Anti-insect composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for controlling mosquito populations, the composition comprising a liquid surface protector combined with an adulticide and / or an attractant, and use thereof.

Description

ANTI-INSECT COMPOSITIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to controlling insect populations, and in particular a method for killing insects. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a composition for use in a method of controlling mosquito populations, and methods for delivering insecticides to mosquitoes. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The following discussion of the prior art is provided to place the invention in an appropriate technical context and enable the advantages of it to be more fully understood. It should be appreciated, however, that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should not be considered as an express or implied admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] Mosquito-borne diseases are a major health problem in many countries around the world. Malaria and dengue fever are the most prevalent, but several other diseases such as yellow fever, chikungunya virus, zika virus and West Nile virus also exist in many countries. Although extensive resources have been devoted to finding vaccines for these diseases, progress has been slow. Until effective vaccines are produced, the most common way to minimise the incidence of these diseases is to reduce the number of mosquitoes which spread them.

[0004] During the mosquito lifecycle, the females of most mosquito species come into contact with the water when they lay their eggs in a raft on the surface. The eggs develop into four larvae stages (called instars), then pupae, before emerging as adults (Fig. 1).

[0005] There are two main approaches to killing mosquitoes, which target either adult mosquitos (e.g. adulticides) or juvenile mosquitos (e.g. larvicides). An adulticide is an insecticide that is used to kill adult mosquitos. There are four main methods to distribute an adulticide agent into contact with a mosquito to kill the mosquito:(i) insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) which are typically employed in malaria-affected countries on a large scale - particularly in Africa, but also in several non-African countries. ITNs may be placed over a bed or within the eave tubes of a house. When a female mosquito lands on an ITN during the night, looking to feed on the blood from a person beneath thenet or enter a building, the mosquito picks up some of the toxic insecticide and subsequently dies;(ii) spraying of an insecticide to the inside walls of a hut or other building, such that when the female mosquito lands on the wall it collects some of the insecticide and subsequently dies;(iii) spraying or fogging an insecticide in areas where mosquitoes may congregate outdoors. For example, mosquitoes can rest under plants, in dense brush or tall grasses, and on the undersides of leaves on trees and bushes. They can also rest under the eaves on buildings, under decks and porches, and in moist, shady areas. The fogging process brings the insecticide into contact with the mosquito, which subsequently dies;(iv) mosquito coils, which are similar to spraying or fogging as the coil releases insecticide as it is consumed such that mosquitoes come into contact with the insecticide, and subsequently die; and(v) attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB), which typically consist of an oral toxic component, a sugar component to encourage feeding on the ATSB, and a scented component attractive to mosquitos or other target vectors.

[0006] There are many chemicals used as mosquito adulticides. They include clothianidin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, bendiocarb, alpha-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, etofenprox, broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, isocycloseram, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, imidacloprid, prallethrin, flupyradifurone, transfluthrin and malathion, plant extracts such as pyrethrin, citronella, limonene and flavesone, as well as fungal-based products such as beauveria bassiana GHA, which have been found to be effective on adult mosquitoes.

[0007] Mosquito larvicides are also known, which target the young mosquitoes (larvae and pupae) breeding in standing water. Mosquitoes can breed in very small water bodies such as puddles, pot plant trays, air conditioner trays, bird baths and buckets, ranging through to stagnant canals, ponds and swamps. Larvicides are normally diluted in water and then sprayed from a spray unit onto the water in the targeted breeding sites. The larvicide blends / dissolves into the water and spreads throughout. The larvae are exposed to the larvicide as they move up and down the water column and subsequently die.

[0008] As they target different stages of the mosquito lifecycle, the chemicals employed as adulticides are different from those employed as larvicides. Common larvicides include temephos,diflubenzuron, novaluron, spinosad and a biological product called bacillus thuringiensis israelinsis.

[0009] There are disadvantages associated with the current methods. For example, it is not feasible to simply apply an adulticide to a body of standing water with a spray unit for two main reasons.1. As the adulticide would only come in contact with an adult mosquito at the surface of the water body, almost all of the adulticide would be wasted as it would be distributed throughout the whole water body. Even at a very high concentration in the water, the adulticide may be ineffective due to the relatively small quantity exposed to the adult mosquitoes at the surface.2. Additionally, the quantity required may cause toxicity issues with the water (which could be a drinking water barrel or some other type of drinking water storage), as well as being prohibitively expensive to be widely adopted.

[0010] For these reasons, adulticides have not been employed in standing water previously. This is despite the fact that egg-laying is an integral part of the mosquito lifecycle.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate one or more the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

[0012] It is an object of at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a composition that can reduce the population of mosquitoes in water, or to overcome a limitation of current compositions used to reduce mosquito populations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a composition for controlling mosquito populations, the composition comprising a liquid surface protector combined with an adulticide and / or an attractant.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for reducing the population of mosquitoes comprising the steps of: applying the composition according to the first aspect to a liquid surface at a rate of 0.3 to 50 gm / m2, wherein the composition forms a substantially continuous protective film across the surface of the liquid.

[0015] In one embodiment, the liquid surface protector comprises silicone polymer in a concentration of from 5 to 95 wt%; carrier material in a concentration of from 0 to 90 wt%; and surfactant in a concentration of from 0 to 20 wt%.

[0016] In another embodiment, the liquid surface protector comprises vegetable oil or mineral oil in a concentration of from 5 to 95%; and surfactant in a concentration of from 0 to 20 wt%.

[0017] In other embodiments, the composition for controlling mosquito populations comprises an adulticide selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, bendiocarb, alpha-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, etofenprox, broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, isocycloseram, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, imidacloprid, prallethrin, flupyradifurone, transfluthrin, malathion, pyrethrin, citronella, limonene, flavesone, beauveria bassiana GHA, and combinations thereof.

[0018] In yet further embodiments, the composition for controlling mosquito populations comprises an attractant selected from the group consisting of linalool oxide, butanone, heptanoic acid, hexanal, octanoic acid, decanal, propionic acid, octanal 3-methyl-1-butanone, hexanoic acid, dimethyldisulfide, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, tetradecanoic acid, nonanal, acetone, ammonia, lactic acid, 1-octen-3-ol, cedrol, bamboo infusions, oak leaf infusions, rice volatiles, mushroom volatiles, hay infusions, grass infusions, milkweed, cheese odour extract, mango, chimpanzee odour extract, goat odour extract, chicken odour extract, mouse odour extract, rabbit odour extract, and combinations thereof.

