Insecticide for preventing and controlling small plant pests and application thereof

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of plant pest control, and discloses an insecticide for preventing and controlling small plant pests and application thereof, the main effective component of the insecticide is jojoba oil, and the jojoba oil is prepared by squeezing jojoba seeds. The crude jojoba oil can be processed to be prepared into a pesticide preparation, and the pesticide preparation has a good control effect on aphids, thrips, scale insects and other small insects. The jojoba oil is mixed with a chemical agent, so that a synergistic effect is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plant pest control, and in particular to an insecticide for controlling small plant pests and its application. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the gradual increase in the scale of agricultural production, the damage and impact of small pests have become increasingly prominent. Due to their small size, ease of concealment, multiple generations, and strong resistance, small pests are not easily detected in their early stages, which can lead to a series of problems such as delayed control measures. Especially during the fruit ripening period, the use of chemical agents is restricted, and fruit safety has become the most troublesome issue. Biological agents and natural enemy products are undoubtedly the best choices for fruit farmers.

[0003] Jojoba oil is the oil found in the seeds of the jojoba plant (also known as jojoba). Jojoba oil has good permeability.

[0004] Currently, virgin jojoba oil, obtained through the first cold pressing, retains the most precious original substances and is often referred to as "liquid gold," widely used in essential oils, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Oil that has undergone multiple low-temperature extractions and solvent treatment is used industrially as a lubricant in high-tech fields such as aerospace, artificial hearts, precision instruments, and specialized machinery. However, there is currently no research on the application of jojoba oil in the pesticide field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides an insecticide for controlling small plant pests and its application.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to achieve the above objectives is as follows: An insecticide for controlling small plant pests, the main active ingredient of which is crude jojoba oil.

[0007] Furthermore, the insecticide is processed into a formulation acceptable to the pesticide industry.

[0008] Furthermore, the method for preparing the jojoba crude oil includes raw material screening, pretreatment, pressing, and filtration. Jojoba oilseeds are collected, dried, and dehulled. They are then pressed into uniformly thick sheets using a pressing mill and fed into the pressing chamber. The screw press generates compression friction, causing the oil to be squeezed out of the sheet. A second pressing is typically used to further increase the oil yield. The pressed crude oil is then passed through a plate and frame filter press or vibrating screen to remove cake residue, yielding the jojoba crude oil.

[0009] Jojoba crude oil is processed into an insecticide, the composition of which, by weight percentage, comprises: 25%-75% jojoba crude oil, 10% emulsifier, and the balance being solvent. The emulsifier is a combination of agricultural emulsion 500# and EL-40.

[0010] The main active ingredient of the insecticide also includes chemical insecticides. These chemical insecticides include imidacloprid and acetamiprid.

[0011] Furthermore, the volume ratio of the jojoba oil crude to the chemical pesticide is (1:3) to (2:1).

[0012] The present invention also provides the application of the above-mentioned insecticide containing jojoba oil in the control of small pests of fruit trees. Beneficial effects

[0013] This invention relates to a plant-derived insecticide. Its main component, jojoba oil, is a liquid wax ester. Its mechanism of action is that when the insect's body is coated with jojoba oil, the wax ester seals the pores on the insect's surface, causing the insect to suffocate and die. It is particularly effective against small insects with high resistance. Compared to purely chemical insecticides, this invention is environmentally friendly, and there is currently no research on the possibility of developing resistance. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

[0015] This invention relates to an insecticide for controlling small plant pests, the main active ingredient of which is crude jojoba oil.

[0016] The above-mentioned insecticides can be processed into formulations acceptable to the pesticide industry using conventional methods; formulations include emulsifiable concentrates, dispersible oil suspensions, microemulsions, and water-in-oil emulsions.

