Pest-killing composition

Abstract

Disclosed is a pesticidal composition comprising: (i) a compound of formula (I) as an active ingredient: wherein: A is hydrogen or methyl; U is independently chlorine or methyl; n is 1 or 2; G is hydrogen or -C(=O)OCH 2 CH 3 ; and X is N or C(H); or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof; and (ii) an adjuvant combination comprising: (a) an ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer (polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block copolymer); and (b) an alcohol alkoxylate; wherein the weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is from 1:3 to 3:1; and the weight ratio of component (i) to (ii) is from 1:1 to 1:4.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension concentrate composition comprising an insecticidal active ingredient, its preparation, and a method of using such a composition to control pests in crops of useful plants.

[0002] A pesticidal adjuvant can be defined as a substance present in a pesticidal spray formulation which is incorporated into the active ingredient concentrate (i.e., the so-called "built-in" adjuvant) (diluted in the spray tank before spraying), or added to the spray tank before spraying and which is not a component of the active ingredient concentrate (i.e., the so-called "tank mix" adjuvant), which substance improves the performance of the pesticidal active ingredient, for example by promoting the spreading of the active ingredient on the leaf surface or its penetration into the leaf. The use of built-in adjuvants in agrochemical formulations can simplify the spraying process by eliminating the step of adding the adjuvant separately to the spray tank and may therefore be preferred in certain cases.

[0003] WO 2004 / 007448 and WO 2010 / 066780 disclose that certain spiroheterocyclic pyrrolidinedione derivatives have pesticidal activity, especially insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal activity. Such derivatives act systemically and are capable of penetrating into plant leaves and moving through the vascular system of the plant when applied foliarly. For this reason, these derivatives are particularly effective against insect sucking pests such as aphids, thrips and whiteflies. However, when applying a composition comprising such a derivative to a plant, it is important to achieve a balance between achieving acceptable pesticidal efficacy and limiting phytotoxicity results which may be due to excessive penetration of the active ingredient into the plant.

[0004] Therefore, there remains a motivation to develop agrochemical formulations, especially those comprising built-in adjuvants, for novel compositions which meet these dual requirements of optimizing pesticidal (insecticidal) efficacy while limiting phytotoxicity and thus limiting significant damage to the plant (crop safety).

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a pesticidal composition comprising:

[0006] (i) a compound of formula (I) as an active ingredient:

[0007]

[0008] wherein:

[0009] A is hydrogen or methyl;

[0010] U is independently chlorine or methyl;

[0011] n is 1 or 2;

[0012] G is hydrogen or -C(=O)OCH2 CH 3 ; and

[0013] X is N or C(H);

[0014] or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof; and

[0015] (ii) an adjuvant combination comprising:

[0016] (a) an ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer (a polyethylene oxide / polypropylene oxide block copolymer); and

[0017] (b) an alcohol alkoxylate;

[0018] wherein the weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is from 1:3 to 3:1; and

[0019] the weight ratio of component (i) to (ii) is from 1:1 to 1:4.

[0020] Surprisingly, it has been found that for practical purposes, the compositions of the invention have a very advantageous activity level in controlling insect pests in the crops of useful plants after foliar or soil application, while also maintaining acceptable crop safety (phytotoxicity) results. Activity means that the compositions of the invention are capable of killing or controlling insects, retarding the growth or reproduction of insects, reducing insect populations, and / or reducing damage to plants caused by insects.

[0021] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of combating and controlling pests, which method comprises applying a composition according to the invention to the pests, to the locus of the pests, or to the crops of useful plants susceptible to pest attack.

[0022] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling pests, which method comprises applying a composition according to the invention to the soil of the crops of useful plants, wherein the application is effected by drip, soak or injection into the soil.