[0019] These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent to the skilled addressee upon reading the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying examples and claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Fig.1 illustrates the mosquito lifecycle from the egg, larvae, pupae, and adult stage.DEFINITIONS

[0021] In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0022] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.

[0023] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the terms “comprise”, “'comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. For example, a composition, mixture, process or method that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, mixture, process or method.

[0024] The transitional phrase "consisting of’ excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified. If in the claim, such would close the claim to the inclusion of materials other than those recited except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith. When the phrase "consisting of' appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

[0025] The transitional phrase "consisting essentially of" is used to define a composition, process or method that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term "consisting essentially of' occupies a middle ground between "comprising" and "consisting of".

[0026] Where the applicant has defined an invention or a portion thereof with an open-ended term such as "comprising", it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description should be interpreted to also describe such an invention using the terms "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of." In other words, with respect to the terms “comprising”, “consisting of”, and “consisting essentially of’, where one of these three terms is used herein, the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either of the other two terms. Thus, in some embodiments not otherwise explicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”.

[0027] While reference may be made in this disclosure to the invention comprising a combination of a plurality of elements, it is also understood that this invention is regarded to comprise combinations which omit or exclude one or more of such elements, even if this omissionor exclusion of an element or elements is not expressly stated herein, unless it is expressly stated herein that an element is essential to the applicant' s combination and cannot be omitted. It is further understood that the related prior art may include elements from which this invention may be distinguished by negative claim limitations, even without any express statement of such negative limitations herein. It is to be understood, between the positive statements of applicant's invention expressly stated herein, and the prior art and knowledge of the prior art by those of ordinary skill which is incorporated herein even if not expressly reproduced here for reasons of economy, that any and all such negative claim limitations supported by the prior art are also considered to be within the scope of this disclosure and its associated claims, even absent any express statement herein about any particular negative claim limitations.

[0028] As used herein, with reference to numbers in a range of numerals, the terms "about," "approximately" and "substantially" are understood to refer to the range of -10% to +10% of the referenced number, preferably -5% to +5% of the referenced number, more preferably -1 % to + 1 % of the referenced number, most preferably -0 .1 % to +0 .1 % of the referenced number. Moreover, with reference to numerical ranges, these terms should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, from 8 to 10, and so forth.

[0029] The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

[0030] The complete disclosures of the patents, patent documents and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated.

[0031] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0032] The term "and / or" used in the context of "X and / or Y" should be interpreted as "X," or "Y," or "X and Y." Similarly, "at least one of X or Y" should be interpreted as "X," or "Y," or "both X and Y."

[0033] The indefinite articles "a" and "an" preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be non-restrictive regarding the number of instances (i.e., occurrences) of the element or component. Therefore "a" or "an" should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular.

[0034] As used herein, wt.% refers to the weight of a particular component relative to total weight of the referenced composition.

[0035] It will be understood that use of the term “between” herein when referring to a range of numerical values encompasses the numerical values at each endpoint of the range. For example, a temperature of between 80 °C and 150 °C is inclusive of a temperature of 80 °C and a temperature of 150 °C.

[0036] Various features of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, but may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. All combinations of the embodiments are specifically embraced by the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein just as if each and every combination was individually and explicitly disclosed. In addition, all sub-combinations listed in the embodiments describing such variables are also specifically embraced by the present compositions and are disclosed herein just as if each and every such sub-combination was individually and explicitly disclosed herein.

[0037] In the foregoing paragraphs, where various ratios of components have been disclosed. It will be appreciated that these ratios of components can be combined in any disclosed combination. For example, the ratio of A:B (which may be between about 100:1 and 1 :100 or any range therein), may be combined with the ratio of C:D (which may be between about 50:1 and 1 :50 or any range therein), and may be combined with the ratio of E:F (which may be between about 10:1 and about 1 :10 or any range therein).DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The skilled addressee will understand that the invention comprises the embodiments and features disclosed herein as well as all combinations and / or permutations of the disclosed embodiments and features.

[0039] As detailed above, the application of insecticides to bodies of water has many problems, one example being the relatively high concentration of chemicals required to effectivelycontrol mosquito populations, and that some chemicals may be hazardous to humans or to the environment. It has been now surprisingly found that it is possible to target the killing of adult (as well as juvenile) mosquitoes, and / or to increase the total number of mosquitoes killed, and / or to achieve more effective control over mosquito populations by utilizing an adulticide that is blended into a liquid surface protector. Surprisingly, a significantly lower concentration of adulticide is required compared to treating an entire body of water. The present invention provides a novel way to target both the young and adult female mosquitoes in a single application.

[0040] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a composition for controlling mosquito populations, the composition comprising a liquid surface protector combined with an adulticide and / or an attractant.

[0041] As used herein, the term “liquid surface protector” will be understood to mean a liquid composition that is immiscible with water such that it will form a substantially continuous protective film across a liquid surface. Suitable compositions include, but are not limited to, hydrophobic compositions comprising silicone-based polymers, plant-based oils, for example, vegetable oil or seed oil, mineral oils, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid surface protector comprises an oil selected from vegetable oil or mineral oil. In other embodiments, the liquid surface protector comprises a silicon-based polymer.Silicone Polymers

[0042] The Applicant has found that certain polymers, such as silicon-based polymers (including silicone base polymers), can be formulated in such a way as to produce a composition which self-spreads across the surface of water to form a large-scale liquid surface protector. In the context of the current invention, such a product can also be formulated to advantageously kill mosquito larvae and pupae, because the low surface tension of the film interferes with the ability of juvenile mosquitoes to attach to the surface of the water causing them to drown. This composition has the potential to be employed on unenclosed water storage facilities (e.g., reservoirs or dams), in particular, to prevent evaporation of the water.