[0017] The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. Example 1

[0018] The preparation method of jojoba oil includes: raw material screening, pretreatment, pressing, and filtration. Jojoba seeds are collected, dried, and dehulled. They are then pressed into uniformly thick sheets using a pressing mill and fed into the pressing chamber. The screw press generates compression friction, and cold pressing extracts the oil from the stock. A second pressing is usually used to further increase the oil yield. The crude oil after pressing is then filtered through a plate and frame filter press or vibrating screen to remove cake residue, yielding crude jojoba oil.

[0019] Jojoba crude oil was processed into jojoba emulsifiable concentrate, and different proportions of jojoba emulsifiable concentrate were prepared according to the conventional emulsifiable concentrate preparation method. The formulations are shown in the table below:

[0020] illustrate: 1. Components of an emulsifiable concentrate formulation: active ingredient, emulsifier, solvent; 2. For emulsifier selection, a combination of anionic and nonionic SAAs, or even three types of emulsifiers, should be used. For example, Agricultural Emulsifier 500# is calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (anionic), and EL-40 is castor oil polyoxyethylene ether (nonionic).

[0021] 3. Solvent Selection: Methanol is not recommended for this formulation because: its flash point is too low; polar solvents require high-quality packaging materials; and due to the "like dissolves like" principle, it easily absorbs moisture from the air, causing the product to exceed moisture limits. It is recommended to use 150# solvent oil (C10 heavy aromatic solvent). Example 2

[0022] The experiment was conducted in the central laboratory of the Zhenjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province. The bioactivity of jojoba oil against pear aphids was determined using the leaf-dip method. Jojoba oil was dissolved in xylene to prepare a 10000 μg / ml stock solution. This stock solution was diluted with water to prepare five concentrations: 640, 320, 160, 80, and 40 μg / ml, decreasing by a factor of 2. 0.1% (volume) Tween-80 was added to each treatment. A control treatment was prepared using water containing an equal volume of Tween-80 and xylene. Pear leaves containing 30 adult aphids of uniform size were immersed in the stock solution for 15 seconds, removed, and the petioles were wrapped with moistened cotton, dried, and placed in petri dishes (Φ=12cm) lined with absorbent paper. To prevent aphid escape, the petri dishes were sealed with plastic wrap and punctured with a needle for ventilation. Each treatment was repeated three times. The number of surviving aphids was checked after 24 hours. The mortality rate and corrected mortality rate were calculated, and the toxicity regression equation and LD50 were calculated using the probability value method. 50 Values. All calculations were performed using DPS data processing software.

[0023] The results are as follows: Table 1. Toxicity equation and LD50 of jojoba oil against pear aphids at 24 h 50

[0024] The above results indicate that the jojoba crude oil of the present invention can achieve a good insect-repellent effect. Example 3

[0025] The experiment was conducted at the Huayangyuan Fruit Tree Experimental Base of the Zhenjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province (31°57'N, 119°12'E). The peach variety was Fuxiao, with trees aged 4-5 years and a spacing of 3m x 3m. The orchard management was average, and pest infestations were severe in previous years. The main pests included leafhoppers, thrips, aphids, jewel beetles, and fruit flies, with spring being the peak period for pest activity.

[0026] The experiment included four treatments: 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate at dilutions of 500, 1000, and 2000 times, and water (blank control). Each treatment involved four trees, with three replicates. Peach aphids first appeared on April 1, 2024, at which time pesticide application began. An electric sprayer was used, ensuring even coverage of both the inner and outer surfaces of the leaves until dripping wet. Five affected shoots were fixed on each tree (east, south, west, north, and center). Five branches were taken from each treatment, and the number of live aphids on the top 5-10 leaves of each branch was observed and recorded. A total of four surveys were conducted: one before pesticide application and three after pesticide application (1, 3, and 7 days post-application). Changes in aphid populations were recorded, and the population reduction rate was calculated.

[0027] Control efficacy (%) = [1 - (number of insects before treatment in the blank control area × number of insects after treatment in the treated area) / (number of insects after treatment in the blank control area × number of insects before treatment in the treated area)] × 100 The results are as follows: Table 2 Field control efficacy of 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate against peach aphids.

