Pesticidal mixtures and applications of beauveria bassiana and dimpropyridaz

Abstract

The invention relates to a pesticidal mixture of components a) dimpropyridaz and b) Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339; to a method for preparing the pesticidal mixture; a method for protecting growing plants or plant propagation materials from attack or infestation by invertebrate pests by applying said mixture or sequentially its components a) and b); a method for combating or controlling invertebrate pests; a method for protection of plant propagation material by applying the pesticidal mixture or sequentially components a) and b); and plant propagation material containing said mixture.

Description

[0001] Pesticidal mixtures and applications of Beauveria bassiana and dimpropyridaz

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a pesticidal mixture of components a) dimpropyridaz and b) Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339; to a method for preparing the pesticidal mixture; a method for protecting growing plants or plant propagation materials from attack or infestation by invertebrate pests by applying said mixture or sequentially its components a) and b); a method for combating or controlling invertebrate pests; a method for protection of plant propagation material by applying the pesticidal mixture or sequentially components a) and b); and plant propagation material containing said mixture.

[0004] Dimpropyridaz is known from WO 2012 / 143317. This compound is mentioned to be useful for combating invertebrate pests.

[0005] WO2016 / 128239 discloses pesticidal mixtures of pyrazole compounds with, inter alia Beauveria bassiana. B. bassiana strain PPRI 5339 is not disclosed.

[0006] One typical problem arising in the field of pest control lies in the need to reduce the dosage rates of the active ingredient in order to reduce or avoid unfavorable environmental or toxicological effects whilst still allowing effective pest control. Another problem encountered concerns the need to have available pest control agents which are effective against a broad spectrum of pests.

[0007] Another difficulty in relation to the use of pesticides is that the repeated and exclusive application of an individual pesticidal compound leads in many cases to a rapid selection of pests which have developed natural or adapted resistance against the active compound in question. Therefore, there is a need for pest control agents that help prevent or overcome resistance.

[0008] Yet another goal for pest management is the reduction of chemical residues on crops and especially fruits since these residues are undesirable for human consumption.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide pesticidal mixtures which solve at least one of the discussed problems as reducing the dosage rate, reducing chemical residues on crops and fruits, enhancing the spectrum of activity or combining knock-down activity with prolonged control or as to resistance management. It has been found that at least one of these objectives is achieved by a pesticidal mixture of components a) 1-[(1RS)-1 ,2-dimethylpropyl]-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (common name dimpropyridaz) of formula I: or a stereoisomer, tautomer, salt, or N-oxide thereof; and b) Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339; in synergistically effective amounts.

[0010] Moreover, it has also been found that simultaneous, that is joint or separate, application of dimpropyridaz and Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339 or sequential application of dimpropyridaz and Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339 allows enhanced control of pests compared to the control rates that are possible with the individual compounds.

[0011] Moreover, the invention relates to an agricultural composition comprising the pesticidal mixture as defined herein and at least one inert liquid and / or solid acceptable carrier; a method for preparing the pesticidal mixture as defined herein comprising the step of contacting component a) and component b); a method for protecting growing plants or plant propagation materials from attack or infestation by invertebrate pests, which method comprises contacting a plant, a plant propagation material or soil or water in which the plant is growing, with a pesticidally effective amount of a pesticidal mixture as defined herein, or sequentially with a pesticidally effective amount of component a) and component b);

[0012] A method for combating or controlling invertebrate pests, which method comprises contacting said pest or its food supply, habitat or breeding grounds with a pesticidally effective amount of a pesticidal mixture as defined herein, or sequentially with a pesticidally effective amount of component a) and component b);

[0013] A method for protection of plant propagation material comprising contacting the plant propagation material with a pesticidal mixture as defined herein or in an amount of from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of plant propagation material;

[0014] Plant propagation material comprising a pesticidal mixture as defined herein in an amount of from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of seed. the use of the pesticidal mixture as defined herein for protecting growing plants or plant propagation material from attack or infestation by invertebrate pests;

[0015] The remarks made below concerning preferred embodiments of the variables further are valid on their own as well as preferably in combination with each other concerning dimpropyridaz, where applicable, as well as concerning the uses and methods according to the invention and the mixtures of the invention. Dimpropyridaz has one centre of chirality; it is present as mixture of enantiomers. The invention provides both the pure enantiomers or diastereomers and their mixtures and the use according to the invention of the pure enantiomers of dimpropyridaz or its mixtures. In case dimpropyridaz is present in solid form, e.g. as particles, it may be present as an amorphous or a crystalline solid. In one embodiment, dimpropyridaz is present as a polymorph of crystalline form B described in W02020 / 144308.

[0016] The mixtures of the invention may be a physical mixture of component a) and component b). Accordingly, the invention also provides a mixture comprising component a) and component b) in the form of an agrochemical formulation or a tank mix. However, the term “pesticidal mixture” also pertains to any combination of component a) and component b), it not being required for the components to be present together in the same formulation. For example, the components may be present in a kit-of-parts as two separate formulations, but comprised in one container or shipped together with the advice to apply the components together.

[0017] Accordingly, the components may be either applied simultaneously or sequentially. In case a sequential application is envisaged, they are preferably applied within a time interval of up to 30 days, more preferably up to 25 days, most preferably up to 20 days, especially up to 10 days, in particular up to 7 days, such as up to 3 days.

[0018] Typically, dimpropyridaz is applied before Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339. In one embodiment, Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339 is applied before dimpropyridaz. In another embodiment, dimpropyridaz and Beauveria bassiana PPRI 5339 treatments are applied alternately.

[0019] Beauveria bassiana PPRI 5339 has been deposited under ARSEF number 5339 in the USDA ARS collection of entomopathogenic fungal cultures (ARSEF = Agricultural Research Service Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungi) and is commercially available from BASF as product "Velifer". It was also deposited at the "Agricultural Research Culture Collection" (NRRL) deposit number 50757 located in 1815 N. University Street; Peoria; Illinois 61604; U.S.A. Beauvaria bassiana strain PPRI 5339 was isolated in March 1994, from the larva of the tortoise beetle Conchyloctenia punctata (Coleoptera: cassidinae) collected from Queensburgh, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa (ISOLATE).

[0020] The mass ratio component a) and component b) is selected to give the desired, for example, synergistic action. Generally, the ratio by weight between component a) and component b), is from 10000:1 to 1 :10000, preferably from 1000:1 to 1 :1000, more preferably from 500:1 to 1 :500, most preferably from 100:1 to 1 :100, especially from 50:1 to 1 :50, such as from 30:1 to 1:30, for example from 10:1 to 1:10. In one embodiment, the mass ratio of component a) and component b) is from 6:1 to 1:6. In another embodiment, the mass ratio is from 3:1 to 1:3. In another embodiment, the mass ratio is from 2:1 to 1:2. In another embodiment, the mass ratio is from 5:1 to 1:1. In another embodiment, the mass ratio is from 5:1 to 1.5:1. In another embodiment, the mass ratio is from 10:1 to 1 :1. In another embodiment, the mass ratio is from 7:1 to 1 :1.

[0021] The ratio by weight between component a) and component b), may be at least 1 :2, preferably at least 1 :1 , more preferably at least 1.2:1. The ratio by weight between component a) and component b), may be up to 20:1, preferably up to 15:1 , more preferably up to 10:1 , especially up to 8:1.

[0022] Examplary mass ratios of component a) and component b) are 99:1,98:2, 97:3, 96:4, 95:5, 94:6, 93:7, 92:8, 91:9, 90:10,89:11,88:12, 87:13, 86:14, 85:15, 84:16, 83:17, 82:18, 81:19,80:20, 79:21 ,78:22, 77:23, 76:24, 75:25, 74:26, 73:27, 72:28, 71 :29, 70:30, 69:31 ,68:32, 67:33, 66:34, 65:45, 64:46, 63:47, 62:48, 61:49, 60:40, 59:41, 58:42, 57:43, 56:44, 55:45, 54:46, 53:47, 52:48, 51 :49, 50:50, 49:51 ,48:52, 47:53, 46:54, 45:55, 44:56, 43:57, 42:58, 41:59,40:60, 39:61 ,38:62, 37:63, 36:64, 35:65, 34:66, 33:67, 32:68, 31 :69, 30:70, 29:71 ,28:72, 27:73, 26:74, 25:75, 24:76, 23:77, 22:78, 21:79, 20:80, or 19:81. These ratios are for example suitable for inventive mixtures applied by seed treatment, soil treatment and foliar application.

[0023] For component b), all of these ratios refer to a preparation with at least 10' CFU / g ("colony forming units per gram"). Herein, component b) may be supplied in any physiological state such as active or dormant. Dormant component b) may be supplied for example frozen, dried, or lyophilized or partly desiccated (procedures to produce these partly desiccated organisms are given in W02008 / 002371) or in form of spores. Organisms in an active state can be delivered in a growth medium without any additional additives or materials or in combination with suitable nutrient mixtures. However, the component b) is preferably delivered and formulated in a dormant stage.

[0024] The term "invertebrate pest" (also referred to as animal pests) as used herein encompasses animal populations, such as insects, arachnids and nematodes, which may attack plants, thereby causing substantial damage to the plants attacked. The mixtures of the invention are particularly suitable for controlling Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, and Hemiptera. In particular the mixtures are useful for the control of Thysanoptera and Hemiptera, especially Hemiptera.