[0043] Silicone polymers, also known as polysiloxanes, are inorganic-organic polymers with the chemical formula [R2SiO]n, where R is an organic group such as methyl, ethyl, phenyl, or a combination thereof. These materials consist of an inorganic silicon-oxygen backbone (...-Si-O- Si-O-Si-O-...) with the organic groups attached to the silicon atoms, which are four-coordinate. In some cases, organic side groups can be used to link two or more of these -Si-O- backbonestogether. By varying the -Si-O- chain lengths, side groups, and degree of crosslinking, silicones can be synthesized with a wide variety of properties and compositions.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the silicone polymer is of a type similar to Dow Corning "200 Fluid", otherwise known as pure polydimethylsiloxane.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the silicone polymer has a concentration of 50 to 55, 55 to 60, 60 to 65, 65 to 70, 70 to 75, 75 to 80, 80 to 85, 85 to 90, 90 to 95, or 95 to 99 wt%, or greater than 99 wt%. In some embodiments, the silicone polymer has a concentration of about 80, 81 , 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the silicone polymer has a concentration of at least 75 wt%.

[0046] In some embodiments, the silicone polymer may be linear, cyclic (such as trisiloxanes), branched or crosslinked. Examples of alkyl groups are C1-C12 alkyl, preferably methyl. Examples of aryl groups are phenyl or substituted phenyl groups.

[0047] In some embodiments, the viscosity of the silicone polymer may vary from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, 30 to 35, 35 to 40, 40 to 45, 45 to 50, 50 to 75, 75 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300, 300 to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to 700, 700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 1000 to 1500, 1500 to 2000, 2000 to 2500, 2500 to 3000, 3000 to 3500, 3500 to 4000, 4000 to 4500, 4500 to 5000, 5000 to 6000, 6000 to 7000, 7000 to 8000, 8000 to 9000, 9000 to 10,000, 10,000 to 20,000 centistokes. In some preferred embodiments, the silicone polymer has a viscosity of from 300 to 1000 centistokes at the atmospheric temperature of application which is considered ambient temperature.

[0048] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a single or multiple silicone polymers. In other embodiments, the silicone polymer is chemically modified to enhance adhesion of the film onto a filler material. In other embodiments, the composition further comprises UV additives or other polymer stabilisers.Vegetable Oils

[0049] In some embodiments, the liquid surface protector comprises a vegetable oil. Nonlimiting examples of suitable vegetable oils include coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil (ground nut oil), rapeseed oil, canola oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil and combinations thereof.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid surface protector comprises sunflower oil.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the vegetable oil has a concentration of 50 to 55, 55 to 60, 60 to 65, 65 to 70, 70 to 75, 75 to 80, 80 to 85, 85 to 90, 90 to 95, or 95 to about 100 wt%, or greater than 99 wt%. In some embodiments, the vegetable oil has a concentration of about 80,81 , 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the mineral oil has a concentration of at least 75 wt%.

[0052] In some embodiments, the vegetable oil may be a pure vegetable oil or it may be a blended vegetable oil, and it may be blended with another vegetable oil, a different type of oil, or a non-oil substance to improve the properties of the blended oil, or to reduce cost while maintaining sufficient character to enable film formation.

[0053] In some embodiments, the viscosity of the vegetable oil may vary from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, 30 to 35, 35 to 40, 40 to 45, 45 to 50, 50 to 75, 75 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300, 300 to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to 700, 700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 1000 to 1500, 1500 to 2000, 2000 to 2500, 2500 to 3000, 3000 to 3500, 3500 to 4000, 4000 to 4500, 4500 to 5000, 5000 to 6000, 6000 to 7000, 7000 to 8000, 8000 to 9000, 9000 to 10,000, 10,000 to 20,000 centistokes.

[0054] In some embodiments, the vegetable oil is chemically modified to enhance adhesion of the film onto a filler material. In other embodiments, the composition further comprises UV additives or other polymer stabilisers.Mineral Oils

[0055] In some embodiment, the liquid surface protector comprises one or more mineral oils. Mineral oil is a liquid obtained from refining crude oil to make gasoline and other petroleum products. Mineral oils comprise paraffins (i.e. straight-chain and branched-carbon-chain, saturated hydrocarbons), naphthenes (i.e. cyclic or ring structure saturated hydrocarbons, which may be paraffins) and / or aromatics (i.e. unsaturated, cyclic hydrocarbons containing one or more rings characterized by alternating double bonds).

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the mineral oil has a concentration of 50 to 55, 55 to 60, 60 to 65, 65 to 70, 70 to 75, 75 to 80, 80 to 85, 85 to 90, 90 to 95, or 95 to about 100 wt%, or greater than 99 wt%. In some embodiments, the mineral oil has a concentration of about 80, 81 ,82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the mineral oil has a concentration of at least 75 wt%.

[0057] In some embodiments, the viscosity of the mineral oil may vary from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, 30 to 35, 35 to 40, 40 to 45, 45 to 50, 50 to 75, 75 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300, 300 to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to 700, 700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 1000 to 1500, 1500 to 2000, 2000 to 2500, 2500 to 3000, 3000 to 3500, 3500 to 4000, 4000 to 4500, 4500 to 5000, 5000 to 6000, 6000 to 7000, 7000 to 8000, 8000 to 9000, 9000 to 10,000, 10,000 to 20,000 centistokes.

[0058] In some embodiments, the mineral oil is chemically modified to enhance adhesion of the film onto a filler material. In other embodiments, the composition further comprises UV additives or other polymer stabilisers.Adulticides

[0059] A surprising advantage provided by the current invention is that a reduced concentration of adulticide can be used to effectively kill mosquitoes, because it is concentrated at the water-air interface and within the liquid surface protector film at the water surface, instead of throughout the water column.

[0060] Another advantage of the present invention is that an adulticide containing liquid surface protector may act on both adult mosquitoes and juvenile mosquitoes. The liquid surface protector alone is effective as a larvicide, and in conjunction with an adulticide the invention therefore allows control of mosquito populations by targeting both adult and juvenile mosquitoes in a single process, which is a significant advancement over current methods.

[0061] In some embodiments, the adulticide is selected from clothianidin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, bendiocarb, alpha-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, etofenprox, broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, isocycloseram, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, imidacloprid, prallethrin, flupyradifurone, transfluthrin and malathion, plant extracts such as pyrethrin, citronella, limonene or flavesone, as well as fungal-based products such as beauveria bassiana GHA. In some embodiments, the composition comprises more than one adulticide. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that this is a non-exhaustive list, and any adulticide that is effective against mosquitoes can be included in the composition.