[0023] Preferably, the composition according to the present invention is a suspension concentrate formulation. A suspension concentrate (SC) formulation is a stable suspension of one or more solid pesticidal active ingredients in a fluid, typically intended to be diluted before use. Ideally, the suspension should be stable (i.e., not settle out). Suspension concentrate formulations are usually diluted with water before conventional spraying through a nozzle and, in addition to one or more active ingredients, may contain other adjuvants such as surfactants, emulsifiers, dispersants, wetting agents, antifreeze agents, defoaming agents, biocides, solvents, stabilizers, antimicrobials, pigments, buffers, surface-active substances, etc. Such substances are known to those skilled in the field of agrochemical formulations. Suspension concentrate formulations can be prepared by ball milling or bead milling the solid active ingredient compound in a suitable medium (optionally with one or more dispersants) to produce a fine-grained suspension of the compound. One or more wetting agents may be included in the composition, and a suspending (anti-settling) agent may be included to reduce the rate of particle settling. Alternatively, the active ingredient can be dry milled and added to water containing the reagents described above to produce the desired final product.

[0024] Preferably, the compound of formula (I) (component (i)) is selected from one of Compound 1 (spiropidion - CAS No.: 1229023-00-0) or Compound 2 (spirotetramat - CAS No.: 203313-25-1), and most preferably Compound 1 (spiropidion).

[0025]

[0026] Component (ii) is a combination of adjuvants comprising: (a) an ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer (polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block copolymer); and (b) an alcohol alkoxylate.

[0027] The ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer used as component (a) of the adjuvant combination (ii) preferably has a molecular mass in the range of 2500 to 7000 g / mol, and more preferably 4000 to 6000 g / mol. Preferably, this ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer comprises a central polyoxypropylene group (block) flanked by two polyoxyethylene groups (blocks). That is, the ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer comprises a POE-POP-POE sequence, where POE represents a polyoxyethylene (-CH 2 CH 2 O-) block and POP (-CH 2 CH(CH 3 )O-) represents a polyoxypropylene block, and has a molecular mass of 2500 to 7000 (g / mol).

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ethylene oxide / methylethylene oxide block copolymer that serves as component (a) of the adjuvant combination (ii) has the following general formula:

[0029]

[0030] where x is an integer in the range of 10 to 15, y is an integer in the range of 25 to 35, and z is an integer in the range of 10 to 15, and preferably the block copolymer has a molecular mass (g / mol) in the range of 2500 to 3500 g / mol.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ethylene oxide / methylethylene oxide block copolymer that serves as component (a) of the adjuvant combination (ii) has the following general formula:

[0032]

[0033] where x is an integer in the range of 30 to 40, y is an integer in the range of 50 to 60, and z is an integer in the range of 30 to 40, and preferably the block copolymer has a molecular mass (g / mol) in the range of 6000 to 7000 g / mol.

[0034] Examples of ethylene oxide / methylethylene oxide block copolymers that can be used according to the present invention are PE 6400 (BASF Corporation, USA) and PE 10500 (BASF Corporation, USA).

[0035] The alcohol alkoxylate that serves as component (b) of the adjuvant combination (ii) is preferably an alkoxylated C 12 to C 15 fatty alcohol, and more preferably an ethoxylated and / or propoxylated C 12 to C 15 fatty alcohol. Examples of alkoxylated C 12 to C 15 fatty alcohols are LF 404 (BASF Corporation, USA).

[0036] The weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is from 1:3 to 3:1. This can include specific weight ratios of component (a) to component (b) of 1:3, 1:2, 2:3, 1:1, 3:2, 2:1, or 3:1. Preferably, the weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is from 1:1 to 3:1, and more preferably from 1:1 to 2:1, particularly 1.5:1.

[0037] The weight ratio of component (i) to (ii) is from 1:1 to 1:4. This can include specific weight ratios of component (i) to component (ii) of 1:1, 2:3, 1:2, 2:5, 1:3, 2:7 or 1:4. Preferably, the weight ratio of component (i) to component (ii) is from 1:2 to 1:4, and more preferably from 1:2 to 1:3, particularly 2:5.

[0038] Preferably, the treatment with the composition of the invention is as follows: the only pesticidal active ingredient is the compound of formula (I), however, the composition can also be applied in combination with one or more additional pesticidal (insecticidal, acaricidal or nematicidal) active ingredients or active ingredient combinations, for example in a tank mix.

