pesticidal compositions comprising bifenthrin and thiamethoxam in a mass ratio of between 100:1 to 1:10. US 8,133,499 discloses a liquid termiticide composition comprising a pyrethroid, such as bifenthin, and a neonicotinoid, such as thiamethoxin. The composition shall provide a continuous chemical barrier and increased termite mortality at low application rates. In the composition bifenthrin is present in an amount of from 0.0005% by weight to 0.50% by weight of all components, and thiamethoxam is present in an amount of from 0.0005% by weight to 0.50% by weight of all components. US 2008/319023 discloses an insecticidal composition containing a mixture of a pyrethroid and a second insecticide selected among others from thiamethoxam. Said composition comprises from 0.001% by weight to 0.005% by weight of bifenthrin and from 0.0025% by weight to 0.02% by weight of thiamethoxam.

Although a certain effect on insecticidal control of the combination of thiamethoxam and bifenthrin has been reported, and concomitantly a reduced amount of insecticides necessary for effectively controlling pests, latest environmental protection and consumer interests call for even lower rates in terms of individual applications and amounts of such compositions in particular in the agricultural sector.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a more effective insecticidal composition which overcomes developed resistances and reduces the need of applying large quantities of the composition on plants in order to effectively control pests such as certain insects.

It has now been unexpectedly found that an insecticidal composition comprising between about 22 % and 25 % by weight thiamethoxam and between about 15 % and 18 % by weight of bifenthrin exhibits a synergistic effect much stronger than that reported for previously known compositions comprising thiamethoxam and bifenthrin.

Thus, according to a certain aspect, the present invention provides an insecticidal composition comprising between from about 22 % to about 25 % by weight thiamethoxam and between from about 15 % to 18 % by weight of bifenthrin.

Preferably, the amount of thiamethoxam ranges in between from about 22.5 % to 24.9 % by weight, more preferably between from about 22.9 % to about 24.6 % by weight, even more preferably between from about 23.0 % to about 24.0 % by weight, more preferably between from about 23.2 % to about 23.7 % by weight, and most preferably between from about 23.3 % to about 23.5 % by weight. The most preferred amount of thiamethoxam in the insecticidal composition is about 23.4 % by weight.

Also preferably, the amount of bifenthrin ranges in between from about 15.4 % to about 17.6 % by weight, more preferably between from about 15.8 % to about 17.2 % by weight, even more preferably between from about 16.1 % to 17.0 % by weight, more preferably between from about 16.3 % to 16.9 % by weight, and most preferably between from about 16.5 % to 16.7 % by weight. The most preferred amount of bifenthrin in the insecticidal composition is about 16.6 % by weight.

Preferred combinations are from about 23 % to 24 % by weight thiamethoxam with from 16 % to 17 % by weight of bifenthrin, more preferred compositions containing from about 23.3 % to 23.5 % by weight thiamethoxam with from about 16.5 % to 16.7 % by weight bifenthrin, most preferred compositions containing 23.4 % by weight thiamethoxam and 16.6 % by weight bifenthrin.

Thiamethoxam and bifenthrin may be present in the composition or applied in any amounts relative to each other, to provide the synergistic effect of the mixture. In particular, the weight ratio of thiamethoxam and bifenthrin in the composition is in the range of from about 1.7:1 to about 1.2:1, preferably of from about 1.65:1 to about 1.25:1, more preferably from about 1.6:1 to about 1.3:1, even more preferred from about 1.55:1 to about 1.35:1, even more preferred from about 1.5:1 to about 1.35:1, yet more preferred from about 1.45:1 to about 1.35:1, most preferred the weight ratio of thiamethoxam and bifenthrin in the composition is about 1.4:1.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the terms “more than one” and “one or more” designates a number of the respective compounds of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more, preferably 2 or 3.

The term “plant” as used herein, refers to all plant and plant populations such as desired and undesired wild plants or crop plants.

The term “plant parts” as used herein, refers to all parts and organs of plants, such as shoot, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes. Harvested materials, and vegetative and generative propagation materials, for example, cutting, tubers, meristem tissue, rhizomes, offsets, seeds, single and multiple plant cells and any other plant tissues, are also included.

Wthin the meaning of the present invention, the term “% by weight” refers to % by weight of the composition.

The composition containing the active ingredients thiamethoxam and bifenthrin in the amounts indicated may be provided in any form suitable for a direct application to the locus or for the manufacture of a formulation that may be applied to the locus, such as e.g. in liquid solutions, concentrates, suspensions, suspension concentrates, emulsions, micro-emulsions, emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powders, water dispersible granules, capsule suspensions, emulsifiable granules. The compositions of the present invention may further comprise one or more suitable auxiliaries or additives conventionally used in such formulations. Such suitable auxiliaries are all customary formulation adjuvants or components, such as extender, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents and fillers. These auxiliaries are generally known in the art and are commercially available. For example, the composition of the present invention may further comprise one or more additives such as an emulsifier, a dispersing agent, a wetting agent, or a penetrating agent, as well as further additives such as surfactants, and depending on the dosage forms also optionally a solvent or co-solvent, a carrier or filler and water. If considered necessary the insecticidal composition of the present invention may also comprise binders, disintegrating agents and other additives.

