Pest control composition

Abstract

The present invention provides a pest control composition comprising: a polymer wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of from 15,000 Daltons to 30,000 Daltons and contains from 50% by weight to 70% by weight of a monomer structural unit derived from a monomer having a log P of from 2.0 to 6.0; bacillus thuringiensis; and water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to pest control compositions, and more particularly to pest control compositions comprising Bacillus thuringiensis. Background Art

[0002] Pest control agents are used to control pests, such as insects. The effectiveness of a pest control agent can be affected by a variety of factors. Industry is continually striving to develop new and improved pest control compositions. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the first feature of the present disclosure, a pest control composition comprises: a polymer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 30,000 Daltons and contains 50% to 70% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0; Bacillus thuringiensis; and water. According to the second feature, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water, the polymer accounts for 0.10% to 20.00% by weight of the composition. According to the third feature, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water, water accounts for 60.00% to 99.89% by weight of the composition. According to the fourth feature, the polymer contains 50% to 70% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.75 to 4.08. According to the fifth feature, the polymer contains 90% by weight or more of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 1.0 or greater. According to the sixth feature, the polymer includes one or more of (i) a copolymer of diisobutylene and maleic anhydride, (ii) a copolymer of butyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid, and (iii) a combination thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0005] Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges are inclusive. Subscript values ​​in polymer formulas refer to the molar average of the designated components of the polymer.

[0006] Test methods refer to the most recent test methods as of the priority date of this document, unless the date is expressed as a two-digit number with a hyphen in the test method number. Reference to a test method includes reference to both the testing association and the test method number. Test method organizations are referenced by one of the following abbreviations: ASTM refers to ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials); EN refers to European Standards; DIN refers to the German Institute for Standardization; and ISO refers to the International Organization for Standardization.

[0007] As used herein, unless specifically stated to the contrary, "wt %" or "weight percent" or "weight %" of a component is based on the total weight of the composition or article including the component. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages are by weight.

[0008] Disclosed herein are pest control compositions. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide pest control compositions comprising a polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis.

[0009] The pest control compositions disclosed herein can be applied to plants, such as plant surfaces, to control pests. Advantageously, the pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved (i.e., higher) residual protein concentrations for Bacillus thuringiensis after exposure to rainwater compared to other formulations. The improved residual protein concentrations indicate that the pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide improved pest control compared to other formulations.

[0010] In addition, the pest control compositions disclosed herein can provide a percentage of Bacillus thuringiensis activity that remains greater than 80% after exposure to rain. A percentage of Bacillus thuringiensis activity that remains greater than 80% can indicate a desirable degree of rain tolerance.

[0011] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include a polymer. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, "one" refers to one or more. As used herein, a "polymer" has two or more identical or different monomer structural units derived from two or more different monomers, such as copolymers, terpolymers, etc. As used herein, "monomer structural unit" with respect to a polymer represents a part of a polymer structure produced by one or more monomer reactions to form a polymer. "Different" with respect to a monomer structural unit indicates that the monomer structural units differ from each other by at least one atom or isomer. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide that the monomer structural units of a polymer are produced by the polymerization reaction of a monomer, i.e., formed. The monomer structural units provided by one or more embodiments may undergo one or more reactions, such as a hydrolysis reaction, after the polymerization reaction.

[0012] The polymers provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure contain 50% to 70% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers (i.e., one or more monomers) having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0, based on the total weight of the polymer. The polymer may contain more than 90% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P greater than 1.0.