[0039] Examples of pests that can be controlled according to the invention include those:

[0040] From the order Acarina, such as species of the genus Acalitus (Acalitus spp.), Aculus (Aculus spp.), Acaricalus (Acaricalus spp.), Aceria (Aceria spp.), Acarus siro, Amblyomma (Amblyomma spp.), Argas (Argas spp.), Boophilus (Boophilus spp.), Brevipalpus (Brevipalpus spp.), Bryobia (Bryobia spp.), Calipitrimerus (Calipitrimerus spp.), Chorioptes (Chorioptes spp.), Dermanyssus gallinae, Dermatophagoides (Dermatophagoides spp.), Eotetranychus (Eotetranychus spp.), Eriophyes (Eriophyes spp.), Hemitarsonemus (Hemitarsonemus spp.), Hyalomma (Hyalomma spp.), Ixodes (Ixodes spp.), Olygonychus (Olygonychus spp.), Ornithodoros (Ornithodoros spp.), Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Panonychus (Panonychus spp.), Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Phytonemus (Phytonemus spp.), Polyphagotarsonemus (Polyphagotarsonemus spp.), Psoroptes (Psoroptes spp.), Rhipicephalus (Rhipicephalus spp.), Rhizoglyphus (Rhizoglyphus spp.), Sarcoptes (Sarcoptes spp.), Steneotarsonemus (Steneotarsonemus spp.), Tarsonemus (Tarsonemus spp.), and Tetranychus (Tetranychus spp.);

[0041] From the order Phthiraptera, such as species of the genus Haematopinus (Haematopinus spp.), Linognathus (Linognathus spp.), Pediculus (Pediculus spp.), Pemphigus (Pemphigus spp.), and Phylloxera (Phylloxera spp.);

[0042] From the Coleoptera order, such as species of the genus Agriotes (Agriotes spp.), Amphimallon majale, Anomala orientalis, Anthonomus spp., Aphodius spp., Astylus atromaculatus, Ataenius spp., Atomaria linearis, Chaetocnema tibialis, Cerotoma spp., Conoderus spp., Cosmopolites spp., Cotinis nitida, Curculio spp., Cyclocephala spp., Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Diloboderus abderus, Epilachna spp., Eremnus spp., Heteronychus arator, Hypothenemus hampei, Lagria vilosa, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Lissorhoptrus spp., Liogenys spp., Maecolaspis spp., Maladera castanea, Megascelis spp., Melighetes aeneus, Melolontha spp., Myochrous armatus, Orycaephilus spp., Otiorhynchus spp., Phyllophaga spp., Phlyctinus spp., Popillia spp., Psylliodes spp., Rhyssomatus aubtilis, Rhizopertha spp., Scarabeidae, Sitophilus spp.) Sitotroga spp., Somaticus spp., species of the genus Rhynchophorus, Sternerus subsignatus, Tenebrio spp., Tribolium spp., and Trogoderma spp.;.

[0043] from the order Diptera, such as Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., Antherigona soccata., Bactrocea oleae, Bibio hortulanus, Bradysia spp., Calliphora erythrocephala, Ceratitis spp., Chrysomyia spp., Culex spp., Cuterebra spp., Dacus spp., Delia spp, Drosophila melanogaster, Fannia spp., Gastrophilus spp., Geomyza tripunctata, Glossina spp., Hypoderma spp., Hyppobosca spp., Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Melanagromyza spp., Musca spp., Oestrus spp., Orseolia spp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami, Phorbia spp., Rhagoletis spp, Rivelia quadrifasciata, Scatella spp., Sciara spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., and Tipula spp.;

[0044] From the Hemiptera order, such as Acanthocoris scabrator, Acrosternum spp., Adelphocoris lineolatus, Aelia acuminata, Bathycoelia thalassina, Dalader spp., Cimex spp., Clavigralla tomentosicollis, Creontiades spp., Cyrtopeltis notatus, Dichelops furcatus, Dysdercus spp., Edessa spp., Euchistus spp., Eurydema pulchrum, Eurygaster spp., Halyomorpha halys, Horcias nobilellus, Leptocorisa spp., Lygus spp., Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Murgantia histrionic, Neomegalotomus spp., Nesidiocoris tenuis, Nezara spp., Nysius simulans, Pachygrontha punctiventris, Physopelta spp., Pirata subpiraticus, Rhynocoris fuscipes, Sahlbergella singularis, Scaptocoris castanea, Scotinophara spp., Thyanta spp., Triatoma spp., and Vatiga illudens;