[0062] In some embodiments, the composition comprises adulticides in liquid form. In other embodiments, the adulticide is in the form of a very fine-milled / comminuted powder. This may spread uniformly across the water surface with the silicone film. In further embodiments, the composition may comprise a relatively high viscosity silicone to provide buoyancy to the adulticidein milled-powder form. In some embodiment, the adulticide in fine-milled powder form is soluble in the silicone film. In other embodiments, the adulticide in fine-milled powder form is dispersed throughout the film. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a stabilising agent, such as but not limited to fumed silica. In some embodiments, there is a mixture of particle sizes which dissolve into the silicone liquid surface protector and do so at varying rates, effectively providing a delayed or slow release of the adulticide. In some embodiments, the particles include a coating which selectively dissolves over time, thereby providing a delayed or slow release of the adulticide. Combinations of the above embodiments are contemplated herein.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the concentration of the adulticide in the composition is from 0.1 to 1 , 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 11 , 11 to 12, 12 to 13, 13 to 14, 14 to 15, 15 to 16, 16 to 17, 17 to 18, 18 to 19, 19 to 20, 20 to 25, or 25 to 30 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the adulticide is from 0.2 wt% to 5 wt%.Attractants

[0064] In some embodiment, the composition for controlling mosquito populations comprises a mosquito attractant to attract mosquitoes to the water surface. Mosquito attractants are well known in the art. Attractants can include single volatile compounds such as, but not limited to, linalool oxide, butanone, heptanoic acid, hexanal, octanoic acid, decanal, propionic acid, octanal 3-methyl-1-butanone, hexanoic acid, dimethyldisulfide, 6-methyl-5 hepten-2-one, tetradecanoic acid, nonanal, acetone, ammonia, lactic acid and 1-octen-3-ol (octenol). They can also include odours or odour extracts from plants or animals such as the volatile compounds found in flowers, fruit, leaves or other plant material which may be used as extracted or may be treated to concentrate the odour. They include, but are not limited to, cedrol odour (from cedar oil), bamboo infusions, oak leaf infusions, rice volatiles, mushroom volatiles, hay and grass infusions, milkweed, cheese odour and the odour from the pulp of several fruits including mangoes (either fermented or unfermented). Odour extracts from animals which may be used as attractants are generally derived from the body odours or urine of animals. They include, but are not limited to, odour extracts from chimpanzees, goats, chickens, mice and rabbits.

[0065] The combination of adulticide and attractant used in the silicone film liquid surface protector increases the efficacy against adult mosquitoes, including males which do not typically land on the surface of water as part of their normal lifecycle. In addition, the unique combination of the invention causes the adulticide and attractant to be concentrated at the water surface where the adult mosquitoes come into direct contact with the adulticide, thereby providing benefits interms of minimising the amount of each component required, and also reducing the prospect of pollution of the water body.

[0066] In some embodiments, the composition for controlling mosquito populations comprises a mosquito attractant in combination with an adulticide, thereby increasing the frequency with which the adult mosquito can contact the adulticide, further enhancing the effectiveness of the composition. It has surprisingly been found that a composition comprising a liquid surface protector, an adulticide, and an attractant can provide an effective method for controlling both adult and juvenile mosquito populations. The adulticide and attractant is relatively concentrated in the film that forms at the water surface, increasing the efficacy of the adulticide and allowing lower quantities to be applied to a body of water. Additionally, and advantageously, the adulticide spreads across the whole surface of the water, including those areas which are very difficult for humans to access. Until now, the processes to reduce the adult and juvenile mosquito populations have been regarded as separate processes, however this invention discloses a method to do so simultaneously and in a synergistic way.

[0067] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition for controlling insect populations, the composition comprising: a liquid surface protector, an adulticide and an attractant. In some embodiments, the attractant is selected from the group consisting of linalool oxide, butanone, heptanoic acid, hexanal, octanoic acid, decanal, propionic acid, octanal 3- methyl-1-butanone, hexanoic acid, dimethyldisulfide, 6-methyl-5 hepten-2-one, tetradecanoic acid, nonanal, acetone, ammonia, lactic acid, 1-octen-3-ol (octenol), and combinations thereof. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that attractants are well known in the art and there are many other possible attractants that are appropriate for use in this invention.

[0068] In one embodiment, the attractant is non-toxic and plant based. Examples of such attractants appropriate for use in this application would be well known to the skilled artisan. In certain embodiments, the attractant may be an odour or odour extract derived from a plant or animal such as volatile compounds found in flowers, fruit, leaves or other plant material, which may be used as extracted or may be treated to concentrate the odour, such as cedrol odour (from cedar oil), bamboo infusions, oak leaf infusions, rice volatiles, mushroom volatiles, hay and grass infusions, milkweed, cheese odour and the odour from the pulp of several fruits including mangoes (either fermented or unfermented); or odour extracts from animals which are generally derived from the body odours or urine of animals including chimpanzees, goats, chickens, mice and rabbits.. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this is a non-exhaustive list and any attractant that is effective for mosquitoes can be included in the composition.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the concentration of the attractant in the composition is from 0.1 to 1 , 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 11 , 11 to 12, 12 to 13, 13 to 14, 14 to 15, 15 to 16, 16 to 17, 17 to 18, 18 to 19, 19 to 20, 20 to 25, or 25 to 30 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the attractant is from 1 wt% to 5 wt%.Surfactants

[0070] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a surfactant to enhance the spread of the composition across the water and / or rate at which it spreads. In some embodiments, where the liquid surface protector comprises a plant-based oil and / or a mineral oil, the addition of a surfactant helps the oil to disperse across the surface of the water and prevents the formation of a blob or lens on the surface.

[0071] In other embodiments, where the liquid surface protector comprises a silicone polymer, the surfactant is present initially within a carrier material such as, but not limited to, a mineral or vegetable oil, prior to mixing with the silicone-based polymer. In some preferred embodiments, the mineral or vegetable oil, which may be added with the surfactant as well as separately, has a concentration in the composition in the range of 0 to 90 wt%.