[0028] The above results indicate that the 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate of this invention can achieve good insect control. On the third day after application, the 500-fold dilution of the 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate achieved a control efficacy of 90.89% against aphids, and the control efficacy was 90.83% seven days after application, effectively controlling peach aphid damage. Example 4

[0029] The experiment was conducted at the Huayangyuan Tea Tree Experimental Base of the Zhenjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Province (31°57'N, 119°12'E). The experimental crop was tea trees, and the target pest was the black spiny whitefly.

[0030] The experiment included five treatments: 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate at dilutions of 500, 1000, and 2000 times, and water (blank control). Each treatment plot was 40 square meters, with three replicates. On May 20, 2024, when black-spined whitefly nymphs began damaging tea leaves, pesticide application began. An electric sprayer was used to ensure even coverage of both sides of the leaves. A five-point sampling method was employed, marking two tea tree branches at each point and recording the number of black-spined whitefly nymphs on each branch. Post-treatment surveys were conducted three times: 1, 3, and 7 days after application. Changes in insect population were recorded, and the population reduction rate was calculated.

[0031] Control efficacy (%) = [1 - (number of insects before treatment in the blank control area × number of insects after treatment in the treated area) / (number of insects after treatment in the blank control area × number of insects before treatment in the treated area)] × 100 The results are as follows: Table 3 Field control efficacy of 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate against black thorn whitefly.

[0032] The above results indicate that the 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate of this invention can effectively control the black spiny whitefly. On the third day after application, a 500-fold dilution of the 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate achieved a control efficacy of 72.22% against the black spiny whitefly, and this efficacy lasted for up to 7 days. Example 5

[0033] The experiment was conducted at a vegetable base in Baoyan Town, Dantu District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province (119.37°E, 31.88°N). The experimental crop was cucumber, and the target pest was thrips.

[0034] The experiment included five treatments: 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate at dilutions of 500, 1000, and 1500 times, and water (blank control). Each treatment plot was 40 square meters, with three replicates. Thrips began damaging cucumbers on September 2, 2024, and pesticide application began. An electric sprayer was used to ensure even coverage of all plants, with particular attention to the flowers. A five-point sampling method was employed, with each point surveying the number of thrips on five flowers or young fruits of one cucumber plant. A total of four surveys were conducted: one pre-treatment baseline survey and three post-treatment surveys (1, 3, and 7 days after treatment). Changes in thrips population were recorded, and the population reduction rate was calculated.

[0035] Control efficacy (%) = [1 - (number of insects before treatment in the blank control area × number of insects after treatment in the treated area) / (number of insects after treatment in the blank control area × number of insects before treatment in the treated area)] × 100 The results are as follows: Table 4. Field control efficacy of 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate against thrips.

[0036] The above results indicate that the 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate of this invention can effectively control cucumber thrips. On the third day after application, a 500-fold dilution of the 50% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate achieved a control efficacy of 69.82% against thrips. The investigation revealed that some thrips were hidden in the flower stamens, making them inaccessible to the pesticide, thus reducing the control effect. Thrips active on the fruit surface had a higher mortality rate. Example 6

[0037] The experiment was conducted in the central laboratory of the Zhenjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province. The toxicity of jojoba oil and imidacloprid, and their compound samples, to peach aphids was determined using the insect-leaf immersion method. Jojoba oil and imidacloprid technical grade pesticides were dissolved in xylene to prepare a 10000 μg / ml stock solution, and 0.1% (by volume) Tween-80 (used as an emulsifier and spreading agent) was added. Simultaneously, samples with different proportions of jojoba oil and imidacloprid stock solutions were prepared, with volume ratios of jojoba oil to imidacloprid of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3, respectively.

