WO2006124507A1

WO2006124507A1 - Composition for control of flies

Info

Publication number: WO2006124507A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/018223
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dina L. Richman
Original assignee: FMC Corp
Current assignee: FMC Corp
Priority date: 2005-05-16
Filing date: 2006-05-11
Publication date: 2006-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2007-11-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition of a bait matrix and acetamiprid with high mortality and knockdown characteristics when used to control flies.

Description

COMPOSITION FOR CONTROL OF FLIES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/681,290, filed May 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to insecticidal compositions. In particular, it pertains to compositions of insecticides useful for control of flies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flies have the potential to cause nuisance or harm to persons, animals and property. Flies can appear in people and animals' living environment at any place and at any time. They contaminate food and articles by way of contact and fecal droppings subjecting people and animals to threats of bacteria and viruses.

Insecticidal compositions have commonly been used to control flies. Insecticidal compositions for the control of flies may be broadly categorized as contact treatments (dusts, sprays, fogs, etc ..) or bait treatments that require ingestion of the active ingredient (baits, gels, etc.). Of primary concern in developing an insecticidal composition that requires ingestion to control flies are 'mortality' rates as well as 'knockdown' rates. Mortality occurs when ingestion of the composition kills the flies. Knockdown refers to quick, short-term immobilization, trapping or death of the fly. Flies can recover from knockdown immobilization or trapping. Knockdown usually occurs within 10-30 minutes, but knockdown for houseflies can occur at up to 2 hours because of their tolerance for insecticides and recovery abilities. An optimal insecticide composition for control of flies would have fast knockdown and mortality effects and would control a high percentage of the fly population.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The composition of the present invention causes high mortality and knockdown rates within a short period of time resulting in a very wide range of effect in controlling fly populations. The present invention is directed to a composition suitable for use in controlling flies comprising a mixture of a bait matrix and acetamiprid. Other aspects of the present invention will also be apparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION QF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a composition suitable for use in controlling flies comprising a mixture of a bait matrix and acetamiprid. A preferred composition of the present invention is one wherein the amount of acetamiprid present is in the range of 0.001% by weight to 5.0% by weight based on the weight of all components in the total composition, even more preferred is the range of 0.05% by weight to 1.0% by weight of all components in the total composition. Another preferred composition of the present invention is where the bait matrix is selected from at least one of the group consisting of barley, corn syrup, avocado oil, lecithin, peanut oil, sugar, sugar substitutes and combinations thereof. The composition of the present invention may further comprise one or more additional insecticides. The composition of the present invention may further comprise a pyrethroid. The pyrethroid may be selected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, cypermethrin, zeta cypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, betacyhalothrin, alphacypermethrin, tralomethrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, fluvalinate, etofenprox, permethrin, metofluthrin, resmethrin, bioresmethrin, allethrin, bioallethrin, s-bioallethrin and tetramethrin; more particularly the pyrethroid is bifenthrin.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling flies comprising applying the composition of the present invention to a locus where fly control is needed or expected to be needed. Flies may be selected from the group consisting of Drosophila and Musca. More particularly, flies are selected from the group consisting of vinegar flies and houseflies. The locus is selected from the group consisting of a fly-infested location, a location that is expected to be fly- infested and an area adjacent to said locations. More particularly, the locus is selected from the group consisting of a food processing facility, a restaurant, a recreational park, a residential area and a residential building.

The compositions of the present invention may be derived either from technical grade or commercially available formulations of insecticides. For example, formulations of acetamiprid that are particularly useful in the context of the present invention include, without limitation, acetamiprid (sold under the names and trademarks of INTRUDER and ASSAIL), sold as a 70% wettable powder. Using methods known to one skilled in the art, the above-mentioned technical grade or commercially available formulations of insecticides can be dispersed in a bait matrix to provide a composition containing an insecticidally effective amount of the insecticide.

In the context of the present invention, the term "insecticide" refers to the active chemical compound or ingredient, such as acetamiprid, that kills insects such as flies. The term "locus" refers to any locations where control of insects, such as flies, is needed or expected to be needed. The term "mortality" refers to death of the insects, such as flies, resulting from ingestion of the insecticide. The term

"knockdown" refers to the quick, short-term immobilization, trapping or death of the insects, such as flies. The term "% by weight" refers to the weight of the insecticide or specified component as a percent of the total weight of the composition (e.g. including the bait matrix, other insecticides, surfactants, wetting agents, freeze/thaw agents and combinations thereof). The term "bait" or "bait matrix" refers to any edible or palatable substance that may contain a toxicant. The terms "mortality",

"percent mortality", "control", "controlling" or "percent control" may be used interchangeably, and refer to the killing of flies. The terms "vinegar fly", "fruit fly", or "little fruit fly" may be used interchangeably.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention, but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. The examples set forth certain biological data illustrating the efficacy of the compositions of the present invention in controlling flies. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts, percentages, and the like are by weight.

In the examples the following materials were used:

-70% wettable powder of acetamiprid; commercially available as Intruder from Dupont; - Bait Matrix 1 contained barley, water, corn syrup, vanilla and sugar substitute. - Bait Matrix 2 contained barley, water, corn syrup, vanilla and peanut oil. -Comparison is made in each example to a PRESCRIPTION TREATMENT® brand 960 VECTOR® Fruit Fly Trap available from Whitmire Micro-Gen Research Laboratories, Inc. in St. Louis, MO.