[0013] One or more of the monomer structural units may have 1.0 or more, or 1.2 or more, or 1.4 or more, or 1.6 or more, or 1.8 or more, or 2.0 or more, or 2.2 or more, or 2.4 or more, or 2.6 or more, or 2.8 or more, or 3.0 or more, or 3.2 or more, or 3.4 or more, or 3.6 or more, or 3.8 or more, or 4.0 or more, or 4.2 or more, or 4.4 or more, or 4.6 or more, or 4.8 or more, or 5.0 or more, or 5.2 or more, or 5.4 or more, or 5.6 or more, or 5.8 or greater, while at the same time, 6.0 or less, or 5.8 or less, or 5.6 or less, or 5.4 or less, or 5.2 or less, or 5.0 or less, or 4.8 or less, or 4.6 or less, or 4.4 or less, or 4.2 or less, or 4.0 or less, or 3.8 or less, or 3.6 or less, or 3.4 or less, or 3.2 or less, or 3.0 or less, or 2.8 or less, or 2.6 or less, or 2.4 or less, or 2.2 or less, or 2.0 or less, or 1.8 or less, or 1.6 or less, or 1.4 or less, or 1.2 or less of log P. Log P values ​​were obtained by utilizing the Evaluation Program Interface (EPI) Suite available at https: / / www.epa.gov / tsca-screening-tools / epi-suitetm-estimation-program-interface TM (KOWWIN version 1.68) to determine.

[0014] Exemplary monomers for the polymer include, but are not limited to, diisobutylene (log P of 4.08), butyl methacrylate (log P of 2.75), butyl acrylate (log P of 2.20), methyl methacrylate (log P of 1.28), ethyl acrylate (log P of 1.22), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (log P of 4.09), styrene (log P of 2.89), maleic anhydride (log P of 1.62), behenyl methacrylate (log P of 11.59), and combinations thereof.

[0015] As described above, the polymer may contain from 20% to 100% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0. For example, the polymer may contain 52% by weight or more, or 54% by weight or more, or 56% by weight or more, or 58% by weight or more, or 60% by weight or more, or 62% by weight or more, or 64% by weight or more, or 66% by weight or more, or 68% by weight or more, while 70% by weight or less, or 68% by weight or less, or 66% by weight or less, or 64% by weight or less, or 62% by weight or less, or 60% by weight or less, or 58% by weight or less, or 56% by weight or less, or 54% by weight or less, or 52% by weight or less of monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0.

[0016] As described above, the polymer may contain 90% by weight of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P greater than or equal to 1.0. For example, the polymer may contain 91% by weight or more, or 92% by weight or more, or 93% by weight or more, or 94% by weight or more, or 95% by weight or more, or 96% by weight or more, or 97% by weight or more, or 98% by weight or more, or 99% by weight or more, while 100% by weight or less, or 99% by weight or less, or 98% by weight or less, or 97% by weight or less, or 96% by weight or less, or 95% by weight or less, or 94% by weight or less, or 93% by weight or less, or 92% by weight or less, or 91% by weight or less of monomers having a log P of 1.0 or greater, based on the total weight of the polymer.

[0017] The polymer may include structural units from one or more of itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, acryloxypropionic acid, citraconic acid, methyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide polymers having a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 30,000 Daltons. For example, the polymer may have 15,000 Daltons or greater, or 16,000 Daltons or greater, or 17,000 Daltons or greater, or 18,000 Daltons or greater, or 19,000 Daltons or greater, or 20,000 Daltons or greater, or 21,000 Daltons or greater, or 22,000 Daltons or greater, or 23,000 Daltons or greater, or 24,000 Daltons or greater, or 25,000 Daltons or greater, or 26,000 Daltons or greater, or 27,000 Daltons or greater, or 28,000 Daltons or greater, or 29,000 Daltons or greater, And at the same time, 30,000 Daltons or less, or 29,000 Daltons or less, or 28,000 Daltons or less, or 27,000 Daltons or less, or 26,000 Daltons or less, or 25,000 Daltons or less, or 24,000 Daltons or less, or 23,000 Daltons or less, or 22,000 Daltons or less, or 21,000 Daltons or less, or 20,000 Daltons or less, or 19,000 Daltons or less, or 18,000 Daltons or less, or 17,000 Daltons or less, or 16,000 Daltons or less weight average molecular weight. The weight average molecular weight of the polymer is determined using gel permeation chromatography.