[0038] Jojoba oil stock solution was diluted with water to prepare five concentrations: 640, 320, 160, 80, and 40 μg / ml, decreasing by a factor of 2. Imidacloprid and samples with different ratios of jojoba oil and imidacloprid were also diluted with water to prepare eight concentrations: 640, 320, 160, 80, 40, 20, 10, and 5 μg / ml, decreasing by a factor of 2. A control treatment was prepared using water containing equal amounts of Tween-80 and xylene. Peach leaves containing 50 peach aphids of uniform size were immersed in the pesticide solution for 15 seconds, removed, and their petioles wrapped with moistened cotton. They were then air-dried and placed in disposable plastic cups lined with moistened absorbent paper, sealed with rubber bands and mesh, allowing for ventilation. Each treatment was repeated three times.

[0039] The number of remaining live insects was checked after 24 hours. The virulence regression equation and LD50 value were calculated using a probability method. All calculations were performed using DPS data processing software. The co-toxicity coefficient was calculated using the LD50 value according to Sun Yunpei's method.

[0040] Mortality rate % = (Number of dead insects / Total number of insects in the experiment) × 100 Corrected mortality rate % = [(treatment group mortality rate - control mortality rate) / (100 - control group mortality rate)] × 100 The combined effects of the mixtures were determined according to the Sun Yunpei method (1960), which calculated the co-toxicity coefficient (CTC).

[0041] Actual Toxicity Index (ATI) of Mixture = (LD50 of Standard Agent / LD50 of Mixture) × 100 Theoretical Toxicity Index (TTI) of a mixture = Toxicity index of agent A × Percentage of A in the mixture + Toxicity index of agent B × Percentage of B in the mixture Cotoxicity coefficient (CTC) = (ATI / TTI) × 100 The combined toxicity of drugs is determined by the CTC value: CTC≤80 indicates antagonistic effect; CTC≥120 indicates synergistic effect; and 80<CTC<120 indicates additive effect.

[0042] The results are as follows: Table 5. Toxicity equations and LD50 of jojoba oil, imidacloprid, and their compound samples against peach aphids at 24 h.

[0043] Table 6. Cotoxicity coefficients of jojoba oil and imidacloprid compound samples against peach aphids.

[0044] The results above show that the combination of jojoba oil and imidacloprid has high biological activity against imidacloprid's high resistance to aphids and can play a synergistic role, with the 1:2 mixture showing the best effect. Example 7

[0045] The experiment was conducted at the Huayangyuan Fruit Tree Experimental Base of the Zhenjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Province (31°57'N, 119°12'E). The peach variety was Fuxiao, with trees aged 4-5 years and a spacing of 3m x 3m. The orchard management was average, and aphid infestations were severe in previous years, with spring being the peak period for aphid activity.

[0046] The experiment included four treatments: 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate at a dilution of 1000 times, 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid (10% jojoba oil + 20% imidacloprid) dispersible oil suspension at a dilution of 1000 times, 350 g / L imidacloprid suspension at a dilution of 1000 times, and water (blank control). Each treatment involved two trees, with three replicates. Peach aphids first appeared on April 12, 2025, and application began. An electric sprayer was used, ensuring even coverage of both the inner and outer surfaces of the leaves until dripping wet. Five branches were fixed on each tree (east, south, west, north, and center), and the number of live aphids on the top 5-10 leaves of each branch was observed and recorded. A total of four surveys were conducted: one before application to assess the aphid population, and three after application (1, 3, and 7 days post-application). Changes in aphid populations were recorded, and the population reduction rate was calculated.

[0047] Control efficacy (%) = [1 - (number of insects before treatment in the blank control area × number of insects after treatment in the treated area) / (number of insects after treatment in the blank control area × number of insects before treatment in the treated area)] × 100 The results are as follows: Table 7. Field control efficacy of 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid dispersible oil suspension and its single agent against peach aphid.