[0025] The pesticidal mixtures as well as the sequential application of component a) and component b) according to the invention are especially suitable for efficiently combating animal pests e.g. arthropods, gastropods and nematodes including: insects from the order of Lepidoptera, e.g. Achroia grisella, Acleris spp. e.g. A. fimbriana, A. gloverana, A. variana; Acrolepiopsis assectella, Acronicta major, Adoxophyes spp. e.g. A. cyrtosema, A. orana; Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis spp. e.g. A. exclamationis, A. fucosa, A. ipsilon, A. orthogoma, A. segetum, A. subterranea; Alabama argillacea, Aleurodicus dispersus, Alsophila pometaria, Ampelophaga rubiginosa, Amyelois transitella, Anacampsis sarcitella, Anagasta kuehniella, Anarsia lineatella, Anisota sanatoria, Antheraea pernyi, Anticarsia (=Thermesia) spp. e.g. A. gemmatalis; Apamea spp., Aproaerema modicella, Archips spp. e.g. A. argyrospila, A. fuscocupreanus, A. rosana, A. xyloseanus; Argyresthia conjugella, Argyroploce spp., Argyrotaenia spp. e.g. A. velutinana; Athetis mindara, Austroasca viridigrisea, Autographa gamma, Autographa nigrisigna, Barathra brassicae, Bedellia spp., Bonagota salubricola, Borbo cinnara, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupalus piniarius, Busseola spp., Cacoecia spp. e.g. C. murinana, C. podana; Cactoblastis cactorum, Cadra cautella, Calingo braziliensis, Caloptilis theivora, Capua reticulana, Carposina spp. e.g. C. niponensis, C. sasakii; Cephus spp., Chaetocnema aridula, Cheimatobia brumata, Chilo spp. e.g. C. Indicus, C. suppressalis, C. partellus; Choreutis pariana, Choristoneura spp. e.g. C. conflictana, C. fumiferana, C. longicellana, C. murinana, C. occidentalis, C. rosaceana; Chrysodeixis (=Pseudoplusia) spp., e.g. C. eriosoma, C. includens; Cirphis unipuncta, Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocerus spp., Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, Cnephasia spp., Cochylis hospes, Coleophora spp., Colias eurytheme, Conopomorpha spp., Conotrachelus spp., Copitarsia spp., Corcyra cephalonica, Crambus caliginosellus, Crambus teterrellus, Crocidosema (=Epinotia) aporema, Cydalima (=Diaphania) perspectalis, Cydia (=Carpocapsa) spp., e.g. C. pomonella, C. latiferreana; Dalaca noctuides, Datana integerrima, Dasychira pinicola, Dendrolimus spp., e.g. D. pini, D. spectabilis,

[0026] D. sibiricus; Desmia funeralis, Diaphania spp., e.g. D. nitidalis, D. hyalinata; Diatraea grandiosella, Diatraea saccharalis, Diphthera festiva, Earias spp. e.g. E. insulana, E. vittella; Ecdytolopha aurantianu, Egira (=Xylomyges) curialis, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eldana saccharina, Endopiza viteana, Ennomos subsignaria, Eoreuma loftini, Ephestia spp., e.g. E. cautella, E. elutella, E. kuehniella; Epinotia aporema, Epiphyas postvittana, Erannis tiliaria, Erionota thrax, Etiella spp., Eulia spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Euxoa spp., Evetria bouliana, Faronta albilinea, Feltia spp. e.g. F. subterranean; Galleria mellonella, Gracillaria spp., Grapholita spp. e.g. G. funebrana, G. molesta, G. inopinata; Halysidota spp., Harrisina americana, Hedylepta spp., Helicoverpa spp. e.g. H. armigera (=Heliothis armigera), H. zea (=Heliothis zea); Heliothis spp. e.g. H. assulta, H. subflexa, H. virescens; Hellula spp. e.g. H. undalis, H. rogatalis; Helocoverpa gelotopoeon, Hemileuca oliviae, Herpetogramma licarsisalis, Hibernia defoliaria, Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Homoeosoma electellum, Homona magnanima, Hypena scabra, Hyphantria cunea, Hyponomeuta padella, Hyponomeuta malinellus, Kakivoria flavofasciata, Keiferia lycopersicella, Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria, Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa, Lamprosema indicata, Laspeyresia molesta, Leguminivora glycinivorella, Lerodea eufala, Leucinodes orbonalis, Leucoma salicis, Leucoptera spp. e.g. L. coffeella, L. scitella; Leuminivora lycinivorella, Lithocolletis blancardella, Lithophane antennata, Llattia octo (=Amyna axis), Lobesia botrana, Lophocampa spp., Loxagrotis albicosta, Loxostege spp. e.g. L. sticticalis, L. cereralis; Lymantria spp., e.g. L. dispar, L. monacha; Lyonetia clerkella, Lyonetia prunifoliella, Malacosoma spp., e.g. M. americanum, M. californicum, M. constrictum, M. neu-stria; Mamestra spp., e.g. M. brassicae, M. configurata; Mamstra brassicae, Manduca spp. e.g. M. quinquemaculata, M. sexta; Marasmia spp, Marmara spp., Maruca testulalis, Megalopyge lanata, Melanchra picta, Melanitis leda, Mods spp., e.g. M. lapites, M. repanda; Mods latipes, Monochroa fragariae, Mythimna separata, Nemapogon cloacella, Neoleucinodes elegantalis, Nepytia spp., Nymphula spp., Oiketicus spp., Omiodes indicata, Omphisa anastomosalis, Operophtera brumata, Orgyia pseudotsugata, Oria spp., Orthaga thyrisalis, Ostrinia spp. e.g. O. nubilalis; Oulema oryzae, Paleacrita vernata, Panolis flammea, Parnara spp., Papaipema nebris, Papilio cresphontes, Paramyelois transitella, Paranthrene regalis, Paysandisia archon, Pectinophora spp. e.g. P. gossypiella; Peridroma saucia, Perileucoptera spp., e.g. P. coffeella; Phalera bucephala, Phryganidia californica, Phthorimaea spp. e.g. P. operculella; Phyl locnistis citrella, Phyllonorycter spp. e.g. P. blancardella, P. crataegella, P. issikii, P. ringoniella; Pieris spp. e.g. P. brassicae, P. rapae, P. napi; Pilocrocis tripunctata, Plathypena scabra, Platynota spp. e.g. P. flavedana, P. idaeusalis, P. stultana; Platyptilia carduidactyla, Plebejus argus, Plo-dia interpunctella, Plusia spp, Plutella maculipennis, Plutella xylostella, Pontia protodica, Prays spp., Prodenia spp., Proxenus lepigone, Pseudaletia spp. e.g. P. sequax, P. unipuncta; Pyrausta nubilalis, Rachiplusia nu, Richia albicosta, Rhizobius ventralis, Rhyacionia frustrana, Sabulodes aegrotata, Schizura concinna, Schoenobius spp., Schreckensteinia festaliella, Scirpophaga spp. e.g. S. incertulas, S. innotata; Scotia segetum, Sesamia spp. e.g. S. inferens, Seudyra subflava, Sitotroga cerealella, Sparganothis pilleriana, Spilonota lechriaspis, S. ocelli-na, Spodoptera (=Lamphygma) spp. e.g. S. cosmoides, S. eridania, S. exigua, S. frugiperda, S. latisfascia, S. littoralis, S. litura, S. omithogalli; Stigmella spp., Stomopteryx subsecivella, Strymon bazochii, Sylepta derogata, Synanthedon spp. e.g. S. exitiosa, Tecia solanivora, Telehin licus, Thaumatopoea pityocampa, Thaumatotibia (=Cryptophlebia) leucotreta, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, Thecla spp., Theresimima ampelophaga, Thyrinteina spp, Tildenia inconspicuella, Tinea spp. e.g. T. cloacella, T. pellionella; Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix spp. e.g. T. viridana; Trichophaga tapetzella, Trichoplusia spp. e.g. T. ni; Tuta (=Scrobipalpula) absoluta, lldea spp. e.g. II. rubigalis, II. rubigalis; Virachola spp., Yponomeuta padella, and Zeiraphera canadensis; insects from the order of Coleoptera, e.g. Acalymma vittatum, Acanthoscehdes obtectus, Adoretus spp., Agelastica alni, Agrilus spp. e.g. A. anxius, A. planipennis, A. sinuatus; Agriotes spp. e.g. A. fuscicollis, A. lineatus, A. obscurus; Alphitobius diaperinus, Amphimallus solstitialis, Anisandrus dispar, Anisoplia austriaca, Anobium punctatum, Anomala corpulenta, Anomala rufocuprea, Anoplophora spp. e.g. A. glabripennis; Anthonomus spp. e.g. A. eugenii, A. grandis, A. pomorum; Anthrenus spp., Aphthona euphoridae, Apion spp., Apogonia spp., Athous haemorrhoidalis, Atomaria spp. e.g. A. linearis; Attagenus spp., Aulacophora femoralis, Blastophagus piniperda, Blitophaga undata, Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus spp. e.g. B. lentis, B. pisorum, B. rufimanus; Byctiscus betulae, Callidiellum rufipenne, Callopistria floridensis, Callosobruchus chinensis, Cameraria ohridella, Cassida nebulosa, Cerotoma trifurcata, Cetonia aurata, Ceuthorhynchus spp. e.g. C. assimilis, C. napi; Chaetocnema tibialis, Cleonus mendicus, Conoderus spp. e.g. C. vespertinus; Conotrachelus nenuphar, Cosmopolites spp., Costelytra zealandica, Crioceris asparagi, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Ctenicera spp. e.g. C. destructor; Curculio spp., Cylindrocopturus spp., Cyclocephala spp., Dac- tylispa balyi, Dectes texanus, Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp. e.g. D. undecimpunctata, D. speciosa, D. longicornis, D. semipunctata, D. virgifera; Diaprepes abbreviates, Dichocrocis spp., Dicladispa armigera, Diloboderus abderus, Diocalandra frumenti (Diocalandra stigmaticollis) , Enaphalodes rufulus, Epilachna spp. e.g. E. varivestis, E. vigintioctomaculata; Epitrix spp. e.g. E. hirtipennis, E. similaris; Eutheola humilis, Eutinobothrus brasiliensis, Faustinus cubae, Gibbium psylloides, Gnathocerus cornutus, Hellula undalis, Heteronychus arator, Hylamorpha elegans, Hylobius abietis, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera spp., e.g. H. brunneipennis, H. postica; Hypomeces squamosus, Hypothenemus spp., Ips typographus, Lachnosterna consanguinea, Lasioderma serricorne, Latheticus oryzae, Lathridius spp., Lerna spp. e.g. L. bilineata, L. melanopus; Leptinotarsa spp. e.g. L. decemlineata; Leptispa pygmaea, Limonius californi-cus, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Lixus spp., Luperodes spp., Lyctus spp. e.g. L. bruneus; Liogenys fuscus, Macrodactylus spp. e.g. M. subspinosus; Maladera matrida, Megaplatypus mutates, Megascelis spp., Melanotus communis, Meligethes spp. e.g. M. aeneus; Melolontha spp. e.g. M. hippocastani, M. melolontha; Metamasius hemipterus, Microtheca spp., Migdolus spp. e.g.