[0045] From the Homoptera, such as Acyrthosium pisum, species of the genus Adalges, Agalliana ensigera, Talgilus sp., species of the genus Aleurodicus, species of the genus Aleurocanthus, Aleurotrachelus socialis, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aleyrodes brassicae, Amarasca biguttula, Idiocerus sp., species of the genus Aonidiella, species of the genus Aspidiotus, Aphis gossypii, Bactericera cockerelli, species of the genus Bemisia, species of the genus Brachycaudus, Brevicoryne brassicae, species of the genus Cacopsylla, Cavariella aegopodii Scop., species of the genus Ceroplastes, Chrysomphalus aonidum, Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, species of the genus Cicadella, Cofana spectra, species of the genus Cryptomyzus, species of the genus Empoasca, Coccus hesperidum, Dalbulus maidis, species of the genus Dialeurodes, Diaphorina citri, Diuraphis noxia, species of the genus Drosicha, species of the genus Erythroneura, species of the genus Gascardia, Glycaspis brimblecombei, Hyadaphis pseudobrassicae, species of the genus Hyalopterus, Hyperomyzus pallidus, Idioscopus clypealis, Idiocerus sp., species of the genus Laodelphax, Lepidosaphes ulmi, species of the genus Lepidosaphes, Lipaphis erysimi, Lyogenys maidis, species of the genus Macrosiphum, species of the genus Mahanarva, Metcalfa pruinosa, Metopolophium dirhodum, Metcalfa pruinosa, species of the genus Myzus, species of the genus Neotoxoptera, species of the genus Nephotettix, species of the genus Nilaparvata)、Green aphid of pear, Odonaspis ruthae, Melanaphis sacchari, Bemisia myricae, Trioza erytreae, species of Parlatoria, species of Pemphigus, Ledra aurita, species of Idiocerus, Phorodon humuli, species of Phylloxera (Phylloxera spp), species of Planococcus, species of Pseudaulacaspis, species of Pseudococcus, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus, species of Psyllidae, Pulvinaria aethiopica, species of Prionaspis, Quesada gigas, Recilia dorsalis, species of Rhopalosiphum, species of Saissetia, species of Scaphoideus, species of Schizaphis, species of Sitobion (Sitobion spp.), Sogatella furcifera, Spissistilus festinus, Tarophagus Proserpina, species of Thecabius, species of Trialeurodes, Tridiscus sporoboli, species of Trionymus (Trionymus spp.), African psyllid, Unaspis yanonensis, Matsumurasca flammea, and Zyginidia scutellaris;.

[0046] From Hymenoptera, such as Acromyrmex, species of Arge (Arge spp.), species of Atta (Atta spp.), species of Cephus (Cephus spp.), species of Diprion (Diprion spp.), Diprionidae, Gilpinia polytoma, species of Hoplocampa (Hoplocampa spp.), species of Lasius (Lasius spp.), Monomorium pharaonis, species of Neodiprion (Neodiprion spp.), species of Pogonomyrmex (Pogonomyrmex spp), Solenopsis invicta, species of Solenopsis (Solenopsisspp.), and species of Vespa (Vespa spp.);

[0047] From Isoptera, such as species of Coptotermes (Coptotermes spp), Corniternes cumulans, species of Incisitermes (Incisitermes spp), species of Macrotermes (Macrotermes spp), species of Mastotermes (Mastotermes spp), species of Microtermes (Microtermes spp), species of Reticulitermes (Reticulitermes spp.); Solenopsis geminate;

[0048] from the Lepidoptera, such as species of the genera Adoxophyes, Adoxophyes, Synanthedon, Agrotis, Spodoptera, Amylois, Anticarsia, Archips, Argyresthia spp., Adoxophyes, Autographa, Bucculatrix, Caradrina, Cadra, Carposina, Chilo, Chrysoesthia, Clysia, Cnaphalocrocis, Cnephasia, Cochylis, Coleophora, Colias, Cosmophila flava, Crambus, Hellula, Platynota, Cossus, Cydia, Dichomeris, Earias, Epinotia spp, Estigmene, Etiella zinckenella, Eucosma, Eupoecilia, Euproctis, Feltia jaculifera, Grapholita, Heliothis, Hellula, Herpetogramma spp, Hyphantria, Keiferia, Lasmopalpus lignosellus, Leucoptera, Lobesia, Loxostege bifidalis, Lymantria, Mamestra, Manduca, Mythimna, Noctua, Operophtera, Orniodes indica, Ostrinia, Platynota, Pandemis, Panolis, Phthorimaea, Phyllocnistis, Platynota, Plutella, Prays, Semiothisa, Sesamia, Spodoptera, Trichoplusia, Tuta, and Yponomeuta;