The emulsifier can be one or more ionic emulsifiers or one or more non-ionic emulsifiers, such as two ionic emulsifiers or two non-ionic emulsifiers, or combinations thereof. The emulsifier can be selected from the group consisting of but not limited to alkylphenol (polyoxypropylene) ether, benzyl phenol ethoxylates, phenethyl phenol ethoxylates, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid polyoxyethylene vinyl ester, phenethyl phenols, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene ethers, phosphates, ethylene oxide adduct of castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenol ether formaldehyde condensate, alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (calcium salt or sodium salt), or combinations thereof.

The one or more dispersing agent, wetting agent or surfactant which are preferably nonionic, cationic and/or anionic in nature. Also included are surfactant mixtures having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties. Suitable anionic surfactants can be both so-called water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds. Soaps which may be used are the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or substituted or unsubstituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acid (C10-C22), for example the sodium or potassium salt of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures. The surfactant can be an emulsifier, dispersant or wetting agent of ionic or nonionic type. Examples which may be used are salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acid, salts of phenylsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols, especially alkylphenols, sulphosuccinic ester salts, taurine derivatives, especially alkyltaurates, or phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated phenols or alcohols. The presence of at least one surfactant is generally desired when the active compound and/or the inert carrier and/or auxiliary/adjuvant are insoluble in water and the vehicle for the final application of the composition is water.

The organic solvent or co-solvent can be selected from the group consisting of but not limited to non-hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably fractions C8 to C12 of alkylbenzenes, such as xylene mixtures, alkylated naphthalenes or tetrahydronaphthalene, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, such as paraffins or cyclohexane, alcohols, such as ethanol, propanol or butanol, glycols and ethers and esters thereof, such as propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol ether, ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol monomethyl or -ethyl ether, ketones, such as cyclohexanone, isophorone or diacetone alcohol, strongly polar solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolid-2-one, dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide, water, non-epoxidized or epoxidized plant oils, such as non-epoxidized or epoxidized rapeseed, castor, coconut or soya oil, and silicone oils, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the solvent is an organic solvent or co-solvent selected from the group consisting of but not limited to toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene, mineral spirits, a-methylnaphthalene, turpentine, dichloromethane, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, isoamyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, isophorone, acetophenone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, N-dimethyl-formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl cellosolve or ethyl cellosolve fibers, or combinations thereof. The following may be mentioned as being preferred: N-methyl pyrrolidone, N-octyl pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl-1-pyrrolidone; or SOLVESSO™200 by ExxonMobil, which is a commercially available mixture of paraffinic, isoparaffinic, cycloparaffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

The carrier or filler can be selected from inert fillers. Suitable fillers in a form of a solid include, for example, natural ground minerals, such as kaolins, aluminas, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, and diatomaceous earth, or synthetic ground minerals, such as highly dispersed silicic acid, aluminum oxide, silicates, and calcium phosphates and calcium hydrogen phosphates. Suitable inert fillers for granules include, for example, crushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, and dolomite, or synthetic granules of inorganic and organic ground materials, as well as granules of organic material, such as sawdust, coconut husks, corn cobs, and tobacco stalks, or combinations thereof.

The one or more polymeric stabilizers that may be used in the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, copolymers of mono-olefins and di-olefins, polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethanes or polyamides, or combinations thereof.

The antifreeze agents can be selected from the group consisting of but not limited to ethylene glycol, glycerol, propylene glycol, urea, glycerol, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, polyethylene glycol or isopropanol, or combinations thereof.

The binder can be selected from the group consisting of but not limited to starch, dextrin, gum arabic, soy protein, bone glue, sodium sulfate, gypsum, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, glycol, rosin, paraffin wax, CMC, or sodium silicate or combinations thereof.

Suitable antifoaming agents include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. The antifoaming agents to be used in the present invention can thus be selected from the group consisting of but not limited to silicones, C8 to Cw fatty alcohols, saturated fatty acids (e.g. capric acid, stearic acid, etc.) and amides, or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred antifoam agents are mixtures of polydimethylsiloxanes and perfluroalkylphosphonic acids.

The disintegrating agents can be selected from the group consisting of but not limited to sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl starch, ammonium sulfate, bentonite, calcium chloride, urea, or combinations thereof.

Suitable antioxidants are all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions, as is known in the art. Preference is given to butylated hydroxytoluene.