[0027] M. fryanus, Monochamus spp. e.g. M. alternatus; Naupactus xanthographus, Niptus hololeucus, Oberia brevis, Oemona hirta, Oryctes rhinoceros, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Oryzaphagus oryzae, Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Otiorrhynchus ovatus, Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Oulema melanopus, Oulema oryzae, Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon spp. e.g. P. brassicae, P. cochleariae; Phoracantha recurva, Phyllobius pyri, Phyllopertha horticola, Phyllophaga spp. e.g. P. helleri; Phyllotreta spp. e.g. P. chrysocephala, P. nemorum, P. striolata, P. vittula; Phyllopertha horticola, Popillia japonica, Premnotrypes spp., Psacothea hilaris, Psylliodes chrysocephala, Prostephanus truncates, Psylliodes spp., Ptinus spp., Pulga saltona, Rhizopertha dominica, Rhynchophorus spp. e.g. R. billineatus, R. ferrugineus, R. palmarum, R. phoenicis, R. vulneratus; Saperda Candida, Scolytus schevyrewi, Scyphophorus acupunctatus, Sitona lineatus, Sitophilus spp. e.g. S. granaria, S. oryzae, S. zeamais; Sphenophorus spp. e.g. S. levis; Stegobium paniceum, Sternechus spp. e.g. S. subsignatus; Strophomorphus ctenotus, Symphyletes spp., Tanymecus spp., Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrioides mauretanicus, Tribolium spp. e.g. T. castaneum; Trogoderma spp., Tychius spp., Xylotrechus spp. e.g. X. pyrrhoderus; and, Zabrus spp. e.g. Z. tenebrioides; insects from the order of Diptera e.g. Aedes spp. e.g. A. aegypti, A. albopictus, A. vexans; Anastrepha ludens, Anopheles spp. e.g. A. albimanus, A. crucians, A. freeborni, A. gambiae, A. leucosphyrus, A. maculipennis, A. minimus, A. quadrimaculatus, A. sinensis; Bactrocera invadens, Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Calliphora vicina, Ceratitis capitata, Chrysomyia spp. e.g. C. bezziana, C. hominivorax, C. macellaria; Chrysops atlanticus, Chrysops discalis, Chrysops silacea, Cochliomyia spp. e.g. C. hominivorax; Contarinia spp. e.g. C. sorghicola; Cordylobia anthropophaga, Culex spp. e.g. C. nigripalpus, C. pipiens, C. quinquefasciatus, C. tarsalis, C. tritaeniorhynchus; Culicoides furens, Culiseta inornata, Culiseta melanura, Cuterebra spp., Dacus cucurbitae, Dacus oleae, Dasineura brassicae, Dasineura oxycoccana, Delia spp. e.g. D. antique, D. coarctata, D. platura, D. radicum; Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila spp. e.g. D. suzukii, Fannia spp. e.g. F. canicularis; Gastraphilus spp. e.g.

[0028] G. intestinalis; Geomyza tipunctata, Glossina spp. e.g. G. fuscipes, G. morsitans, G. palpalis, G. tachinoides; Haematobia irritans, Haplodiplosis equestris, Hippelates spp., Hylemyia spp. e.g.

[0029] H. platura; Hypoderma spp. e.g. H. lineata; Hyppobosca spp., Hydrellia philippina, Leptoconops torrens, Liriomyza spp. e.g. L. sativae, L. trifolii; Lucilia spp. e.g. L. caprina, L. cuprina, L. sericata; Lycoria pectoralis, Mansonia titillanus, Mayetiola spp. e.g. M. destructor; Musca spp. e.g. M. autumnalis, M. domestica; Muscina stabulans, Oestrus spp. e.g. O. ovis; Opomyza florum, Oscinella spp. e.g. O. frit; Orseolia oryzae, Pegomya hysocyami, Phlebotomus argentipes, Phorbia spp. e.g. P. antiqua, P. brassicae, P. coarctata; Phytomyza gymnostoma, Prosimulium mixtum, Psila rosae, Psorophora columbiae, Psorophora discolor, Rhagoletis spp. e.g. R. cerasi, R. cingulate, R. indifferens, R. mendax, R. pomonella; Rivellia quadrifasciata, Sarcophaga spp. e.g. S. haemorrhoidalis; Simulium vittatum, Sitodiplosis mosellana, Stomoxys spp. e.g. S. calcitrans; Tabanus spp. e.g. T. atratus, T. bovinus, T. lineola, T. similis; Tannia spp., Thecodiplo-sis japonensis, Tipula oleracea, Tipula paludosa, Wohlfahrtia spp, and Zaprionus indianus; insects from the order of Thysanoptera e.g., Baliothrips biformis, Dichromothrips corbetti, Dichromothrips ssp., Echinothrips americanus, Enneothrips flavens, Frankliniella spp. e.g. F. fusca, F. occidentalis, F. tritici; Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips femoralis, Kakothrips spp., Microcephalothrips abdominalis, Neohydatothrips samayunkur, Pezothrips kellyanus, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp. e.g. S. citri, S. dorsalis, S. perseae; Stenchaetothrips spp, Taeniothrips cardamoni, Taeniothrips inconsequens, Thrips spp. e.g. T. imagines, T. hawaiiensis, T. oryzae, T. palmi, T. parvispinus, T. tabaci; insects from the order of Hemiptera e.g., Acizzia jamatonica, Acrosternum spp., e.g. A. hilare; Acyrthosipon spp., e.g. A. onobrychis, A. pisum; Adelges laricis, Adelges tsugae, Adelphocoris spp., e.g. A. rapidus, A. superbus; Aeneolamia spp., Agonoscena spp., Aulacorthum solani, Aleurocanthus woglumi, Aleurodes spp., Aleurodicus disperses, Aleurolobus barodensis, Aleurothrixus spp., Amrasca spp., Anasa tristis, Antestiopsis spp., Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiella spp., Aphanostigma piri, Aphidula nasturtii, Aphis spp. e.g. A. craccivora, A. fabae, A. forbesi, A. gossypii, A. grossulariae, A. maidiradicis, A. pomi, A. sambuci, A. schneideri, A. spiraecola; Arboridia apicalis, Arilus critatus, Aspidiella spp., Aspidiotus spp., Atanus spp., Aulacaspis yasumatsui, Aulacorthum solani, Bactericera cockerelli (Paratrioza cockerelli), Bemisia spp. e.g. B. argentifolii, B. tabaci (Aleurodes tabaci); Blissus spp. e.g. B. leucopterus; Brachycaudus spp. e.g. B. cardui, B. helichrysi, B. persicae, B. prunicola; Brachycolus spp., Brachycorynella as- paragi, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cacopsylla spp. e.g. C. fulguralis, C. pyricola (Psylla piri); Calligypona marginata, Calocoris spp., Campylomma livida, Capitophorus horni, Carneocephala fulgida, Cavelerius spp., Ceraplastes spp., Ceratovacuna lanigera, Ceroplastes ceriferus, Cerosipha gossypii, Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlorita onukii, Chromaphis juglandicola, Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila, Cimex spp. e.g. C. hemipterus, C. lectularius; Circulifer tenellus, Coccomytilus halli, Coccus spp. e.g. C. hesperidum, C. pseudomagnoliarum; Corythucha arcuata, Creontiades dilutus, Cryptomyzus ribis, Chrysomphalus aonidum, Cryptomyzus ribis, Ctenarytaina spatulata, Cyrtopeltis notatus, Dalbulus spp., Dasynus piperis, Dialeurodes spp. e.g. D. citrifolii; Dalbulus maidis, Diaphorina spp. e.g. D. citri; Diaspis spp. e.g. D. bromeliae; Dichelops furcatus, Diconocoris hewetti, Doralis spp., Dreyfusia nordmannianae, Dreyfusia piceae, Drosicha spp., Dysaphis spp. e.g. D. plantaginea, D. pyri, D. radicola; Dysaulacorthum pseudosolani, Dysdercus spp. e.g. D. cingulatus, D. intermedius; Dysmicoccus spp., Edessa spp., Geocoris spp., Empoasca spp. e.g. E. fabae, E. solana; Epidiaspis leperii, Eriosoma spp. e.g. E. lanigerum, E. pyricola; Erythroneura spp., Eurygaster spp. e.g. E. integriceps; Euscelis bilobatus, Euschistus spp. e.g. E. heros, E. impictiventris, E. servus; Fiorinia theae, Geococcus coffeae, Glycaspis brimblecombei, Halyomorpha spp. e.g. H. halys; Heliopeltis spp., Homalodisca vitripennis (=H. coagulata), Horcias nobilellus, Hyalopterus pruni, Hyperomyzus lactucae, Icerya spp. e.g. I. purchase; Idiocerus spp., Idioscopus spp., Laodelphax striatellus, Lecanium spp., Lecanoideus floccissimus, Lepidosaphes spp. e.g. L. ulmi; Leptocorisa spp., Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lipaphis erysimi, Lygus spp. e.g. L. hesperus, L. lineolaris, L. praten-sis; Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Marchalina hellenica, Macropes excavatus, Macrosiphum spp. e.g. M. rosae, M. avenae, M. euphorbiae; Macrosteles quadrilineatus, Mahanarva fimbriolata, Megacopta cribraria, Megoura viciae, Melanaphis pyrarius, Melanaphis sacchari, Melanocallis (=Tinocallis) caryaefoliae, Metcafiella spp., Metopolophium dirhodum, Monellia costalis, Mo-nelliopsis pecanis, Myzocallis coryli, Murgantia spp., Myzus spp. e.g. M. ascalonicus, M. cerasi, M. nicotianae, M. persicae, M. varians; Nasonovia ribisnigri, Neotoxoptera formosana, Neomegalotomus spp, Nephotettix spp. e.g. N. malayanus, N. nigropictus, N. parvus, N. vires- cens; Nezara spp. e.g. N. viridula; Nilaparvata lugens, Nysius huttoni, Oebalus spp. e.g. O. pugnax; Oncometopia spp., Orthezia praelonga, Oxycaraenus hyalinipennis, Parabemisia myricae, Parlatoria spp., Parthenolecanium spp. e.g. P. corni, P. persicae; Pemphigus spp. e.g. P. bursarius, P. populivenae; Peregrinus maidis, Perkinsiella saccharicida, Phenacoccus spp. e.g. P. aceris, P. gossypii; Phloeomyzus passerinii, Phorodon humuli, Phylloxera spp. e.g. P. devastatrix, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus spp. e.g. P. guildinii; Pinnaspis aspidistrae, Pianococcus spp. e.g. P. citri, P. ficus; Prosapia bicincta, Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Psallus seriatus, Pseudacysta persea, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Pseudococcus spp. e.g. P. comstocki; Psylla spp. e.g. P. mali; Pteromalus spp., Pulvinaria amygdali, Pyrilla spp., Quadraspidiotus spp., e.g. Q. perniciosus; Quesada gigas, Rastrococcus spp., Reduvius senilis, Rhizoecus americanus, Rhodnius spp., Rhopalomyzus ascalonicus, Rhopalosiphum spp. e.g.