[0049] from the Mallophaga, such as species of the genera Damalina and Trichodectes;

[0050] From the order Orthoptera, such as species of the genus Blatta, Blattella, Gryllotalpa, Blaberus discoidalis, Locusta, Neocurtilla hexadactyla, Periplaneta, Scapteriscus spp, and Schistocerca;

[0051] From the order Psocoptera, such as species of the genus Liposcelis (Liposcelis spp.);

[0052] From the order Siphonaptera, such as species of the genus Ceratophyllus, Ctenocephalides, and Xenopsylla cheopis;

[0053] From the order Thysanoptera, such as Calliothrips phaseoli, Frankliniella spp., Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips spp., Parthenothrips spp., Scirtothrips aurantii, Sericothrips variabilis, Taeniothrips spp., Thrips spp.; and / or

[0054] From the order Thysanura, such as Lepisma saccharina.

[0055] Examples of soil-dwelling pests that can damage crops in the early stages of plant development are:

[0056] From the order Lepidoptera, such as species of the genus Acleris, Synanthedon, Agrotis, Alabama argillacea, Amylois spp., Autographa spp., Busseola fusca, Cadra cautella, Chilo spp., Diaphania indica, Elasmopalpus spp., Helicoverpa spp., Mamestra brassicae, Phthorimaea operculella, Plutella xylostella, Scirpophaga spp., Sesamia spp., Spodoptera spp., and Tortrix spp.;

[0057] From Coleoptera, such as species of the genus Agriotes (Agriotes spp.), Anthonomus (Anthonomus spp.), Atomaria linearis, Chaetocnema tibialis, Conotrachelus (Conotrachelus spp.), Cosmopolites (Cosmopolites spp.), Curculio (Curculio spp.), Dermestes (Dermestes spp.), Diabrotica (Diabrotica spp.), Dilopoderus (Dilopoderus spp.), Epilachna (Epilachna spp.), Eremnus (Eremnus spp.), Heteronychus (Heteronychus spp.), Lissorhoptrus (Lissorhoptrus spp.), Melolontha (Melolontha spp.), Orycaephilus (Orycaephilus spp.), Otiorhynchus (Otiorhynchus spp.), Phlyctinus (Phlyctinus spp.), Popillia (Popillia spp.), Psylliodes (Psylliodes spp.), Rhizopertha (Rhizopertha spp.), Scarabeidae, Sitotroga (Sitotroga spp.), Somaticus (Somaticus spp.), Tanymecus (Tanymecus spp.), Tenebrio (Tenebrio spp.), Tribolium (Tribolium spp.), Trogoderma (Trogoderma spp.), and Zabrus (Zabrus spp.);

[0058] From Orthoptera, such as species of the genus Gryllotalpa;

[0059] From Isoptera, such as species of the genus Reticulitermes (Reticulitermes spp.);

[0060] From Psocoptera, such as species of the genus Liposcelis (Liposcelis spp.);

[0061] From Phthiraptera, such as species of the genus Haematopinus (Haematopinus spp.), Linognathus (Linognathus spp.), Pediculus (Pediculus spp.), Pemphigus (Pemphigus spp.), and Phylloxera (Phylloxera spp.);

[0062] From the Homoptera, such as Eriosoma lanigerum;

[0063] From the Hymenoptera, such as Acromyrmex, Atta spp., Cephus spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Neodiprion spp., Solenopsis spp., and Vespaspp.;

[0064] From the Diptera, such as Tipula spp.;

[0065] Flea beetles of cruciferous plants (Phyllotreta spp.), root maggots (Delia spp.), cabbage curculios (Ceutorhynchus spp.), and aphids.