Suitable thickeners include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. For example xanthan gum, PVOH, cellulose and its derivatives, clay hydrated silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates or a mixture thereof.

The insecticidal composition may further comprise one or more solid adherents. Such adherents are known in the art and commercially available. They include organic adhesives, including tackifiers, such as celluloses of substituted celluloses, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules, or lattices, and inorganic adhesives such as gypsum, silica or cement.

In addition, depending upon the formulation, the composition according to the invention may also comprise water.

The insecticidal composition of the present invention may also comprise further active ingredients such as other insecticides and/or herbicides.

The insecticidal composition of the present invention can be used for controlling insects, particularly for controlling insects in agricultural and horticultural crops. The composition of the present invention is suitable for controlling aphids, armyworms, beetles, leafhoppers, loopers, millipedes, mites, moths, spittlebugs, stink bugs, thrips, weevils, whiteflies, particularly suitable for controlling insects selected among the group consisting of but not limited to aphid (Myzus persicae), cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica speciose), moth (Spodoptera frugiperda), spittiebug (Deois flavoptica, Mahanarva fimbriolat), stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus, Euschistus heros, Piezodorus guildinii), thrips (Thrips palmi), weevil (Sphenophorus levis), and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

The composition of the present invention is further particularly suitable for protecting plants and/or crops selected among the group consisting of but not limited to fibre plants, vegetables, sugar cane, leguminous plants, cereals, pasture, particularly cotton, potato, sugar cane, onion, dry bean, corn, pasture, red pepper, soybean and tomato.

The composition of the present invention can be preferably used to control: • Aphid (Myzus persicae), and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) on tomato; • Stink bug (Euschistus heros), and stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) on soybean; • Thrips (Thrips palmi) on red pepper; • Spittiebug (Deois flavoptica) on pasture; • Stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus) and moth (Spodoptera frugiperda) on corn; • Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica speciosa) on dry bean; • Thrips (Thrips palmi) on onion; • Spittiebug (Mahanarva fimbriolat) and weevil (Sphenophorus levis) on sugar cane; • Aphid (Myzus persicae) and thrips (Thrips palmi) on potato; and • Stink bug (Euschistus heros) and Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) on cotton.

For combating insects at a specific locus, the insecticidal composition is applied to the locus such as a plant to be protected, a region surrounding a plant to be protected, or a seed of the plant. Preferably, the composition is applied to the foliage or fruit of the plant.

The insecticidal composition of the present invention can thus be used for protecting crops, such as agricultural and horticultural crops, including industrial products thereof, such as seeds and fruits, by applying to the crops an effective amount of the insecticidal composition.

The insecticidal composition of the present invention can also be used for protecting stored products and stocks of material, and even in the protection of domestic animals and productive livestock against pests.

The composition may be applied and used in pure form, as a solid active compound, for example, in a specific particle size, or preferably together with at least one of the auxiliary or additive components, as is customary in formulation technology, such as extenders, for example solvents or solid carriers, or surface-active compounds (surfactants), as described in more detail above. Generally, the active components thiamethoxam and bifenthrin are in the form of a formulation composition with one or more of the aforementioned customary formulation auxiliaries.

Examples of formulation types for pre-mix compositions are: a water-soluble concentrate (SL), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil-based suspension concentrate (OD), a flowable suspension (FS), a water-dispersible granule (WG), a water-soluble granule (SG), a water-dispersible powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), a granule (GR), an encapsulated granule (CG), a fine granule (FG), a macrogranule (GG), an aqueous suspo-emulsion (SE), a microencapsulated suspension (CS), a microgranule (MG) or preferably a suspension concentrate (SC).

Using such formulations, either straight (that is undiluted) or diluted with a suitable solvent, especially water, plants, plant parts and/or the surrounding can be treated and protected against insects by spraying, pouring or immersing. Generally, formulation can be diluted with water having the rate of from about 1 to about 300 g total active ingredients per hectare, preferably from about 4 g to about 200 g total active ingredients per hectare, more preferably from about 10 g to about 150 g total active ingredients per hectare, still more preferably from about 20 g to 100 g total active ingredients per hectare, most preferably from about 40 g to 60 g total active ingredients per hectare.

The composition of the present invention can be applied with the active components thiamethoxam and bifenthrin obtained from a separate formulation source and mixed together (known as a tank-mix, ready-to-apply, spray broth, or slurry), optionally with other pesticides, or the active components thiamethoxam and bifenthrin can be obtained as a single formulation mixture source (known as a pre-mix, concentrate, formulated compound (or product), and optionally mixed together with other pesticides before being applied.