[0030] R. pseudobrassicas, R. insertum, R. maidis, R. padi; Sagatodes spp., Sahlbergella singularis, Saissetia spp., Sappaphis mala, Sappaphis mali, Scaptocoris spp., Scaphoideus titanus, Schizaphis graminum, Schizoneura lanuginosa, Scotinophora spp., Selenaspidus articulatus, Sitobion avenae, Sogata spp., Sogatella furcifera, Solubea insularis, Spissistilus festinus (=Stictocephala festina), Stephanitis nashi, Stephanitis pyrioides, Stephanitis takeyai, Tenalaphara malayensis, Tetraleurodes perseae, Therioaphis maculate, Thyanta spp. e.g. T. accerra, T. perditor; Tibraca spp., Tomaspis spp., Toxoptera spp. e.g. T. aurantii; Trialeurodes spp. e.g. T. abutilonea, T. ricini, T. vaporariorum; Triatoma spp., Trioza spp., Typhlocyba spp., Unaspis spp. e.g. II. citri, II. yanonensis; and Viteus vitifolii,

[0031] Insects from the order Hymenoptera e.g. Acanthomyops interjectus, Athalia rosae, Atta spp. e.g. A. capiguara, A. cephalotes, A. cephalotes, A. laevigata, A. robusta, A. sexdens, A. texana, Bombus spp., Brachymyrmex spp., Camponotus spp. e.g. C. floridanus, C. pennsylvanicus, C. modoc; Cardiocondyla nuda, Chalibion sp, Crematogaster spp., Dasymutilla occidentalis, Diprion spp., Dolichovespula maculata, Dorymyrmex spp., Dryocosmus kuriphilus, Formica spp., Hoplocampa spp. e.g. H. minuta, H. testudinea; Iridomyrmex humilis, Lasius spp. e.g. L. niger, Linepithema humile, Liometopum spp., Leptocybe invasa, Monomorium spp. e.g. M. pharaonis, Monomorium, Nylandria fulva, Pachycondyla chinensis, Paratrechina longicornis, Paravespula spp., e.g. P. germanica, P. pennsylvanica, P. vulgaris; Pheidole spp. e.g. P. megacephala; Pogonomyrmex spp. e.g. P. barbatus, P. californicus, Polistes rubiginosa, Prenolepis impairs, Pseudomyrmex gracilis, Schelipron spp., Sirex cyaneus, Solenopsis spp. e.g. S. geminata, S.invicta, S. molesta, S. richteri, S. xyloni, Sphecius speciosus, Sphex spp., Tapinoma spp. e.g. T. melanocephalum, T. sessile; Tetramorium spp., e.g. T. caespitum, T. bicarinatum, Vespa spp., e.g. V. crabro; Vespula spp., e.g. V. squamosal; Wasmannia auropunctata, Xylocopa sp;

[0032] Insects from the order Orthoptera e.g. Acheta domesticus, Calliptamus italicus, Chortoicetes terminifera, Ceuthophilus spp., Diastrammena asynamora, Dociostaurus maroccanus, Gryllotalpa spp. e.g. G. africana, G. gryllotalpa; Gryllus spp., Hieroglyphus daganensis, Kraussaria angulifera, Locusta spp. e.g. L. migratoria, L. pardalina; Melanoplus spp. e.g. M. bivittatus, M. femurrubrum, M. mexicanus, M. sanguinipes, M. spretus; Nomadacris septemfasciata, Oedaleus senegalensis, Scapteriscus spp., Schistocerca spp. e.g. S. americana, S. gregaria, Stemopelmatus spp., Tachycines asynamorus, and Zonozerus variegatus;

[0033] Pests from the Class Arachnida e.g. Acari.e.g. of the families Argasidae, Ixodidae and Sar- coptidae, e.g. Amblyomma spp. (e.g. A. americanum, A. variegatum, A. maculatum), Argas spp. e.g. A. persicu), Boophilus spp. e.g. B. annulatus, B. decoloratus, B. microplus, Dermacentor spp. e.g. D.silvarum, D. andersoni, D. variabilis, Hyalomma spp. e.g. H. truncatum, Ixodes spp. e.g. I. ricinus, I. rubicundus, I. scapularis, I. holocyclus, I. pacificus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ornithodorus spp. e.g. O. moubata, O. hermsi, O. turicata, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Otobius megnini, Dermanyssus gallinae, Psoroptes spp. e.g. P. ovis, Rhipicephalus spp. e.g. R. sanguineus, R. appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp. e.g.

[0034] S. Scabiei; and Family Eriophyidae including Aceria spp. e.g. A. sheldoni, A. anthocoptes, Acallitus spp., Aculops spp. e.g. A. lycopersici, A. pelekassi; Aculus spp. e.g. A. schlechtendali; Colomerus vitis, Epitrimerus pyri, Phyllocoptruta oleivora; Eriophytes ribis and Eriophyes spp. e.g. Eriophyes sheldoni; Family Tarsonemidae including Hemitarsonemus spp., Phytonemus pallidus and Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Stenotarsonemus spp. Steneotarsonemus spinki; Family Tenuipalpidae including Brevipalpus spp. e.g. B. phoenicis; Family Tetranychidae including Eotetranychus spp., Eutetranychus spp., Oligonychus spp., Petrobia latens, Tetranychus spp. e.g. T. cinnabarinus, T. evansi, T. kanzawai, T, pacificus, T. phaseulus, T. telarius and T. urticae; Bryobia praetiosa; Panonychus spp. e.g. P. ulmi, P. citri;

[0035] Metatetranychus spp. and Oligonychus spp. e.g. O. pratensis, O. perseae, Vasates lycopersici; Raoiella indica, Family Carpoglyphidae including Carpoglyphus spp.; Penthaleidae spp. e.g. Halotydeus destructor; Family Demodicidae with species e.g. Demodex spp.; Family Trombicidea including Trombicula spp.; Family Macronyssidae including Ornothonyssus spp.; Family Pyemotidae including Pyemotes tritici; Tyrophagus putrescentiae; Family Acaridae includ-ing Acarus siro; Family Araneida including Latrodectus mactans, Eratigena agrestis, Cheiracanthium sp, Lycosa sp Achaearanea tepidariorum and Loxosceles reclusa;

[0036] Pests from the Phylum Nematoda, e.g. plant parasitic nematodes e.g. root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. e.g. M. hapla, M. incognita, M. javanica; cyst-forming nematodes, Globodera spp. e.g. G. rostochiensis; Heterodera spp. e.g. H. avenae, H. glycines, H. schachtii, H. trifolii; Seed gall nematodes, Anguina spp.; Stem and foliar nematodes, Aphelenchoides spp. e.g. A. besseyi; Sting nematodes, Belonolaimus spp. e.g. B. longicaudatus; Pine nematodes, Bursaphelenchus spp. e.g. B. lignicolus, B. xylophilus; Ring nematodes, Criconema spp., Criconemella spp. e.g. C. xenoplax and C. ornata; and, Criconemoides spp. e.g. Criconemoides informis; Mesocriconema spp.; Stem and bulb nematodes, Ditylenchus spp. e.g. D. destructor, D. dipsaci; Awl nematodes, Dolichodorus spp.; Spiral nematodes, Heliocotylenchus multicinctus; Sheath and sheathoid nematodes, Hemicycliophora spp. and Hemicriconemoides spp.; Hirshmanniella spp.; Lance nematodes, Hoploaimus spp.; False rootknot nematodes, Nacobbus spp.; Needle nematodes, Longidorus spp. e.g. L. elongatus; Lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp. e.g. P. brachyurus, P. neglectus, P. penetrans, P. curvitatus, P. goodeyi;