[0066] In particular, the compositions of the present invention can be applied against insects from the Homoptera (especially whiteflies, aphids, psyllids, and armoured and soft scales), Thysanoptera (thrips), Acarina (mites), and Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths, and their larvae). Preferably, the compositions of the present invention can be applied against whiteflies, aphids, and thrips.

[0067] Useful plant crops in which the compositions according to the invention can be used include perennial and annual crops, such as berry plants, such as blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry; cereals, such as barley, maize (corn), millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, and wheat; fiber plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp, jute, and sisal; field crops, such as sugar beet and fodder beet, coffee bean, hops, mustard, rapeseed (canola), poppy, sugar cane, sunflower, tea, and tobacco; fruit trees, such as apple, apricot, avocado, banana, cherry, citrus, nectarine, peach, pear, and plum; grasses, such as Bermuda grass, bluegrass, bentgrass, centipede grass, foxtail, ryegrass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysiagrass; herbs, such as basil, borage, chive, coriander, lavender, lovage, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme; legumes, such as kidney bean, lentil, pea, and soybean; nuts, such as almond, cashew, groundnut, hazelnut, peanut, pecan, pistachio, and walnut; palm plants, such as oil palm; ornamental plants, such as flowers, shrubs, and trees; other trees, such as cacao tree, coconut tree, olive tree, and rubber tree; vegetables, such as asparagus, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, zucchini, melon, watermelon, okra, onion, leek, pepper, potato, pumpkin, squash, rhubarb, spinach, and tomato; and grapevines, such as grape. The compositions of the invention can also be applied to turf, lawns, and pastures.

[0068] Preferably, the compositions of the invention can be applied to crops of useful plants selected from:

[0069] - Solanaceae (including tomato, potato, eggplant, chili pepper, pepper, tobacco);

[0070] - Cucurbitaceae (including squash, pumpkin, watermelon, melon, cucumber);

[0071] - Alliaceae (including onion, garlic, leek);

[0072] - Asparagaceae (including asparagus).

[0073] Preferably, the compositions of the invention can be applied to crops of useful plants selected from: cucumber, squash, pepper, melon, watermelon, tomato, eggplant, zucchini, or gourd.

[0074] The application rate of the agrochemical composition of the present invention depends on the specific type of insects, etc. to be controlled, the degree of control required, and the timing and method of application and can be readily determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Generally, the compositions of the present invention can be applied at an application rate between 0.005 kilograms per hectare (kg / ha) and about 5.0 kg / ha, based on the total amount of active ingredient in the composition. Application rates between about 0.1 kg / ha and about 1.5 kg / ha are preferred, with application rates between about 0.3 g / ha and 0.8 kg / ha being particularly preferred.

[0075] Other additional components that can be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention include crystallization inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, dyes, antioxidants, foaming agents, light absorbers, mixing aids, defoamers, complexing agents, substances for neutralizing or altering the pH and buffers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, wetting agents, absorption enhancers, micronutrients, plasticizers, glidants, lubricants, dispersants, fillers, thickeners, antifreeze agents, microbicides, and liquid and solid fertilizers.

[0076] The compositions of the present invention, when in agrochemical formulations, can have many other benefits, including in particular prevention of sedimentation, thickening, phase separation, turbidity, foaming or crystal growth, improved chemical stability (degradation) of the active ingredient, long-term formulation stability, or reduced nozzle clogging and spray drift during application.

[0077] Example:

[0078] The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention and demonstrate how various compositions containing Compound 1 (i.e., ethyl 2-(4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-4-methyl-3-oxo-4,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-1-yl carbonate - CAS No.: 1229023-00-0) as the active ingredient provide an acceptable level of insect control and acceptable crop safety characteristics relative to the presence of adjuvants. Compound 1 can be prepared according to the procedures described in WO 2010 / 066780, WO2018 / 114649, and WO 2018 / 114648.

[0079] The commercially available adjuvants in the compositions for the examples are PE 6400 (BASF AG) and PE 10500 (BASF Corporation), which are ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymers having a molecular mass (g / mol) in the range of 2500 to 7000. LF 404 is a low-foaming nonionic surfactant mainly composed of ethoxylated and propoxylated C13 to C 15 consisting of alcohol (liquid at 23 °C).