[0072] The surfactant may be present in the composition at a concentration of from 0 to 0.5, 0.5 to 1 , 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 11 , 11 to 12, 12 to 13, 13 to 14, 14 to 15, 15 to 16, 16 to 17, 17 to 18, 18 to 19, 19 to 20, 20 to 25, or 25 to 30 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the surfactant in the composition is 10 wt%.

[0073] Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, anionic, cationic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants, block polymers and polyelectrolytes. Preferred surfactants are non-ionic surfactants.

[0074] Suitable anionic surfactants are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sultanates, sulfates, phosphates or carboxylates. Examples of sultanates are alkylarylsulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates. Examples of sulfates are sulfates of fatty acids and oils, of ethoxylated alkylphenols, of alcohols, of ethoxylated alcohols, or of fatty acid esters. Examples of phosphates are phosphate esters. Examples of carboxylates are alkyl carboxylates and carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol ethoxylates.

[0075] Suitable nonionic surfactants are alkoxylates, N-alkylated fatty acid amides, amine oxides, esters or sugar-based surfactants. Examples of alkoxylates are compounds such as alcohols, alkylphenols, amines (e.g. tallow amine), amides, arylphenols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, or combinations thereof, which have been alkoxylated. Ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide may be employed for the alkoxylation, preferably ethylene oxide. Examples of N-alkylated fatty acid amides are fatty acid glucamides or fatty acid alkanolamides. Examples of esters are fatty acid esters, glycerol esters or monoglycerides. Examples of sugar-based surfactants are sorbitans, ethoxylated sorbitans, sucrose and glucose esters or alkylpolyglucosides. Examples of suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surfactants, for example quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, or salts of long-chain primary amines. Suitable amphoteric surfactants are alkylbetains and imidazolines. Suitable block polymers are block polymers of the A-B or A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide or of the A-B-C type comprising alkanol, polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. Suitable polyelectrolytes are polyacids or polybases. Examples of polyacids are alkali salts of polyacrylic acid. Examples of polybases are polyvinylamines or polyethyleneamines. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that this is a non-exhaustive list of examples of surfactants that may be appropriate for use in the present invention, and any surfactant that is appropriate for use in combination with the other components can be included in the composition.Carrier Material

[0076] In certain embodiments where the liquid surface protector comprises a silicone polymer, the composition may further comprise a carrier material at a concentration of from 0 to 1 , 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, 30 to 35, 35 to 40, 40 to 45, 45 to 50, 50 to 55, 55 to 60, 60 to 65, 65 to 70, 70 to 75, 75 to 80, 80 to 85, 85 to 90 wt%. In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the carrier material in the composition is from 5 to 20 wt%.

[0077] To enhance the mixing of the silicone polymer and surfactant, it is preferable that the surfactant is mixed with a compatible carrier prior to mixing with the silicone polymer. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the carrier material could be selected from a broad range of materials and the embodiments listed herein are a non-exhaustive list of suitable carrier materials. The carrier material is preferably hydrophobic and is preferably selected from the group consisting of a mineral oil, a vegetable oil, or mixtures thereof. As well as acting as a carrier for the surfactant, the oil (mineral or vegetable) may also be separately mixed with the silicone to reduce the cost of the composition. The addition of the oil also enhances the ability of the silicone polymer to spread across the surface of water.

[0078] Within the context of the invention, a vegetable oil is a product of vegetable origin obtained by extracting the oil from seeds or fruits. Vegetable oils are liquid at ambient temperature and includes oils of canola, sunflower, safflower mustard, cotton and peanut, vegetable oils also include palm oil, linseed oil, tung oil and castor oil.

[0079] A mineral oil is a byproduct of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. It is available in light or heavy grades. Various products are described commercially as mineral oil which includes white oil and paraffin oil and the person skilled in the art is familiar with this term of art.

[0080] In some embodiments, the carrier material has a viscosity of from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, 30 to 35, 35 to 40, 40 to 45, 45 to 50, 50 to 75, 75 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300, 300 to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to 700, 700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 1000 to 1500, 1500 to 2000, 2000 to 2500, 2500 to 3000, 3000 to 3500, 3500 to 4000, 4000 to 4500, 4500 to 5000, 5000 to 6000, 6000 to 7000, 7000 to 8000, 8000 to 9000, 9000 to 10,000, 10,000 to 20,000 centistokes. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier material has a viscosity of from 50 to 200 centistokes.Other Additives

[0081] In some embodiments, the liquid surface protector may further comprise an inert particulate material. The film forming composition may be absorbed onto the particulate material to form a stable bulk material for ease of handling and storage. Examples of suitable particulate material include calcium carbonate, talc, fine coal particulates, fly ash, or cenospheres (a lightweight, inert, hollow sphere filled with inert air or gas, which may be derived from fly ash). This list is not exhaustive and other fillers may be added, with their selection based on cost, density, hydrophobicity, inertness to the film forming composition, their ability to coat and adhere to the composition and ability to release the composition on contact with water. The filler material may also possess other desirable functional properties. In one embodiment the liquid surface protector may also act as an insect suppressant and, in particular, a mosquito suppressant. The dual functionality of the liquid surface protector addresses both water conservation and public health needs.

[0082] In some embodiments, the viscosity of the composition may vary from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9, 9 to 10, 10 to 15, 15 to 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, 30 to 35, 35 to 40, 40 to 45, 45 to 50, 50 to 75, 75 to 100, 100 to 150, 150 to 200, 200 to 250, 250 to 300,300 to 350, 350 to 400, 400 to 450, 450 to 500, 500 to 600, 600 to 700, 700 to 800, 800 to 900, 900 to 1000, 1000 to 1500, 1500 to 2000, 2000 to 2500, 2500 to 3000, 3000 to 3500, 3500 to 4000, 4000 to 4500, 4500 to 5000, 5000 to 6000, 6000 to 7000, 7000 to 8000, 8000 to 9000, 9000 to 10,000, 10,000 to 20,000 centistokes. In some preferred embodiments, the composition has a viscosity of from 300 to 5000 centistokes at the atmospheric temperature of application which is considered ambient temperature.Application of the Composition