EXAMPLE l

Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies (Drosophila spp.) Exposed to a Fresh Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

The compositions of the present invention were prepared and tested for Vinegar Fly activity in the following manner:

Test compositions made up of bait matrices and a 70% wettable powder of acetamiprid in distilled water were prepared. The test compositions were prepared to contain 1,000 ppm of acetamiprid in a bait matrix.

Fifty D. melanogaster flies and fifty D. repleta flies were put into an 18-inch by 18-inch cage. Fresh bait containing the acetamiprid was placed in the cage with the vinegar flies. Knockdown and mortality (ie when a vinegar fly was trapped and/or dead on a treatment) were observed and recorded at 30 minutes. The test was also run with a standard Whitmire Vector Trap. The results are in Table 1.

Table 1

Combined Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies Exposed to a Fresh Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

EXAMPLE 2

Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies {Drosophila spp.) Exposed to a 9 day Aged Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition The compositions of the present invention were prepared and tested for Vinegar Fly activity in the following manner:

Fifty D. melanogaster flies and fifty D. repleta flies were put into an 18 -inch by 18-inch cage. Bait containing the acetamiprid was aged for 9 days in a closed petri dish. The aged bait containing the acetamiprid was placed in the cage with the vinegar flies. Knockdown and mortality (ie when a vinegar fly was trapped and/or dead on a treatment) were observed and recorded at 30 minutes. The test was also run with a standard Whitmire Vector Trap. The results are in Table 2.

Table 2

Combined Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies Exposed to a 9 day Aged Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

EXAMPLE 3

Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies (Drosophila spp.) Exposed to a 2 day Aged Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

Test compositions made up of bait matrices and a 70% wettable powder of acetamiprid in distilled water were prepared. The test compositions were prepared to contain 1,000 ppm of acetamiprid in a bait matrix. Fifty D. melanogaster flies and fifty D. repleta flies were put into an 18-inch by 18-inch cage. Bait containing the acetamiprid was aged for 2 days in an open petri dish. The aged bait containing the acetamiprid was placed in the cage with the vinegar flies. Knockdown and mortality (ie when a vinegar fly was trapped and/or dead on a treatment) were observed and recorded at 30 minutes. The test was also run with a standard Whitmire Vector Trap. The results are in Table 3.

Table 3

Combined Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies Exposed to a 2 day Aged Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

EXAMPLE 4

Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies (Drosophila spp.) Exposed to a 5 day Aged Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

Fifty D. melanogaster flies and fifty D. repleta flies were put into an 18-inch by 18-inch cage. Bait containing the acetamiprid was aged for 5 days in an open petri dish. The aged bait containing the acetamiprid was placed in the cage with the vinegar flies. Knockdown and mortality (ie when a vinegar fly was trapped and/or dead on a treatment) were observed and recorded at 30 minutes. The test was also run with a standard Whitmire Vector Trap. The results are in Table 4.

Table 4

Combined Knockdown and Mortality Rates of Vinegar Flies Exposed to a 5 day Aged Bait Matrix and Acetamiprid Composition

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that variations of the invention may be used and that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

Claim 1. A composition suitable for use in controlling flies comprising a mixture of i) a bait matrix and ii) acetamiprid.

Claim 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of acetamiprid is in the range of 0.001% by weight to 5.0% by weight of all components in the total composition.

Claim 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the amount of acetamiprid is in the range of 0.05% by weight to 1.0% by weight of all components in the total composition.

Claim 4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the bait matrix is selected from the group consisting of barley, corn syrup, avocado oil, lecithin, peanut oil, sugar, sugar substitutes and combinations of barley, corn syrup, avocado oil, lecithin, peanut oil, sugar and sugar substitutes.

Claim 5. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a pyrethroid.

Claim 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein said pyrethroid is selected from the group consisting of bifenthrin, cypermethrin, zeta cypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, betacyhalothrin, alphacypermethrin, tralomethrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, fluvalinate, etofenprox, permethrin, metofluthrin, resmethrin, bioresmethrin, allethrin, bioallethrin, s-bioallethrin and tetramethrin.

Claim 7. A composition according to claim 6, wherein said pyrethroid is bifenthrin.

Claim 8. A method for controlling flies comprising applying the composition of claim 1 to a locus where fly control is needed or expected to be needed.

Claim 9. A method for controlling flies comprising applying the composition of claim 5 to a locus where fly control is needed or expected to be needed.

Claim 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein said flies are selected from the group consisting of Drosophila and Musca.

Claim 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said flies are selected from the group consisting of Drosophila and Musca.

Claim 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said flies are selected from the group consisting of vinegar flies and houseflies.

Claim 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said flies are selected from the group consisting of vinegar flies and houseflies.

Claim 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said locus is selected from the group consisting of a fly-infested location, a location that is expected to be fly- infested and an area adjacent to said locations.

Claim 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein said locus is selected from the group consisting of a fly-infested location, a location that is expected to be fly- infested and an area adjacent to said locations.

Claim 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said locus is selected from the group consisting of a food processing facility, a restaurant, a recreational park, a residential area and a residential building.

Claim 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein said locus is selected from the group consisting of a food processing facility, a restaurant, a recreational park, a residential area and a residential building.