[0019] The polymer can be prepared using known equipment, reaction components and reaction conditions. For example, the polymer can be prepared by known polymerization (e.g., solution polymerization). Solution polymerization of monomers (i.e., the monomers discussed herein) can be carried out in, for example, a non-aqueous solvent. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, toluene, xylene, propylene glycol, methyl ethyl ketone, and combinations thereof. Solution polymerization may include a solvent-soluble initiator. Examples of initiators include, but are not limited to:

[0020] Tert-butyl peroctanoate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, AIBN, 2,2-azobis(2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile), tert-butyl peroxybenzoate, and combinations thereof. For example, 0.01 wt % to 1.00 wt % of initiator can be used based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the solution polymerization. Solution polymerization can utilize chain transfer agents. Examples of chain transfer agents include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-methylmercaptopropionic acid, n-dodecyl mercaptan, tert-dodecyl mercaptan, and combinations thereof. For example, 0.01 wt % to 5.00 wt % of chain transfer agents can be used based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the solution polymerization. The use of mercaptan modifiers can reduce the molecular weight of the polymer. Other known components can be used for solution polymerization; different amounts of these other known components can be used for various applications.

[0021] The polymer can be prepared by known polymerization (e.g., emulsion polymerization). Emulsion polymerization can utilize a surfactant. Examples of surfactants include, but are not limited to, anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and ethoxylated sulfosuccinic acid. 10 ] sodium alcohol half ester and combinations thereof. For example, based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the emulsion polymerization, 0.5 wt % to 6.0 wt % of a surfactant may be used. For example, the emulsion polymerization may utilize an initiator, such as a water-soluble initiator. Examples of initiators include, but are not limited to, alkali metal persulfates, ammonium persulfate, and combinations thereof. Based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the emulsion polymerization, 0.01 wt % to 1.00 wt % of an initiator may be utilized. The emulsion polymerization may utilize chain transfer mercaptan. Examples of chain transfer mercaptan include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptopropionic acid, 3-methylmercaptopropionic acid, alkyl mercaptan containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof. Based on the total weight of the monomers utilized in the emulsion polymerization, the amount of chain transfer mercaptan may be

[0022] 0.01 wt% to 5.00 wt%. The use of a mercaptan modifier can reduce the molecular weight of the polymer. Other known components can be used in the emulsion polymerization; different amounts of these other known components can be used for various applications.

[0023] The polymers are commercially available under various trade names.

[0024] As described above, the monomer building blocks of the polymers described herein may undergo one or more reactions after the polymerization reaction (eg, a hydrolysis reaction). The hydrolysis reaction may include, for example, the hydrolysis of an ester to an acid or the ring opening of an anhydride to an acid.

[0025] The pest control composition disclosed herein comprises Bacillus thuringiensis. As defined herein, "Bacillus thuringiensis" is the spores and / or crystalline proteins of the Bacillus thuringiensis species, and includes all Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies that exhibit insecticidal properties. Examples of such subspecies include Kurstaki, Israelensis, and Aizawa. Bacillus thuringiensis can be added to the insecticide formulation as a solid or as part of a liquid formulation. The presence and subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis are determined by random amplification polymorphic DNA analysis. A commercially available liquid formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis is THURICIDE available from CERTIS USA in Columbia, Maryland. TM Insecticide.

[0026] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include water. The pest control composition provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is a solution, that is, the polymer and Bacillus thuringiensis are both water-soluble. Advantageously, the pest control composition disclosed herein can overcome many problems, such as using less components used together with emulsions and / or dispersions and / or redispersible polymers, such as surfactants. Different applications can use different amounts of water.

[0027] The pest control composition disclosed herein provided by one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include additives. Examples of additives include viscosity modifiers, pH modifiers, herbicides, fungicides, and combinations thereof, etc. Different amounts of additives can be used for various applications.

[0028] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include 0.10 wt % to 20.00 wt % of the polymer based on the total weight of the combination of polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water. All individual values ​​and subranges from 0.10 wt % to 20.00 wt % are included; for example, the pest control composition may include a lower limit of 0.10 wt %, 0.15 wt %, 0.20 wt %, 0.25 wt % or 0.30 wt % to an upper limit of 20.00 wt %, 15.00 wt %, 10.00 wt %, 9.00 wt % or 8.00 wt % of the polymer based on the total weight of the combination of polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water.