[0037] Burrowing nema-todes, Radopholus spp. e.g. R. similis; Rhadopholus spp.; Rhodopholus spp.; Reniform nematodes, Rotylenchus spp. e.g. R. robustus, R. reniformis; Scutellonema spp.; Stubby-root nematode, Trichodorus spp. e.g. T. obtusus, T. primitivus; Paratrichodorus spp. e.g. P. minor; Stunt nematodes, Tylenchorhynchus spp. e.g. T. claytoni, T. dubius; Citrus nematodes, Tylenchulus spp. e.g. T. semipenetrans; Dagger nematodes, Xiphinema spp.; and other plant parasitic nematode species;

[0038] Insects from the order Blattodea e.g. Macrotermes spp. e.g. M. natalensis; Cornitermes cu- mulans, Procornitermes spp., Globitermes sulfureus, Neocapritermes spp. e.g. N. opacus, N. parvus; Odontotermes spp., Nasutitermes spp. e.g. N. corniger; Coptotermes spp. e.g. C. for- mosanus, C. gestroi, C. acinaciformis; Reticulitermes spp. e.g. R. hesperus, R. tibialis, R. speratus, R. flavipes, R. grassei, R. lucifugus, R. virginicus; Heterotermes spp. e.g. H. aureus, H. longiceps, H. tenuis; Cryptotermes spp. e.g. C. brevis, C. cavifrons; Incisitermes spp. e.g. I. minor, I. snyderi; Marginitermes hubbardi, Kalotermes flavicollis, Neotermes spp. e.g. N. cas- taneus, Zootermopsis spp. e.g. Z. angusticollis, Z. nevadensis, Mastotermes spp. e.g. M. dar- winiensis; Blatta spp. e.g. B. orientalis, B. lateralis; Blattella spp. e.g. B. asahinae, B. germanica; Rhyparobia maderae, Panchlora nivea, Periplaneta spp. e.g. P. americana, P. australasiae, P. brunnea, P. fuliginosa, P. japonica; Supella longipalpa, Parcoblatta pennsylvanica, Eurycotis floridana, Pycnoscelus surinamensis, Insects from the order Siphonoptera e.g. Cediopsylla simples, Ceratophyllus spp., Ctenoce- phalides spp. e.g. C. felis, C. canis, Xenopsylla cheopis, Pulex irritans, Trichodectes canis, Tunga penetrans, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus,

[0039] Insects from the order Thysanura e.g. Lepisma saccharina, Ctenolepisma urbana, and Thermobia domestica,

[0040] Pests from the class Chilopoda e.g. Geophilus spp., Scutigera spp. e.g. Scutigera coleoptrata; Pests from the class Diplopoda e.g. Blaniulus guttulatus, Julus spp., Narceus spp.,

[0041] Pests from the class Symphyla e.g. Scutigerella immaculata, Insects from the order Dermaptera, e.g. Forficula auricularia,

[0042] Insects from the order Collembola, e.g. Onychiurus spp., e.g. Onychiurus armatus, Pests from the order Isopoda, e.g. Armadillidium vulgare, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber, Insects from the order Phthiraptera, e.g. Damalinia spp., Pediculus spp. e.g. Pediculus humanus capitis, Pediculus humanus corporis, Pediculus humanus humanus; Pthirus pubis, Haematopinus spp. e.g. Haematopinus eurysternus, Haematopinus suis; Linognathus spp. e.g. Linognathus vituli; Bovicola bovis, Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus and Solenopotes capillatus, Trichodectes spp.,

[0043] Further pest species which may be controlled by the pesticidal mixture and the methods according to the invention include: from the Phylum Mollusca, class Bivalvia, e.g., Dreissena spp.; class Gastropoda, e.g., Arion spp., Biomphalaria spp., Bulinus spp., Deroceras spp., Galba spp., Lymnaea spp., Oncomelania spp., Pomacea canaliclata, Succinea spp.; from the class of the helminths, e.g., Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Acylostoma braziliensis, Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris lubricoides, Ascaris spp., Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, Bunostomum spp., Chabertia spp., Clonorchis spp., Cooperia spp., Dicrocoelium spp., Dictyocaulus filaria, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculus medinensis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Enterobius vermicularis, Faciola spp., Haemonchus spp. e.g. Haemonchus contortus; Heterakis spp., Hymenolepis nana, Hyostrongulus spp., Loa Loa, Nematodirus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Opisthorchis spp., Onchocerca volvulus, Ostertagia spp., Paragonimus spp., Schistosomen spp., Strongyloides fuel-leborni, Strongyloides stercora lis, Stronyloides spp., Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella pseudopsiralis, Trichostrongulus spp., Trichuris trichuria, Wuchereria bancrofti.

[0044] The pesticidal mixture as well as the methods according to the invention are particularly suitable for efficiently combating insects from the sub-order of Auchenorrhyncha, e.g. Amrasca biguttula, Empoasca spp., Nephotettix virescens, Sogatella furcifera, Mahanarva spp., Laodelphax striatellus, Nilapar-vata lugens, Diaphorina citri, Lycorma delicatula, Pentastiridus leporinus;

[0045] Lepidoptera, e.g. Helicoverpa spp., Heliothis virescens, Lobesia botrana, Ostrinia nubilalis, Plutella xylostella, Pseudoplusia includens, Scirpophaga incertulas, Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, Tuta absoluta, Cnaphalocrocis medialis, Cydia pomonella, Chilo suppressalis, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Agrotis ipsilon, Chrysodeixis includens;

[0046] True bugs, e.g. Lygus spp., Stink bugs such as Euschistus spp., Halyomorpha halys, Nezara viridula, Piezodorus guildinii, Dichelops furcatus;

[0047] Thrips, e.g. Frankliniella spp., Thrips spp., Dichromothrips corbettii;

[0048] Aphids, e.g. Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis spp., Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum spp., Schi- zaphis graminum, Megoura viciae; Whiteflies, e.g. Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia spp.;

[0049] Coleoptera, e.g. Phyllotreta spp., Melanotus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Leptinotarsa decimlineata, Ceutorhynchus spp., Diabrotica spp., Anthonomus grandis, Atomaria linearia, Agriotes spp., Epilachna spp.;

[0050] Flies, e.g. Delia spp., Ceratitis capitate, Bactrocera spp., Liriomyza spp.;

[0051] Coccoidea, e.g. Aonidiella aurantia, Ferrisia virgate;

[0052] Anthropods of class Arachnida (Mites), e.g. Penthaleus major, Tetranychus spp.;

[0053] Nematodes, e.g. Heterodera glycines, Meloidogyne sp., Pratylenchus spp., Caenorhabditis elegans.

[0054] The pesticidal mixture may contain a further agriculturally active ingredient, such as a fungicide, or insecticide, preferably an insecticide.

[0055] The mixtures of the invention can be converted into customary types of agrochemical compositions, e. g. solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dusts, powders, pastes, granules, pressings, capsules, and mixtures thereof. These and further compositions types are defined in the “Catalogue of pesticide formulation types and international coding system”, Technical Monograph No. 2, 6th Ed. May 2008, CropLife International.

[0056] The compositions are prepared in a known manner, such as described by Mollet and Grube- mann, Formulation technology, Wiley VCH, Weinheim, 2001; or Knowles, New developments in crop protection product formulation, Agrow Reports DS243, T&F Informa, London, 2005. In one embodiment, the invention pertains to a method for producing the pesticidal mixture comprising the step of contacting component a) and component b), preferably by mixing liquid compositions comprising component a) or component b), respectively, more preferably aqueous liquid compositions comprising component a) or component b), respectively.

[0057] The mixtures of the invention are employed as such or in form of compositions by in a pesticidally effective amount of the active components. The application can be carried out both before and after the infection of the plants, plant propagation materials, such as seeds, soil, surfaces, materials or rooms by the insects.

[0058] Application methods

[0059] The pesticidal mixture and the sequential application of components a) and b) are suitable for use in protecting crops, plants, plant propagation materials, e.g. seeds, or soil or water, in which the plants are growing, from attack or infestation by animal pests. Therefore, the invention also relates to a plant protection method, which comprises contacting crops, plants, plant propagation materials, e.g. seeds, or soil or water, in which the plants are growing, to be protected from attack or infestation by animal pests, with a pesticidally effective amount of the pesticidal mixture, or sequentially with a pesticidally effective amount of components a) and b).

[0060] The pesticidal mixture and the sequential application of components a) and b) are also suitable for use in combating or controlling animal pests. Therefore, the invention also relates to a method of combating or controlling animal pests, which comprises contacting the animal pests, their habitat, breeding ground, or food supply, or the crops, plants, plant propagation materials, e.g. seeds, or soil, or the area, material or environment in which the animal pests are growing or may grow, with a pesticidally effective amount of the pesticidal mixture, or sequentially with a pesticidally effective amount of components a) and b).

[0061] The pesticidal mixture and the sequential application of components a) and b) are effective through both contact and ingestion. Furthermore, The pesticidal mixture can be applied, and the sequential application of components a) and b) can be made to any and all developmental stages, e.g. egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

[0062] The pesticidal mixture can be applied, and the sequential application of components a) and b) can be made as such or in form of compositions comprising the components a) and / or b) as defined above. Furthermore, the components a) and b) can be applied together with a mixing partner or in form of compositions comprising said mixtures. The components a) and b) can be applied simultaneously, jointly or separately, or in succession, that is immediately one after another and thereby creating the mixture “in situ” on the desired location, e.g. the plant, the sequence, in the case of separate application, generally not having any effect on the result of the control measures.

[0063] The application can be carried out both before and after the infestation of the crops, plants, plant propagation materials, e.g. seeds, soil, or the area, material or environment by the pests.