The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting it thereto.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES

Aqueous suspension concentrates were prepared having the compositions summarised in the following table:

The finely ground thiamethoxam and bifenthrin were intimately mixed with the adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of any desired dilution could be obtained by dilution with water.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

Field Test 1 - Soybean - Stink bug (Euschistus heros)

Stink bug (Euschistus heros) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insects was counted, collected and then put on healthy young soybean plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 2 - Soybean - Stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii)

Stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young soybean plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

' Field Test 3 - Cotton - Stink bug (Euschistus heros)

Stink bug (Euschistus heros) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young cotton plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 4 - Cotton - Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young cotton plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 5 - Potato - Aphid (Myzus persicae)

Aphid (Myzus persicae) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young potato plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 6 - Potato - Thrips (Thrips palmi)

Thrips (Thrips palmi) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young potato plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 7 - Sugarcane - Spittiebug (Mahanarva fimbriolat)

Spittiebug (Mahanarva fimbriolat) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young sugarcane plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 8 - Sugarcane - Weevil (Sphenophorus levis)

Weevil (Sphenophorus levis) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young sugarcane plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 9 - Onion - Thrips (Thrips palmi)

Thrips (Thrips palmi) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young onion plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 10 - Dry bean - Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young dry bean plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 11 - Dry bean - Cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica seciosa)

Cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica seciosa) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young dry bean plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 12 - Corn - Stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus)

Stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young corn plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 13 - Corn - Moth (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Larva of moth (Spodoptera frugiperda) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young corn plants. The Formulations

Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 14 - Pasture - Spittlebug (Deo/'s flavopicta)

Spittlebug (Deois flavopicta) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on pasture. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 15 - Red pepper - Thrips (Thrips palmi)

Thrips (Thrips palmi) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young red pepper plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 16 - Tomato - Aphid (Myzus persicae)

Aphid (Myzus persicae) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young tomato plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Field Test 16 - Tomato - Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) was reared in the laboratory. The number of insect were counted, collected and then put on healthy young whitefly plants. The Formulations Examples were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After staying in a greenhouse at 21-25 °C and 80 % relative atmospheric humidity for 10 days, the remaining population was examined.

Claims

1. An insecticidal composition comprising between 22 % and 25 % by weight thiamethoxam and between 15 % and 18 % by weight of bifenthrin.

2. The insecticidal composition according to claim 1, comprising 23.4 % by weight thiamethoxam and 16.6 % by weight bifenthrin.

3. The insecticidal composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of thiamethoxam and bifenthrin in the composition is in the range of from 1.55:1 to 1.35:1.

4. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of thiamethoxam and bifenthrin in the composition is 1.4:1.

5. The insecticidal composition according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more of adjuvants, additives, or solvents.

6. The insecticidal composition according claim 5, wherein the adjuvants, additives or solvents are selected from extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents, fillers, emulsifier, dispersing agents, wetting agents, penetrating agents, surfactants, binders, disintegrating agents or any combination thereof.

7. The insecticidal composition according to any of the preceding claims, which is in form of a water-soluble concentrate (SL), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil-based suspension concentrate (OD), a fiowabie suspension (FS), a water-dispersible granule (WG), a water-soluble granule (SG), a water-dispersible powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), a granule (GR), an encapsulated granule (CG), a fine granule (FG), a macrogranule (GG), an aqueous suspo-emulsion (SE), a microencapsulated suspension (CS), a microgranule (MG) or preferably a suspension concentrate (SC).

8. Use of an insecticidal composition according to any of claims 1 to 7 for controlling insects.

9. The use according to claim 8, wherein the insects are seiected from aphid (Myzus persicae), cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica spec/ose), moth (Spodoptera frugiperda), spittiebug (Deois flavoptica, Mahanarva fimbriolat), stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus, Euschistus heros, Piezodorus guildinii), thrips (Thrips palmi), weevil (Sphenophorus levis), and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

10. Use of the insecticidal composition according to any of claims 1 to 7 for protecting plants against insects.

11. The use according to claim 10, wherein the plant is selected from cotton, potato, sugar cane, onion, dry bean, corn, pasture, red pepper, soybean and tomato.

12. The use according to any of claims 10 to 11, wherein the insects are on plants: « Aphid (Myzus persicae), and white flies (Bemisia tabaci) on tomato; • Stink bug (Euschistus herns), and stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) on soybean; • Thrips (Thrips palmi) on red pepper; • Spittiebug (Deois flavoptica) on pasture; • Stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus) and moth (Spodoptera frugiperda) on corn; • Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica speciosa) on dry bean; • Thrips (Thrips palmi) on onion; • Spittiebug (Mahanarva fimbriolat) and weevil (Sphenophorus ievls) on sugar cane; • Aphid (Myzus persicae) and thrips (Thrips palmi) on potato; and • Stink bug (Euschistus herns) and whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) on cotton.

13. A method of protecting a plant against an insecticidal pest comprising the step of applying to a plant, a region surrounding a plant, or a seed of the plant, an effective amount of the insecticidal composition according of any of claims 1 to 7.