[0083] The targeted surface area may range from very small bodies of standing water such as puddles or buckets, through to large areas such as swamps and polluted canals. In preferred embodiments, the liquid surface that the composition is applied to is the surface of standing water. The composition may be applied directly from a small container such as a hand-held bottle (for small areas of standing water) through to application by boat, airplane or drone for large areas. In some embodiments, spray units may be used to deliver the composition to discontinuous water surfaces such as in the multiple containers located at refuse collection centers. In another embodiment, the product is supplied in water-soluble capsules which are dropped into small water containers, causing the capsule material to dissolve and release the liquid to spread across the surface. In a further embodiment, the product may be absorbed into a medium such as Plaster of Paris briquettes. When a briquette is dropped into standing water, the liquid is slowly released as the briquette material breaks down. In a further embodiment, the composition may be absorbed into a medium such as diatomaceous earth granules. When the granules are dropped into standing water, the liquid is slowly released as the granule material breaks down. In yet another embodiment, the composition may be applied through use of slow-release dripper units suspended over a water body. The adulticide- and / or attractant-containing liquid surface protector of the invention forms by the spreading of the composition across the water surface to impact on the lifecycle of mosquitoes. Preferably the continuous protective film protects the liquid / gas interface from mosquito infestations.

[0084] Suitable examples of Culicidae ssp. are:Aedes aegypti, Aedes africanus, Aedes albifasciatus, Aedes albopictus, Aedes angustivittatus, Aedes bromeliae, Aedes Canadensis, Aedes cooki, Aedes dorsalis, Aedes fijiensis, Aedes furci- fer, Aedes harinasutai, Aedes infirmatus, Aedes japonicus, Aedes kochi, Aedes luteocephalus, Aedes mcintoshi, Aedes melanimon, Aedes niveus cpx., Aedes normanensis, Aedes oceanicus, Aedes poicilius, Aedes polynesiensis, Aedes samoanus, Aedes scapularis, Aedes scutellaris, Aedes stokesi, Aedes taeniorhynchus, Aedes taylori, Aedes togoi, Aedes triseriatus, Aedestrivittatus, Aedes tutuilae, Aedes upolensis, Aedes vexans, Aedes vigilax, Anopheles aconitus, Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles albitarsis, Anopheles annularis, Anopheles annulipes s.l., Anopheles aquasalis, Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles argyritarsis, Anopheles atroparvus, Anopheles aztecus, Anopheles bancroftii, Anopheles barbirostris, Anopheles bel / ator, Anopheles benarrochi, Anopheles braziliensis, Anopheles calderoni, Anopheles campestris, Anopheles claviger, Anopheles crucians, Anopheles cruzil, Anopheles culici facies s.l., Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles dona / di, Anopheles farauti s.l., Anopheles flavirostris, Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles freeborni, Anapheles funestus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles gambiae complex, Anopheles hancocki, Anopheles jeyporiensis, Anopheles karwari, Anopheles koliensis, Anopheles labranchiae, Anopheles lepidotus, Anopheles lesteri, Anopheles letifer, Anopheles leucosphyrus group (baimaii, balabacensis, dirus, lateens, leucosphyrus, Sulawesi) , Anopheles ludlowea, Anopheles maculates s.l., Anopheles maculipennis, Anopheles marajoara, Anopheles me / as, Anopheles merus, Anopheles messeae, , Anopheles minimus, Anopheles moucheti, Anopheles multicolor, Anopheles neivai, Anopheles nigerrimus, Anopheles nili s.l., Anopheles nuneztovari s.l., Anopheles oswaldoi, Anopheles pattoni, Anopheles pharoensis s.l., Anopheles philippinen- sis, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, Anopheles pu / cherrimus, Anopheles punctimacu / a , A- nopheles punctipennis, Anopheles punctulatus, Anopheles sacharovi, Anopheles sergentii, Anopheles sinensis, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles subpictus s.l., Anopheles sundaicus s.l., Anopheles superpictus, Anopheles tessellatus, Anopheles triannulatus, Anopheles quadrimacu- latus, Anopheles vagus, Anopheles walkeri, Anopheles wellcomei, Anopheles whartoni, Armigeres subalbatus, Coquillettidia crassipes, Coquillettidia fuscopennata, Coquillettidia per- turbans, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cu / ex annulirostris, Cu / ex antennatus, Cu / ex bitaeniorhynchus, Cu / ex erythrothorax, Cu / ex gelidus, Cu / ex pipiens, Cu / ex nigripalpus, Cu / ex ocossa, Cu / ex portesi, Cu / ex quinquefasciatus, Cu / ex restuans, Cu / ex sitiens, Cu / ex spissipes, Cu / ex taeniopus, Cu / ex tarsalis, Cu / ex theileri, Cu / ex tritaeniorhynchus, Cu / ex univittatus, Cu / ex vish- nui complex, Cu / ex vomerifer, Culicoides furens, Culiseta inornata, Culiseta melanura, Culiseta morsitans, Haemagogus leucocelaenus, Haemagogus janthinomys, Haemagogus spegazzinii, Mansonia annu / ata, Mansonia bonneae, Mansonia dives, Mansonia Indiana, Mansonia titillans, Mansonia uniformis, Psorophora columbiae, Psorophora discolor, Psorophora ferox, Sabethes chloropterus, Trichoprosopon digitatum

[0085] The mosquitoes may be present at any growth stage, such as eggs, egg rafts, larval instars, pupae, or adults.Other Aspects

[0086] The composition may be a liquid or solid. Preferably, the composition is a liquid composition, such as a solution, emulsion, suspension or suspoemulsion. Preferably the liquid is a solution or emulsion, in particular, a solution.

[0087] The composition may contain water, for example, up to 10 wt% water, preferably up to 5 wt%, and in particular, up to 1 wt%. The composition may also be free of water.

[0088] The composition may contain a synthetic organic solvent. Synthetic organic solvents may be synthetized by human-controlled chemical synthesis. Mineral or vegetable oils are usually not considered synthetic organic solvents. Preferred organic solvents are water-immiscible organic solvents, such as organic solvents which have a solubility in water at 20 °C of up 10 wt%, preferably up to 4 wt%, more preferably up to 2 wt%, even more preferably up to 1 ,0 wt%, and in particular up, to 0.5 wt%.