[0064] Suitable application methods include i.a. soil treatment, seed treatment, in furrow application, and foliar application. Soil treatment methods include drenching the soil, drip irrigation (drip application onto the soil), dipping roots, tubers or bulbs, or soil injection. Seed treatment techniques include seed dressing, seed coating, seed dusting, seed soaking, and seed pelleting. In furrow applications typically include the steps of making a furrow in cultivated land, seeding the furrow with seeds, applying the pesticidally active component to the furrow, and closing the furrow. Foliar application refers to the application to plant foliage, e.g. through spray equipment. For foliar applications, it can be advantageous to modify the behavior of the pests by use of pheromones in combination with the component a) and b). Suitable pheromones for specific crops and pests are known and publicly available from databases of pheromones and semiochemicals, e.g. http: / / www.pherobase.com.

[0065] As used herein, the term "contacting" includes both direct contact (applying the com- pounds / compositions directly on the animal pest or plant - typically to the foliage, stem or roots of the plant) and indirect contact (applying the components / composition to the locus, i.e. habitat, breeding ground, plant, seed, soil, area, material, or environment in which a pest is growing or may grow, of the animal pest or plant).

[0066] The term “animal pest” includes arthropods, gastropods, and nematodes. Preferred animal pests according to the invention are arthropods, preferably insects and arachnids, in particular insects. Insects, which are of particular relevance for crops, are typically referred to as crop insect pests.

[0067] The term "crop" refers to both, growing and harvested crops.

[0068] The term “plant” includes cereals, e.g. durum and other wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, rice, or maize (fodder maize and sugar maize I sweet and field corn); beet, e.g. sugar beet, or fodder beet; fruits, e.g. pomes, stone fruits, or soft fruits, e.g. apples, pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, almonds, cherries, papayas, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries; leguminous plants, e.g. beans, lentils, peas, alfalfa, or soybeans; oil plants, e.g. rapeseed (oilseed rape), turnip rape, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cocoa beans, castor oil plants, oil palms, ground nuts, or soybeans; cucurbits, e.g. squashes, pumpkins, cucumber or melons; fiber plants, e.g. cotton, flax, hemp, or jute; citrus fruit, e.g. oranges, lemons, grapefruits or mandarins; vegetables, e.g. eggplant, spinach, lettuce (e.g. iceberg lettuce), chicory, cabbage, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, garlic, leeks, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or sweet peppers; lauraceous plants, e.g. avocados, cinnamon, or camphor; energy and raw material plants, e.g. corn, soybean, rapeseed, sugar cane or oil palm; tobacco; nuts, e.g. walnuts; pistachios; coffee; tea; bananas; vines; hop; sweet leaf (Stevia); natural rubber plants or ornamental and forestry plants, shrubs, broad-leaved trees or evergreens, eucalyptus; turf; lawn; grass. Preferred plants include potatoes sugar beets, tobacco, wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, rapeseed, legumes, sunflowers, coffee, or sugar cane; fruits; vines; ornamentals; or vegetables, e.g. cucumbers, tomatoes, beans or squashes. The term plant includes “cultivated plants”.

[0069] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood as including plants which have been modified by mutagenesis or genetic engineering in order to provide a new trait to a plant or to modify an already present trait.

[0070] Mutagenesis includes techniques of random mutagenesis using X-rays or mutagenic chemicals, but also techniques of targeted mutagenesis, in order to create mutations at a specific locus of a plant genome. Targeted mutagenesis techniques frequently use oligonucleotides or proteins like CRISPR / Cas, zinc-finger nucleases, TALENs or meganucleases to achieve the targeting effect.

[0071] Genetic engineering usually uses recombinant DNA techniques to create modifications in a plant genome which under natural circumstances cannot readily be obtained by cross breeding, mutagenesis or natural recombination. Typically, one or more genes are integrated into the genome of a plant in order to add a trait or improve a trait. These integrated genes are also referred to as transgenes in the art, while plant comprising such transgenes are referred to as transgenic plants. The process of plant transformation usually produces several transformation events, which differ in the genomic locus in which a transgene has been integrated. Plants comprising a specific transgene on a specific genomic locus are usually described as comprising a specific “event”, which is referred to by a specific event name. Traits which have been introduced in plants or have been modified include in particular herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, increased yield and tolerance to abiotic conditions, like drought.

[0072] Herbicide tolerance has been created by using mutagenesis as well as using genetic engineering. Plants which have been rendered tolerant to ALS inhibitor herbicides by conventional methods of mutagenesis and breeding comprise plant varieties commercially available under the name Clearfield®.

[0073] Herbicide tolerance has been created to glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D, dicamba, oxynil herbicides, like bromoxynil and ioxynil, sulfonylurea herbicides, ALS inhibitor herbicides and HPPD inhibitors, like isoxaflutole and mesotrione.

[0074] Transgenes which have been used to provide herbicide tolerance traits comprise: for tolerance to glyphosate: cp4 epsps, epsps grg23ace5, mepsps, 2mepsps, gat4601 , gat4621 and goxv247, for tolerance to glufosinate: pat and bar, for tolerance to 2,4-D: aad-1 and aad-12, for tolerance to dicamba: dmo, for tolerance to oxynil herbicies: bxn, for tolerance to sulfonylurea herbicides: zm-hra, csr1-2, gm-hra, S4-HrA, for tolerance to ALS inhibitor herbicides: csr1-2, for tolerance to HPPD inhibitor herbicides: hppdPF, W336 and avhppd-03.

[0075] Transgenic corn events comprising herbicide tolerance genes are e.g., but not excluding others, DAS40278, MON801 , MON802, MON809, MON810, MON832, MON87411 , MON87419, MON87427, MON88017, MON89034, NK603, GA21 , MZHGOJG, HCEM485, VCO- 01981-5, 676, 678, 680, 33121, 4114, 59122, 98140, Bt10, Bt176, CBH-351, DBT418, DLL25, MS3, MS6, MZIR098, T25, TC1507 and TC6275.

[0076] Transgenic soybean events comprising herbicide tolerance genes are e.g., but not excluding others, GTS 40-3-2, MON87705, MON87708, MON87712, MON87769, MON89788, A2704-12, A2704-21, A5547-127, A5547-35, DP356043, DAS44406-6, DAS68416-4, DAS-81419-2, GU262, SYHT0H2, W62, W98, FG72 and CV127.

[0077] Transgenic cotton events comprising herbicide tolerance genes are e.g., but not excluding others, 19-51a, 31707, 42317, 81910, 281-24-236, 3006-210-23, BXN10211, BXN10215, BXN10222, BXN10224, MON1445, MON1698, MON88701, MON88913, GHB119, GHB614, LLCotton25, T303-3 and T304-40.

[0078] Transgenic canola events comprising herbicide tolerance genes are e.g., but not excluding others, MON88302, HCR-1, HCN10, HCN28, HCN92, MS1 , MS8, PHY14, PHY23, PHY35, PHY36, RF1 , RF2 and RF3.

[0079] Insect resistance has mainly been created by transferring bacterial genes for insecticidal proteins to plants. Transgenes which have most frequently been used are toxin genes of Bacillus spec, and synthetic variants thereof, like cry1A, crylAb, cry1Ab-Ac, crylAc, cry1A.1O5, cry1F, cry1Fa2, cry2Ab2, cry2Ae, mcry3A, ecry3.1Ab, cry3Bb1 , cry34Ab1, cry35Ab1 , cry9C, vip3A(a), vip3Aa20. However, also genes of plant origin have been transferred to other plants. In particular genes coding for protease inhibitors, like CpTI and pinll. A further approach uses transgenes in order to produce double stranded RNA in plants to target and downregulate insect genes. An example for such a transgene is dvsnf7.

[0080] Transgenic corn events comprising genes for insecticidal proteins or double stranded RNA are e.g., but not excluding others, Bt10, Bt11 , Bt176, MON801 , MON802, MON809, MON810, MON863, MON87411 , MON88017, MON89034, 33121, 4114, 5307, 59122, TC1507, TC6275, CBH-351 , MIR162, DBT418 and MZIR098.

[0081] Transgenic soybean events comprising genes for insecticidal proteins are e.g., but not excluding others, MON87701 , MON87751 and DAS-81419.

[0082] Transgenic cotton events comprising genes for insecticidal proteins are e.g., but not excluding others, SGK321 , MON531 , MON757, MON1076, MON15985, 31707, 31803, 31807, 31808, 42317, BNLA-601, Eventl , COT67B, COT102, T303-3, T304-40, GFM Cry1A, GK12, MLS 9124, 281-24-236, 3006-210-23, GHB119 and SGK321.

[0083] Increased yield has been created by increasing ear biomass using the transgene athb17, be-ing present in corn event MON87403, or by enhancing photosynthesis using the transgene bbx32, being present in the soybean event MON87712.

[0084] Cultivated plants comprising a modified oil content have been created by using the transgenes: gm-fad2-1, Pj.D6D, Nc.Fad3, fad2-1A and fatb1-A. Soybean events comprising at least one of these genes are: 260-05, MON87705 and MON87769.

[0085] Tolerance to abiotic conditions, in particular to tolerance to drought, has been created by using the transgene cspB, comprised by the corn event MON87460 and by using the transgene Hahb- 4, comprised by soybean event IND-00410-5.

[0086] Traits are frequently combined by combining genes in a transformation event or by combining different events during the breeding process. Preferred combination of traits are herbicide tolerance to different groups of herbicides, insect tolerance to different kind of insects, in particular tolerance to lepidopteran and coleopteran insects, herbicide tolerance with one or several types of insect resistance, herbicide tolerance with increased yield as well as a combination of herbicide tolerance and tolerance to abiotic conditions.

[0087] Plants comprising singular or stacked traits as well as the genes and events providing these traits are known (http: / / www.isaaa.org / gmapprovaldatabase) and (http: / / cera- gmc.org / GMCropDatabase).