[0029] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include 0.01 wt % to 20.00 wt % of Bacillus thuringiensis based on the total weight of the combination of polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water. All individual values ​​and subranges from 0.01 wt % to 20.00 wt % are included; for example, the pest control composition may include a lower limit of 0.01 wt %, 0.02 wt %, 0.03 wt %, 0.04 wt % or 0.05 wt % to an upper limit of 20.00 wt %, 15.00 wt %, 10.00 wt %, 7.50 wt %, 5.00 wt %, 4.75 wt % or 4.50 wt % of Bacillus thuringiensis based on the total weight of the combination of polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water.

[0030] The pest control composition disclosed herein may include 60.00 wt % to 99.89 wt % of water based on the total weight of the combination of polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water. All individual values ​​and subranges from 60.00 wt % to 99.89 wt % are included; for example, the pest control composition may include a lower limit of 60.00 wt %, 65.00 wt %, 70.00 wt %, 75.00 wt % or 80.00 wt % to an upper limit of 99.89 wt %, 99.80 wt %, 99.00 wt %, 98.00 wt % or 95.00 wt % of water based on the total weight of the combination of polymer, Bacillus thuringiensis and water.

[0031] The pest control composition disclosed herein can be formed using known equipment and methods. The components of the pest control composition can be combined (e.g., mixed) to form the pest control composition. For example, the components of the pest control composition can be added to a container and stirred therein. The components of the pest control composition can be combined in any order.

[0032] The pest control composition disclosed herein can be applied to plants, such as plant surfaces, to control pests. The pest control composition can be applied to plants using known equipment and methods. For example, the pest control composition can be sprayed, sprinkled and / or poured onto plants, among other applications. Different amounts of the pest control composition can be applied to plants for various applications.

[0033] Example

[0034] In the Examples, various terms and names of materials are used, and these terms and names include, for example, the following:

[0035] BOND MAX TM (spreading agent / adhesive, obtained from Loveland Products); DIPEL TM PRO DF (dried preparation, Bacillus thuringiensis, manufactured by Valent Biosciences); THURICIDE TM (liquid preparation, Bacillus thuringiensis, manufactured by Certis); NU FILM 17 TM (adhesion-extension aid, available from Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corporation); NU FILM P TM (adhesion-extension aid, available from Miller Chemical & Fertilizer Corporation); AD-HERE SP TM(deposition aid, available from JRSimplot Company); spreading agent / adhesive (polymerized terpenes, including terpene resins, tall oil fatty acids, and alkylphenol ethoxylates; CAS Registry No. 48813-50017-AA); polyacrylic acid-1 (hydrophilic dispersant, sodium neutralized, weight average molecular weight 5,100 Daltons, CAS Registry No. 9003-04-7, available from SIGMA-ALDRICH TM ), polyacrylic acid-2 (hydrophilic dispersant, acidic, weight average molecular weight 250,000 Daltons, CAS registration number 9003-01-4, obtained from SIGMA-ALDRICH TM ), polyacrylic acid-3 (hydrophilic dispersant, ammonium neutralized, weight average molecular weight 5,000 Daltons, CAS Registry No. 9003-01-4, obtained from Polysciences, Inc.), polyacrylic acid-4 (hydrophilic dispersant, ammonium neutralized, weight average molecular weight 250,000 Daltons, CAS Registry No. 9003-01-4, obtained from SIGMA-ALDRICH TM ).

[0036] Polymer-1 is formed as follows. A copolymer derived from diisobutylene and maleic anhydride is formed by solution polymerization. The weight % of polymer-1 formed from monomer structural units of diisobutylene is 45 weight % to 55 weight %, and the remainder is maleic anhydride. The polymer is hydrolyzed with aqueous ammonia to obtain polymer-1. Polymer-1 has a weight average molecular weight of about 16,500 Daltons.