[0089] Liquid compositions are preferably applied at a concentration of about 0.3 to 50 grams per square meter, more preferably about 0.3 to 30 grams per square meter, and even more preferably 0.3 to 10 grams per square meter, and most preferably about 0.3 to 1.0 grams per square meter.

[0090] The low application rate and high stability of the silicone-based polymer composition enables a protective surface film to be applied in a cost-effective manner. Further, as the composition is substantially inorganic, the price of the composition will remain relatively stable in comparison to petroleum-based films.

[0091] It will be appreciated that the composition for controlling mosquito populations may be applied to a range of liquid surfaces to inhibit or control mass and heat transfer from liquid / gas interface or form a physical and / or chemical barrier against the gaseous environment. For example, the silicone-based polymer composition may be applied to an oxidizable liquid to prevent or reduce oxidation.

[0092] It will be appreciated that the thickness of the surface film is proportional to the concentration applied and the exposed surface of the body of water.

[0093] The skilled person will appreciate that the present invention may provide one or more significant advantages and improvements in the field and / or in view of the prior art. For example, these advantages include: a) it is easy to apply (in liquid form);b) it floats naturally without the need for added buoyancy (the specific gravity is less than 1.0); c) it self-spreads on the surface of water; d) it has a relatively high mechanical strength and even if the film is broken, it readily reforms, thereby maintaining the integrity and functionality of the film; e) it is resistant to high temperatures, oxidation and ultraviolet breakdown; f) it is transparent and has a high oxygen permeability and therefore has minimal impact upon sub-surface aquatic life; and g) it remains effective for at least several weeks.EXAMPLES

[0094] The present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples, which should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive.EXAMPLE 1. Exemplary compositions for controlling mosquito populations

[0095] Compositions for controlling mosquito populations according to the invention may be prepared as follows: a) Compositions with a mineral oil-based liquid surface protector

[0096] Liquid surface protector compositions were first prepared by mixing 96 wt% paraffin light liquid mineral oil (British Pharmacopoeia) with surfactant (4 wt %). The surfactant was a blend of non-ionic surfactants and polymers.

[0097] To this composition was added attractant (~1 to 5 wt%) and / or adulticide (~ 0.2 to 1 wt%). b) Compositions with a vegetable oil-based liquid surface protector

[0098] Liquid surface protector compositions were first prepared by mixing sunflower oil (96 wt%) with surfactant (4 wt %). The surfactant was a blend of non-ionic surfactants and polymers.