[0088] Further information on specific events and methods to detect them can be found for canola events MS1 , MS8, RF3, GT73, MON88302, KK179 in WG01 / 031042, WG01 / 041558, WG01 / 041558, WG02 / 036831 , W011 / 153186, W013 / 003558, for cotton events MON 1445, MON15985, MON531(MON15985), LLCotton25, MON88913, COT102, 281-24-236, 3006-210- 23, COT67B, GHB614, T304-40, GHB119, MON88701 , 81910 in WO02 / 034946, W002 / 100163, W002 / 100163, W003 / 013224, WO04 / 072235, WO04 / 039986, W005 / 103266, W005 / 103266, WO06 / 128573, W007 / 017186, W008 / 122406, W008 / 151780, WO12 / 134808, WO13 / 112527, for corn events GA21 , MON810, DLL25, TC1507, MON863, MIR604, LY038, MON88017, 3272, 59122, NK603, MIR162, MON89034, 98140, 32138, MON87460, 5307, 4114, MON87427, DAS40278, MON87411 , 33121 , MON87403, MON87419 in W098 / 044140, US02 / 102582, US03 / 126634, WO04 / 099447, W004 / 011601 , W005 / 103301 , W005 / 061720, W005 / 059103, WO06 / 098952, WO06 / 039376, US2007 / 292854, WO07 / 142840, W007 / 140256, WO08 / 112019, W009 / 103049, WO09 / 111263, W010 / 077816, WO11 / 084621 , W011 / 062904, WO11 / 022469, WO13 / 169923, WO14 / 116854, WO15 / 053998, WO15 / 142571 , for potato events E12, F10, J3, J55, V11 , X17, Y9 in WO14 / 178910, WO14 / 178913, WO1 4 / 178941 , WO14 / 179276, WO16 / 183445, WO17 / 062831 , WO17 / 062825, for rice events LLRICE06, LLRICE601 , LLRICE62 in WO00 / 026345, WO00 / 026356, WO00 / 026345 for soybean events H7-1 , MON89788, A2704-12, A5547-127, DP305423, DP356043, MON87701 , MON87769, CV127, MON87705, DAS68416-4, MON87708, MON87712, SYHT0H2, DAS81419, DAS81419 X DAS44406-6, MON87751 in WO04 / 074492, W006 / 130436, WO06 / 108674, WO06 / 108675, WO08 / 054747, W008 / 002872, WO09 / 064652, WO09 / 102873, WO1 0 / 080829, WO10 / 037016, WO11 / 066384, WO11 / 034704, WO12 / 051199, WO12 / 082548, WO13 / 016527, WO13 / 016516, WO14 / 201235.

[0089] The use of the pesticidal mixture or sequential application of the components a) and b) according to the invention on cultivated plants may result in effects which are specific to a cultivated plant comprising a certain gene or event. These effects may comprise enhanced yield, enhanced resistance or tolerance to insects, nematodes, fungal, bacterial, mycoplasma, viral or viroid pathogens as well as early vigor, early or delayed ripening, cold or heat tolerance as well as changed amino acid or fatty acid spectrum or content..

[0090] All of the above cultivated plants are understood to comprise all species, subspecies, variants, varieties and / or hybrids which belong to the respective cultivated plants, including but not limited to winter and spring varieties, in particular in cereals such as wheat and barley, as well as oilseed rape, e.g. winter wheat, spring wheat, winter barley etc, further including dwarf, semidwarf and full-dwarf varieties and / or hybrids with reduced height and thicker and shorter stems, e.g. short stature corn (also called ‘smart corn’), semi-dwarf wheat and dwarf rice.

[0091] Corn (Zea mays) is also known as Indian corn or maize which comprises all kinds of corn such as field corn and sweet corn. According to the invention all maize or corn subspecies and / or varieties are comprised, in particular flour corn (Zea mays var. amylacea), popcorn (Zea mays var. everta), dent corn (Zea mays var. indentata), flint corn (Zea mays var. indurata), sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata and var. rugosa), waxy corn (Zea mays var. ceratina), amylomaize (high amylose Zea mays varieties), pod corn or wild maize (Zea mays var. tunicata) and striped maize (Zea mays var. japonica).

[0092] Most soybean cultivars are classifiable into indeterminate and determinate growth habit, whereas Glycine soja, the wild progenitor of soybean, is indeterminate (PNAS 2010, 107 (19) 8563-8568). The indeterminate growth habit (Maturity Group, MG 00 to MG 4.9) is charactenized by a continuation of vegetative growth after flowering begins whereas determinate soybean varieties (MG 5 to MG 8) characteristically have finished most of their vegetative growth when flowering begins. According to the invention all soybean cultivars or varieties are comprised, in particular indeterminate and determinate cultivars or varieties.

[0093] It has been found that the pesticidal activity of the pesticidal mixture or the effect of the sequential application of components a) and b) according to the invention may be enhanced by the insecticidal trait of a modified plant. Furthermore, it has been found that the pesticidal mixture or the sequential application of components a) and b) according to the invention are suitable for preventing insects to become resistant to the insecticidal trait or for combating pests, which already have become resistant to the insecticidal trait of a modified plant. Moreover, the the pesticidal mixture or the sequential application of components a) and b) according to the invention are suitable for combating pests, against which the insecticidal trait is not effective, so that a complementary insecticidal activity can advantageously be used.

[0094] The term "plant propagation material" refers to all the generative parts of the plant e.g. seeds and vegetative plant material e.g. cuttings and tubers (e.g. potatoes), which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants. Seedlings and young plants, which are to be trans-planted after germination or after emergence from soil, may also be included. These plant propagation materials may be treated prophylactical ly with a the pesticidal mixture components a) and b) according to the invention either at or before planting or transplanting.

[0095] The term “seed” embraces seeds and plant propagules of all kinds including but not limited to true seeds, seed pieces, suckers, corms, bulbs, fruit, tubers, grains, cuttings, cut shoots and the like, and means in a preferred embodiment true seeds.

[0096] In general, "pesticidally effective amount" means the amount of active ingredient needed to achieve an observable effect on growth, including the effects of necrosis, death, retardation, prevention, and removal, destruction, or otherwise diminishing the occurrence and activity of the target organism. The pesticidally effective amount can vary for the various components / compositions used in the invention. A pesticidally effective amount of the compositions will also vary according to the prevailing conditions e.g. desired pesticidal effect and duration, weather, target species, locus, mode of application.

[0097] In the case of soil treatment, in furrow application or of application to the pests dwelling place or nest, the quantity of active ingredient ranges from 0.0001 to 500 g per 100 m2, preferably from 0.001 to 20 g per 100 m2.

[0098] For use in treating crop plants, e.g. by foliar application, the rate of application of the active ingredients of this invention may be in the range of 0.0001 g to 4000 g per hectare, e.g. from 1 g to 2 kg per hectare or from 1 g to 750 g per hectare, desirably from 1 g to 100 g per hectare, more desirably from 10 g to 50 g per hectare, e.g., 10 to 20 g per hectare, 20 to 30 g per hectare, 30 to 40 g per hectare, or 40 to 50 g per hectare. The pesticidal mixture or the sequential application of components a) and b) according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in the treatment of seeds in order to protect the seeds from insect pests, in particular from soil-living insect pests, and the resulting seedling’s roots and shoots against soil pests and foliar insects. The invention therefore also relates to a method for the protection of seeds from insects, in particular from soil insects, and of the seedling's roots and shoots from insects, in particular from soil and foliar insects, said method comprising treating the seeds before sowing and / or after pregermination with the pesticidal mixture or the with a sequential application of components a) and b) according to the invention. The protection of the seedling's roots and shoots is preferred. More preferred is the protection of seedling’s shoots from piercing and sucking insects, chewing insects and nematodes.

[0099] The term “seed treatment” comprises e.g. seed dressing, seed coating, seed dusting, seed soaking, seed pelleting, and in-furrow application methods. Preferably, the seed treatment application is carried out by spraying or by dusting the seeds before sowing of the plants and before emergence of the plants.

[0100] The invention also comprises seeds coated with or containing the pesticidal mixture. The term "coated with and / or containing" generally signifies that the pesticidal mixture is for the most part on the surface of the propagation product at the time of application, although a greater or lesser part of the ingredient may penetrate into the propagation product, depending on the method of application. When the said propagation product is (re)planted, it may absorb the pesticidal mixture.

[0101] Suitable seed is e.g. seed of cereals, root crops, oil crops, vegetables, spices, ornamentals, e.g. seed of durum and other wheat, barley, oats, rye, maize (fodder maize and sugar maize I sweet and field corn), soybeans, oil crops, crucifers, cotton, sunflowers, bananas, rice, oilseed rape, turnip rape, sugarbeet, fodder beet, eggplants, potatoes, grass, lawn, turf, fodder grass, tomatoes, leeks, pumpkin / squash, cabbage, iceberg lettuce, pepper, cucumbers, melons, Brassica species, melons, beans, peas, garlic, onions, carrots, tuberous plants e.g. potatoes, sugar cane, tobacco, grapes, petunias, geranium / pelargoniums, pansies and impatiens.

[0102] In addition, the pesticidal mixture may also be used for the treatment of seeds from plants, which have been modified by mutagenisis or genetic engineering, and which e.g. tolerate the action of herbicides or fungicides or insecticides.

[0103] In the treatment of seed, the application rates of the components a) and b) are generally from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of seed, preferably from 1 g to 5 kg per 100 kg of seed, more preferably from 1 g to 1000 g per 100 kg of seed and in particular from 1 g to 200 g per 100 kg of seed, e.g. from 1 g to 100 g or from 5 g to 100 g per 100 kg of seed.

[0104] The invention therefore also relates to seed comprising the pesticidal mixture as defined herein. The amount of the pesticidal mixture will in general vary from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of seed, preferably from 1 g to 5 kg per 100 kg of seed, in particular from 1 g to 1000 g per 100 kg of seed. For specific crops e.g. lettuce the rate can be higher.