[0037] Polymer-2 was formed as follows. A random copolymer was formed using solution polymerization, the random copolymer having about 60 to 70 weight percent monomer structural units derived from butyl methacrylate and about 30 to 40 weight percent monomer structural units derived from methacrylic acid. Polymer-2 was neutralized with ammonia to form an ammonium salt of an acrylic acid copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 27,000 Daltons.

[0038] Polymer-3 was formed as follows. A polymer having about 60 to 70 wt % of monomer structural units derived from butyl methacrylate and about 30 to 40 wt % of monomer structural units derived from methacrylic acid was formed using emulsion polymerization. Polymer-3 had a weight average molecular weight of about 15,000 Daltons.

[0039] Example 1, a pest control composition, was prepared as follows. Polymer-1 was diluted with deionized water to obtain a solution (5 wt % aqueous solution of polymer-1). The solution (2 mL), DIPEL TM PRO DF (2 g) and water (16 g) were combined and mixed with a magnetic stir bar to give Example 1.

[0040] Example 2, a pest control composition, was formed as Example 1, except that Polymer-2 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0041] Example 3, a pest control composition, was formed as Example 1, except that Polymer-3 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0042] Comparative Example A was formed as in Example 1, except that BOND MAX TM Instead of polymer-1.

[0043] Comparative Example B was formed as Example 1, except that Polymer-1 was not utilized.

[0044] The residual protein concentration and Bacillus thuringiensis activity of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples AB were determined as follows.

[0045] Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples AB were each diluted with water to provide a concentration of 2.5 grams of Bacillus thuringiensis per liter. Several pieces of paraffin film (2 inches x 4 inches) were placed on black Leneta cards, and the paraffin film was gently wiped with a Kimwipe, and then the paraffin film paper was removed. Using an automatic pipette, 15 drops (15 μL-30 μL) of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples AB were randomly placed on the corresponding paraffin film in an array, using one paraffin film for each example / comparative example; the sample was vortexed between each group of 5 drops to maintain the consistency of the composition. The paraffin film was then dried in an incubator at about 28°C for about 1 hour.

[0046] The dried parafilm was then subjected to simulated rainfall as follows. Each dried parafilm was placed separately in an ExoTerra Monsoon RS400 Rainfal system (equipped with 2 Exo Terra standard nozzles without any extensions); the parafilm was 13 inches from the nozzle. Water was sprayed onto the parafilm at a flow rate of 1.5 liters / hour (measured at the substrate interface) for 5 minutes; the parafilm was then allowed to dry.

[0047] After exposure to simulated rainfall, the samples were extracted. For extraction, each corresponding parafilm was cut so that each point generated by the droplet was centered on approximately 0.25 square inches. For each corresponding parafilm, all cut dashed squares were placed in a glass vial, to which sodium dodecyl sulfate solution (1 ml, 2 wt% sodium dodecyl sulfate in water) was added. Each glass vial was then sonicated and soaked for approximately 8 hours. The sonication was repeated three times for extraction.

[0048] The residual protein concentration was determined by bicinchoninic acid assay (BCA) as follows.

[0049] PIERCE TM BCA Protein Assay Reagent A and PIERCE TM BCA Protein Assay Reagent B (both obtained from Thermo Scientific TM ) was obtained by combining reagent A (2 ml) and reagent B (40 μl) to form a reagent mixture.

[0050] One hundred (100) microliters of each extraction sample (Extracted Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples AB) was placed in a corresponding cuvette; then the reagent mixture (2 milliliters) was added to each cuvette; and then the cuvette was incubated at 30°C for approximately 2 hours. The residual protein concentration was determined using the absorbance measured at 562 nm using a Cary 100 UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The residual protein concentration (i.e., the weight percent of active protein remaining after simulated rainfall) results are reported in Table 1.

[0051] Table 1

[0052] Example (weight%) Example 1 47±3 Example 2 45±2 Example 3 6±1 Comparative Example A 0 Comparative Example B 0

[0053] The data in Table 1 demonstrate that each of Examples 1-3 had an improved (ie, higher) residual protein concentration compared to Comparative Examples AB.