[0099] To this composition was added attractant (~1 to 5 wt%) and / or adulticide (~ 0.2 to 1 wt%). c) Compositions with a silicone polymer-based liquid surface protector[000100] Liquid surface protector compositions were prepared by first mixing paraffin light liquid mineral oil (British Pharmacopoeia) as a carrier material (5-20 wt%) with a surfactant (2-10 wt%). This mixture was then blended with silicone oil (70-93 wt%) providing a stable composition. The surfactant was a blend of non-ionic surfactants comprising a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, modified silicone, and polymers.[000101] To this composition was added attractant (~1 to 5 wt%) and / or adulticide (~ 0.2 to 1 wt%).EXAMPLE 2. Efficacy of the compositions according to the invention[000102] Several compositions were prepared with mineral oil, vegetable oil, or Aquatain AMF as a silicon polymer-based liquid surface protector; in combination with an adulticide and / or an attractant. A control composition was prepared comprising the liquid surface protector alone. The attractant used was in the form of cedrol or fermented mango pulp at concentrations of 5% or 1% (with no adulticide). The adulticide was either bendiocarb or peppermint oil at concentrations of 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. The resultant compositions were poured onto a body of water and they self-spread across the surface to form a film.[000103] Efficacy of the compositions was assessed by placing two water containers in a mosquito cage and introducing 100 adult female aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The number of dead mosquitoes was measured after one hour. The process was repeated with 100 male aedes aegypti mosquitoes. In the control group, the water was untreated, and in the second group the water was treated with Aquatain AMF alone (Table 1), Aquatain AMF and an attractant (Tables 2-4), Aquatain AMF and an adulticide (Tables 5-6), Aquatain AMF and both an adulticide and an attractant (Table 7), mineral oil and a surfactant and an adulticide (Table 8), mineral oil and a surfactant and an attractant (Table 9), and vegetable oil and a surfactant and an attractant (Table 10). Where the compositions comprise a surfactant, a blend of non-ionic surfactants comprising a fatty acid glycol ether, modified silicone, and polymers were used. The compositions were applied at an application rate of 1 ml / m2when comprising a silicone-based liquid surface protector, or 5 ml / m2when comprising a mineral oil- or vegetable oil-based liquid surface protector[000104] The results are shown in the tables below.Table 1 : Aquatain AMF OnlyTable 2: Aquatain AMF + Attractant (5% Cedrol)Table 3: Aquatain AMF + Attractant (5% Fermented Mango Pulp)Table 4: Aquatain AMF + Attractant (1% Fermented Mango Pulp)Table 5: Aquatain AMF + Adulticide (0.2% Bendiocarb)Table 6: Aquatain AMF + Adulticide (0.5% peppermint oil)Table 7: Aquatain AMF + Adulticide (0.5% peppermint oil) + Attractant (1% fermented mango pulp)Table 8: Mineral oil (paraffin light liquid) + Surfactant (4%) + Attractant (1% fermented mango pulp)Table 9: Mineral oil (paraffin light liquid) + Surfactant (4%) + Adulticide (0.5% peppermint oil) + Attractant (1% fermented mango pulp)Table 10: Vegetable oil (sunflower) + Surfactant (4%) + Attractant (1% fermented mango pulp)[000105] As is evident from the Tables above, the addition of an adulticide and / or an attractant to a liquid surface protector comprising a silicone polymer, a mineral oil or a vegetable oil resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate for both female and male mosquitoes compared to the use of a silicone-based polymer alone. Advantageously, the combination of an attractant and an adulticide enhanced efficacy of the composition to an even greater extent.EXAMPLE 3. Efficacy of compositions comprising an attractant[000106] Several compositions were prepared comprising the liquid surface protector Aquatain AMF in combination with various attractants and concentrations. The attractants were fermented date syrup, fermented guava, fermented mango and golden syrup (liquid sugar).[000107] Binary choice experiments were carried out in mosquito cages to test whether water treated with AMF and attractants diverts gravid Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes from laying their eggs in untreated controls (water only). In each case, one container was treated with the AMF variation at a rate of 1 mL per square metre of water surface, and an untreated container of water was placed beside it. Approximately 60 gravid females were placed in each cage. The resulting data are presented below.Table 11 : Impact of Aquatain AMF + Various Attractants on Gravid Females[000108] Each of the variations was effective in attracting gravid females, which subsequently drowned in the treated water due to the low surface tension. The variation containing fermented mango was the most effective, with 72% of the mosquitoes drowning.EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION[000109] Other embodiments of the invention as described herein are defined in the following paragraphs:1. A composition for controlling mosquito populations, the composition comprising a liquid surface protector combined with an adulticide and / or an attractant.2. The composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises: silicone polymer in a concentration of from 5 to 95 wt%; carrier material in a concentration of from 0 to 90 wt%; and surfactant in a concentration of from 0 to 20 wt%.3. The composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the carrier material is a mineral oil or a vegetable oil.4. The composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises the carrier material in a concentration of from 5 to 75 wt%.5. The composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the silicone polymer is a polyorganosiloxane.e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the silicone polymer is a polymer of dimethylsiloxane. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the surfactant and the carrier material are mixed prior to forming the composition for controlling mosquito populations with a silicone polymer. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises: vegetable oil or mineral oil in a concentration of from 5 to 95%; and surfactant in a concentration of from 0 to 20 wt%. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition comprises an adulticide selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, bendiocarb, alpha-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, etofenprox, broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, isocycloseram, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, imidacloprid, prallethrin, flupyradifurone, transfluthrin, malathion, pyrethrin, citronella, limonene, flavesone, beauveria bassiana GHA, and combinations thereof. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition comprises an adulticide in a concentration of from 0.1 to 5 wt%. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition comprises an attractant selected from the group consisting of linalool oxide, butanone, heptanoic acid, hexanal, octanoic acid, decanal, propionic acid, octanal 3-methyl-1- butanone, hexanoic acid, dimethyldisulfide, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, tetradecanoic acid, nonanal, acetone, ammonia, lactic acid, 1-octen-3-ol, cedrol, bamboo infusions, oak leaf infusions, rice volatiles, mushroom volatiles, hay infusions, grass infusions, milkweed, cheese odour extract, mango, chimpanzee odour extract, goat odour extract, chicken odour extract, mouse odour extract, rabbit odour extract, and combinations thereof. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition comprises an attractant in a concentration of from about 1 to about 5 wt%. e composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises a surfactant in a concentration of from 0.5 to 10 wt%.14. The composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the composition is a liquid at ambient temperature.15. The composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, having a viscosity of between 300 to 5000 centistokes at ambient temperature.16. A method for reducing the population of mosquitoes comprising the steps of: applying the composition according to any one of the preceding paragraphs to a liquid surface at a rate of 0.3 to 50 gm / m2, wherein the composition forms a substantially continuous protective film across the surface of the liquid.17. The method according to paragraph 16, wherein the continuous protective film protects the liquid / gas interface from mosquito infestations.18. The method according to paragraph 16 or 17, wherein the liquid surface is the surface of standing water.[000110] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms, and in particular features of any one of the various described examples may be provided in any combination in any of the other described examples. Various modifications and alterations to this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It should be understood that this invention is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments and examples set forth herein and that such examples and embodiments are presented by way of example only with the scope of the invention intended to be limited only by the claims set forth herein as follows.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition for controlling mosquito populations, the composition comprising a liquid surface protector combined with an adulticide and / or an attractant.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises: silicone polymer in a concentration of from 5 to 95 wt%; carrier material in a concentration of from 0 to 90 wt%; and surfactant in a concentration of from 0 to 20 wt%.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the carrier material is a mineral oil or a vegetable oil.

4. The composition according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises the carrier material in a concentration of from 5 to 75 wt%.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the silicone polymer is a polyorganosiloxane.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the silicone polymer is a polymer of dimethylsiloxane.

7. The composition according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the surfactant and the carrier material are mixed prior to forming the composition for controlling mosquito populations with a silicone polymer.

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises: vegetable oil or mineral oil in a concentration of from 5 to 99 wt%; and surfactant in a concentration of from 0 to 20 wt%.

9. The composition according to any one claims 1 to 8, wherein the composition comprises an adulticide selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, bendiocarb, alpha-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, etofenprox, broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, isocycloseram, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, imidacloprid, prallethrin, flupyradifurone, transfluthrin, malathion, pyrethrin, citronella, limonene, flavesone, beauveria bassiana GHA, and combinations thereof.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the composition comprises an adulticide in a concentration of from 0.1 to 5 wt%.

11. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the composition comprises an attractant selected from the group consisting of linalool oxide, butanone, heptanoic acid, hexanal, octanoic acid, decanal, propionic acid, octanal 3-methyl-1- butanone, hexanoic acid, dimethyldisulfide, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, tetradecanoic acid, nonanal, acetone, ammonia, lactic acid, 1-octen-3-ol, cedrol, bamboo infusions, oak leaf infusions, rice volatiles, mushroom volatiles, hay infusions, grass infusions, milkweed, cheese odour extract, mango, chimpanzee odour extract, goat odour extract, chicken odour extract, mouse odour extract, rabbit odour extract, and combinations thereof.

12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the composition comprises an attractant in a concentration of from about 1 to about 5 wt%.

13. The composition according to any one of the claims 2 to 12, wherein the liquid surface protector comprises a surfactant in a concentration of from 0.5 to 10 wt%.

14. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the composition is a liquid at ambient temperature.

15. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, having a viscosity of between 300 to 5000 centistokes at ambient temperature.

16. A method for reducing the population of mosquitoes comprising the steps of: applying the composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to a liquid surface at a rate of 0.3 to 50 gm / m2, wherein the composition forms a substantially continuous protective film across the surface of the liquid.

17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the continuous protective film protects the liquid / gas interface from mosquito infestations.

18. The method according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the liquid surface is the surface of standing water.

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