[0080] The insecticidal activity and crop safety were tested on 4-week-old Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) plants infested with green peach aphids (Myzus persicae). The plants were treated with horizontal spraying at the stated rates and cultivated at 22 °C, a 14-hour light regime and approximately 60% relative humidity. The plants used for efficacy (activity) assessment were infested with a mixed-age population of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) for two hours and six days after application. The plants used for crop safety assessment were not infested and were kept separately, but under the same environmental conditions. One week and two weeks after application, the efficacy (i.e., aphid control compared to the check) and crop safety (i.e., phytotoxicity compared to the untreated plants) of each individual treatment were evaluated. Each treatment was carried out in triplicate, i.e., three separate plants.

[0081] The insecticidal activity of Compositions A-1 to I-1 was evaluated relative to an ethoprophos formulation (applied at 50 g / ha of active ingredient, with rapeseed methyl ester (RME) EW40 as adjuvant, in a 1:2 weight ratio) that provided a 100 score (acceptable activity) as a standard.

[0082] The crop safety of Compositions A-2 to I-2 with the same weight ratio of active ingredient to adjuvant as Formulations A-1 to I-1 was evaluated relative to a formulation (applied at 100 g / ha of active ingredient, with rapeseed methyl ester (RME) EW40 standard as adjuvant) that provided a 100 score (acceptable crop safety) as a standard.

[0083] The relative performance of Formulations A-1 to I-1 (activity) and A-2 to I-2 (crop safety) was scored and rated against the respective standards based on the following:

[0084] For activity at the specified active ingredient application rate, a (- / -) rating was considered unacceptable and (-), (+) or (+ / +) ratings were considered acceptable.

[0085] - / - less than 90.

[0086] - 90 - 99.

[0087] + 101 - 110.

[0088] + / + greater than 110.

[0089] For crop safety at the specified active ingredient application rate, a (- / -) rating was considered unacceptable and (-), (+) or (+ / +) ratings were considered acceptable.

[0090] + / + Less than 90.

[0091] + 90 - 99.

[0092] - 101 - 110.

[0093] - / - Greater than 110.

[0094] Table 1:

[0095]

[0096]

[0097] For formulations A to F - the adjuvant for component (a) is PE 6400.

[0098] For formulations G to I - the adjuvant for component (a) is PE 10500.

[0099] The adjuvant for component (b) (when present) is LF 404.

[0100] As can be seen from Table 1, according to the present invention only compositions B, C, F and I having a weight ratio between compound 1 and adjuvants (a) and (b) do not obtain an unacceptable (- / -) rating for insecticidal activity or an unacceptable (- / -) rating for crop safety against the standard formulation.

Claims

1. A pesticidal composition, which is a suspension concentrate and comprises: (i) A compound of formula (I) as an active ingredient: and (ii) An adjuvant combination comprising the following components: (a) An ethylene oxide / methyl ethylene oxide block copolymer comprising a POE-POP-POE sequence, where POE represents a polyethylene oxide block and POP represents a polypropylene oxide block, and where the copolymer has a molecular mass of 2500 to 7000 (g / mol); and (b) Alcohol alkoxylates, which are ethoxylated and / or propoxylated C 12 to C 15 fatty alcohols; where the weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is 1:1 to 3:1; and the weight ratio of component (i) to (ii) is 1:2 to 1:

3.

2. The composition according to claim 1, which further comprises one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of: emulsifiers, dispersants, wetting agents, antifreeze agents, defoaming agents, biocides, solvents, stabilizers, pigments, buffering agents, and fillers.

3. An aqueous dilution composition comprising the pesticidal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. A non-therapeutic method of combating and controlling pests, the method comprising applying the composition according to claim 3 to the pests, to the places of the pests, or to the crops of useful plants vulnerable to pest attack.

5. A method of controlling pests, the method comprising applying the composition according to claim 3 to the soil of the crops of useful plants, wherein, the application is carried out by drip, soak, or injection into the soil.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, the pests are selected from the order Homoptera, Thysanoptera, Acarina, or Lepidoptera.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the pests are selected from whiteflies, aphids, thrips.

8. The method according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, the plants are selected from the Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Alliaceae, or Asparagaceae.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the plants are selected from cucumber, zucchini, pepper, melon, watermelon, tomato, eggplant, courgette, or gourd.

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