[0054] Use 0.1 wt% 20 solution The above solutions extracted from Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples AB were diluted to the desired starting concentration, and then serially diluted and plated at appropriate concentrations. The resulting Bacillus thuringiensis activities are reported in Table 2.

[0055] Table 2

[0056]

[0057] The data in Table 2 show that the percentage of Bacillus thuringiensis activity retained in each of Examples 1-3 was greater than 80%.

[0058] Example 4, a pest control composition, was formed as follows. Polymer-1 was diluted with deionized water to obtain a solution (5 wt % aqueous solution of Polymer-1). Solution (1 mL). THURICIDE TM (2 g) and water (17 g) were combined and mixed with a magnetic stir bar to give Example 4.

[0059] Example 5, a pest control composition, was formed as Example 4, except that Polymer-2 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0060] Example 6, a pest control composition, was formed as in Example 4, except that Polymer-3 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0061] Comparative Example C was formed as in Example 4 except that

[0062] Using NU FILM 17 TM Instead of polymer-1.

[0063] Comparative Example D was formed as in Example 4, except that NU FILM P was used. TM Instead of polymer-1.

[0064] Comparative Example E was formed as in Example 4, except that AD-HERE SP TM Instead of polymer-1.

[0065] Comparative Example F was formed as Example 4, except that a spreading agent / adhesive (polymeric terpene) was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0066] Comparative Example G was formed as Example 4, except that Polymer-1 was not utilized.

[0067] Comparative Example H was formed as Example 4, except that Polyacrylic Acid-1 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0068] Comparative Example I was formed as Example 4, except that Polyacrylic Acid-2 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0069] Comparative Example J was formed as Example 4, except that Polyacrylic Acid-3 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0070] Comparative Example K was formed as Example 4, except that Polyacrylic Acid-4 was utilized instead of Polymer-1.

[0071] Examples 4-6 and Comparative Example CK were each diluted with water to provide a concentration of 71 grams of Bacillus thuringiensis per liter. Several pieces of paraffin film (2 inches x 4 inches) were placed on black Leneta cards, and the paraffin film was gently wiped with a Kimwipe, and then the paraffin film paper was removed. Using an automatic pipette, 15 drops (15 μL-30 μL) of Examples 4-6 and Comparative Example CK were randomly placed on the corresponding paraffin film in an array, using one paraffin film for each example / comparative example; the samples were vortex mixed between each group of 5 drops to maintain the consistency of the composition. The paraffin film was then dried in an incubator at about 28°C for about 1 hour. As discussed previously, the residual protein concentration and Bacillus thuringiensis activity of Examples 4-6 and Comparative Example CK were determined. The residual protein concentration (i.e., the weight % of active protein remaining after simulated rainfall) results are reported in Table 3, and the Bacillus thuringiensis activity is reported in Table 4.

[0072] Table 3

[0073]

[0074] The data in Table 3 show that each of Examples 4-6 had an improved (ie, higher) residual protein concentration compared to each of Comparative Examples CK.

[0075] Table 4

[0076]

[0077]

[0078] The data in Table 4 show that the percentage of Bacillus thuringiensis activity retained in each of Examples 4-6 was greater than 80%.

Claims

1. A pest control composition comprising: A polymer, wherein the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 15,000 to 30,000 Daltons and contains 50 to 70 weight percent of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.0 to 6.0; Bacillus thuringiensis; as well as water.

2. The pest control composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises 0.10 wt% to 20.00 wt% of the composition, based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer, the Bacillus thuringiensis and the water.

3. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the water accounts for 60.00 wt% to 99.89 wt% of the composition based on the total weight of the combination of the polymer, the Bacillus thuringiensis and the water.

4. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polymer contains 50 to 70 wt% of monomer structural units derived from monomers having a log P of 2.75 to 4.

08.

5. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polymer contains 90% by weight or more of monomer structural units derived from a monomer having a log P of 1.0 or more.

6. The pest control composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polymer comprises one or more of (i) a copolymer of diisobutylene and maleic anhydride, (ii) a copolymer of butyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid, and (iii) a combination thereof.

Images