[0048] The above results indicate that the 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid dispersible oil suspension of this invention can achieve good insect control. On the third day after application, the 1000-fold dilution of the 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid dispersible oil suspension showed the highest control efficacy against peach aphids, reaching 78.42%, comparable to the 1000-fold dilution of 350 g / L imidacloprid suspension. Seven days after application, the 1000-fold dilution of the 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid dispersible oil suspension achieved a control efficacy of 80.36% against peach aphids, slightly lower than the 81.55% efficacy of the 1000-fold dilution of 350 g / L imidacloprid suspension. Therefore, the 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid dispersible oil suspension can provide some control during the peach aphid outbreak period. Although its efficacy is comparable to commercially available pesticides, using the 1000-fold dilution of the 30% jojoba oil-imidacloprid dispersible oil suspension reduces the use of chemical pesticides, making it environmentally friendly. Example 8

[0049] The experiment was conducted at the Science and Technology Innovation Base of the Zhenjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Province (31°97'N, 119°30'E). The experimental crop was cabbage, and the target pest was aphids.

[0050] Table 8 shows that the experiment included four treatments.

[0051] Each treatment area was 30 square meters, with three replicates. Aphids first appeared on May 12, 2025, at which time pesticide application began. An electric sprayer was used, ensuring even coverage on both sides of the leaves. A five-point sampling method was used in each plot, with one cabbage plant sampled at each point. The number of aphids on all leaves was investigated four times: once before pesticide application and three times after application (1, 3, and 7 days post-application). Changes in aphid populations were recorded, and the population decline rate was calculated.

[0052] Control efficacy (%) = [1 - (number of insects before treatment in the blank control area × number of insects after treatment in the treated area) / (number of insects after treatment in the blank control area × number of insects before treatment in the treated area)] × 100 The results are as follows: Table 9. Field control efficacy of several pesticides against cabbage aphids

[0053] The above results indicate that the 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate + 10% acetamiprid microemulsion of this invention can achieve good insect control. The highest control efficacy against cabbage aphids was observed on the third day after application, reaching 73.96%, which is higher than the efficacy of the two single agents. Seven days after application, the control efficacy of the 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate + 10% acetamiprid microemulsion against cabbage aphids reached 76.41%, comparable to the efficacy of the 10% acetamiprid microemulsion. Therefore, the 75% jojoba oil emulsifiable concentrate + 10% acetamiprid microemulsion can provide a certain level of control during the cabbage aphid outbreak period. Although its efficacy is comparable to commercially available pesticides, it reduces the amount of chemical pesticides used.

[0054] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An insecticide for controlling small plant pests, characterized in that, Its main active ingredient is crude jojoba oil.

2. The insecticide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insecticide is processed into a formulation acceptable to the pesticide industry.

3. The insecticide according to claim 2, characterized in that, The dosage forms include emulsifiable concentrates, dispersible oil suspensions, microemulsions, and water-in-oil emulsions.

4. The insecticide according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insecticide comprises, by weight percentage: 25%-75% jojoba crude oil, 10% emulsifier, and the remainder being solvent.

5. The insecticide according to claim 4, characterized in that, The emulsifier is a combination of agricultural emulsion 500# and EL-40.

6. The insecticide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main active ingredients of the insecticide also include chemical insecticides.

7. The insecticide according to claim 6, characterized in that, The chemical insecticides include imidacloprid and acetamiprid.

8. The insecticide according to claim 6, characterized in that, The volume ratio of the jojoba oil crude to the chemical pesticide is (1:3)-(2:1).

9. The insecticide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method for preparing the jojoba crude oil is as follows: Jojoba oil seeds are collected, dried, and dehulled. They are then pressed into thin sheets of uniform thickness using a rolling mill and fed into the pressing chamber. The oil is squeezed out of the material by the spiral propulsion of the screw press and the oil is squeezed out through the material. The pressed crude oil is then filtered through a plate and frame filter press or a vibrating screen to remove the cake residue, thus obtaining the jojoba crude oil.

10. The use of the insecticide according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in the control of small pests.

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