[0105] Examples

[0106] The invention is now illustrated in further details by the following examples.

[0107] Synergism can be described as an interaction where the combined effect of two or more compounds is greater than the sum of the individual effects of each of the compounds. The presence of a synergistic effect in terms of percent control or efficiacy, between two mixing partners (X and Y) can be calculated using the Colby equation (Colby, S. R., 1967, Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses in Herbicide Combinations, Weeds, 15, 20-22):

[0108] E -- X+Y - 100

[0109] The measured parameters were compared to the percentage the feeding damage, based on the untreated control, in the respective active compounds. These percentages were converted into efficacies. An efficacy of 0 means that the control of feeding damage corresponds to that of the untreated control; an efficacy of 100 means that the insect was not producing any feeding damage.

[0110] The expected efficacies of active compound mixtures were determined using Colby's formula [R.S. Colby, “Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations", Weeds 15, 20-22 (1967)] and compared with the observed efficacies.

[0111] The following tests can demonstrate the control efficacy of mixtures or compositions of this invention on specific insects. However, the pest control protection afforded by the compounds, mixtures or compositions is not limited to these species. Dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI5339 were applied as dilutions of the commercial BASF products Efficon, containing 120g / L of dimpropyridaz, and Velifer, containing 76.8 g / l of B. bassiana strain PPRI5339, respectively.

[0112] Exam pie- 1

[0113] Nine day old cotton plants were sprayed with dimpropyridaz and / or B. bassiana strain PPRI5339. Dimpropyridaz was sprayed at a rate of 1.2 liter per hectare with a dose of 144 gramms per hectare. B. bassiana strain PPRI5339 was sprayed at a rate of one liter per hectare with a dose of 76.8 gramms per hectare. After drying, cotton leaves were removed and circular leaf discs (~1 cm diameter) were punched from the treated surface and transferred to clean 20 mL scintillation vials. Twenty Western flower thrips were aspirated into each scintillation vial. The vials with the leaf discs and thrips were kept in an upright incubator at 25°C and 60% relative humidity with a 14:10 light:dark photoperiod. Each treatment was replicated 10-fold. Feeding damage was assessed by visual observation at 7 days after treatment. Feeding damage was converted to % efficacy based on the untreated control. Table 1 summarizes the recorded data.

[0114] Table 1 : Efficacy of treatments at 7 days after treatment

[0115] Example-2

[0116] Ten day old cotton plants were sprayed with the dimpropyridaz and / or B. bassiana strain PPRI5339. Dimpropyridaz was sprayed at a rate of 1.2 liter per hectare and in a dose of 144 gramms per hectare. B. bassiana strain PPRI5339 was sprayed at a rate of 0.5 liter per hectare and in a dose of 38.4 gramms per hectare. After drying, cotton leaves were removed and circular leaf discs (~1 cm diameter) were punched from the treated surface and transferred to clean 20 mL scintillation vials. Twenty Western flower thrips were aspirated into each scintillation vial. The vials with the leaf discs and thrips were kept in an upright incubator at 25 °C and 60% relative humidity with a 14:10 light:dark photoperiod. Each treatment was replicated 7-fold. Feeding damage was assessed by visual observation at 7 days after treatment. Feeding damage was converted to % efficacy based on the untreated control. Table 2 summarizes the recorded data.

[0117] Table 2: Efficacy of treatments at 7 days after treatment

[0118] Example-3

[0119] Control of Bemisia tabaci on the indoor tomato crop Solanum lycopersicum by sequential application of dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI5339 was evaluated. Plants were sprayed at 7-day intervals with a total of 10 treatments. Efficacy of treatment was determined by comparistion to untreated control plants 6 days after the respective application. Efficon, containing dimpropyridaz, was sprayed at full label rate of 0.4 liter per hectare of leaf wall area. Velifer, containing B. bassiana strain PPRI5339, was sprayed at a concentration of 0.05%. Trials were repeated 4-times each. Table 3 shows a summary of the spray program for dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI5339. Table 4 shows a summary of the treatment efficacies after treatments 1 , 5, 6, and 10.

[0120] Table 3: Spray program summary. “A” means treatment with dimpropyridaz. “B” means treatment with B. bassiana strain PPRI5339.

[0121] Table 4: Control rates [%] of treatment plans according to Table 3 at 6 days after the respective treatments 1 , 5, 6, and 10

[0122] The results showed an improved control rate via sequential application of dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI 5339 as compared to a solo-treatment with dimpropyridaz. Example-4

[0123] Control of Bemisia tabaci on the indoor tomato crop Solanum lycopersicum by sequential application of dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI5339 was evaluated. Plants were sprayed at 7-day intervals with a total of 10 treatments. Nesidiocoris tenuis was released. Efficacy of treatment was determined by comparistion to untreated control plants 6 days after the respective application. Efficon, containing dimpropyridaz, was sprayed at full label rate of 0.4 liter per hectare of leaf wall area. Velifer, containing B. bassiana strain PPRI5339, was sprayed at a concentration of 0.05%. Trials were repeated 2-times each. Table 5 shows a summary of the spray program for dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI5339. Table 6 shows a summary of the treatment efficacies on adults and immature insects after application 5 based on accumulated insect days. Tables 6 and 7 show a summary of the treatment efficacies on adults and immature insects after application 5 or 10, respectively, based on accumulated insect days.

[0124] Table 5: Spray program summary. “A” means treatment with dimpropyridaz. “B” means treatment with B. bassiana strain PPRI5339.

[0125] Table 6: Control rates [%] of treatment plans according to Table 5 at 6 days after application 5.

[0126] Table 7: Control rates [%] of treatment plans according to Table 5 at 6 days after application 10.

[0127] The results showed an improved control rate via sequential application of dimpropyridaz and B. bassiana strain PPRI 5339 as compared to a solo-treatment with dimpropyridaz.

[0128] Example-5:

[0129] Seven days old cotton plants (Cotyledons only) were sprayed with dimpropyridaz and / or B. bassiana strain PPRI5339. Dimpropyridaz was sprayed at a rate of 1.2 liter per hectare in a dose of 144 gramms per hectare. B. bassiana strain PPRI5339 was sprayed at a rate of one liter and two hundred and fifty mililiters per hectare in a dose of 96 gramms per hectare. After drying, cotton plants, twenty adults of Western flower thrips were added into each plastic cup containing one cotton plant. The cups with the cotton plants and thrips were kept in an upright incubator at 25°C and 60% relative humidity with a 14:10 light:dark photoperiod. Each treatment was replicated 10-fold. Feeding damage was assessed by visual observation at 7 days after treatment. Feeding damage was converted to % efficacy based on the untreated control. Table 8 summarizes the recorded data.

[0130] Table 8: Efficacy of treatments at 7 days after treatment

[0131] Same prodcedure than above was performed to compare with the Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, which is commercially available as Botanigard ES and which was applied at 0.946 L / ha. The rate used was calcuated to match the number of spores in the experiment with Velifer (Strain PPRI 5339). The concentration of dimpropyridaz was the same for both experiments. Table 9 summarizes the recorded data.

[0132] Table 9: Efficacy of treatments at 7 days after treatment

[0133] Example-6

[0134] Nine days old cotton was used for the experiment. Infestation was accomplished by placing plants with mix of adults for approximately 24 hours in cages. Plants with only the eggs (counted) were held in holding room for 7 days (water as needed) to have late 1st- mid 2ndinstar nymphs. The infested plants with nymphs were dipped into treatment solutions and kept nine days in the greenhouse waiting for adult emergence. Doses used for dimpropyridaz corresponded to 30 g ai / ha and Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI5331 with 4.72 g ai / ha. The number of replications for the assay was six. The results are summarized in Table 10.

[0135] Table 10: Efficacy of treatments at 9 days after dipping of nymphs

Claims

Claims1. Pesticidal mixture of components a) 1-[(1RS)-1 ,2-dimethylpropyl]-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-1 H-pyrazole-4- carboxamide (common name dimpropyridaz) of formula I:or a stereoisomer, tautomer, salt, or N-oxide thereof; and b) Beauveria bassiana strain PPRI 5339; in synergistically effective amounts.

2. The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of component a) to component b) is from 1000:1 to 1:1000.

3. The mixture of claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio of component a) to component b) is from 100:1 to 1:100.

4. The mixture of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the weight ratio of component a) to component b) is from 10:1 to 1:10.

5. The mixture of any of the preceding claims containing at least one further insecticide or fungicide.

6. An agricultural composition for combating animal pests comprising a pesticidal mixture as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 and at least one inert liquid and / or solid acceptable carrier and, if desired, at least one surfactant.

7. The agrochemical composition of claim 6, wherein the composition is an aqueous liquid composition.

8. Method for preparing the pesticidal mixture as defined in any of claims 1 to 5, comprising the step of contacting component a) and component b) as defined in any of claims 1 to 5.

9. A method for protecting growing plants or plant propagation materials from attack or infestation by invertebrate pests, which method comprises contacting a plant, a plant propagation material or soil or water in which the plant is growing, with a pesticidally effective amount of a pesticidal mixture as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, or sequentially with a pesticidally effective amount of component a) and component b) as defined in any of claims 1 to 5.

10. A method for combating or controlling invertebrate pests, which method comprises contacting said pest or its food supply, habitat or breeding grounds with a pesticidally effective amount of a pesticidal mixture as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, orsequentially with a pesticidally effective amount of component a) and component b) as defined in any of claims 1 to 5.

11. The method of claim 9 or the method of claim 10, wherein the sequential application of component a) and component b) is carried out in a time interval of up to 30 days.

12. A method for protection of plant propagation material comprising contacting the plant propagation material with a pesticidal mixture as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 or the agrochemical composition as defined in any of claims 6 to 7, in an amount of from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of plant propagation material.

13. Plant propagation material comprising a pesticidal mixture as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 in an amount of from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of seed.

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