EP4387452A1 - Method of controlling pests on tea plants - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling an insect pest on a tea plant, which method comprises a spray application to the leaf canopy of the tea plant with a pesticidal composition comprising spiropidion, spirotetramat, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen or spidoxamat as insecticidal active ingredient.

Description

METHOD OF CONTROLLING PESTS ON TEA PLANTS

The present invention generally relates to the use of certain compounds as a pesticidal active ingredient (Al) in methods of application to tea plants of the genus Camellia, and in particular Camellia sinensis. Tea is an important agricultural crop globally, in particular, in many parts of Eastern and Southern Asia, with many different varieties grown which may be vulnerable to attack by insect pests, often at great commercial cost. Compounds used in accordance with the present invention belong in the IRAC MoA Classification 23 relating to inhibitors of acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, eg, spiropidion, spirotetramat, spiromesifen and spirodiclofen.

Spiropidion (CAS no.: 1229023-00-0), which is known to be effective for the control of insect pests, including the so-called sucking insect pests (such as aphids, white flies, scales and mites) is described inter alia in WO 2010/066780, WO 2018/114648 and WO 2018/114649. Pesticidal formulations comprising spiropidion are described in WO 2020/208098. Spirotetramat (CAS no.: 203313-25-1) is described inter alia in WO 98/05638 and WO 2004/007448. Spiromesifen (CAS no.: 283594-90-1) and spirodiclofen (CAS no.: 148477-71-8) are described inter alia in EP 0 528 156. Other active ingredient compounds include spidoxamat (CAS no.: 907187-07-9), which is disclosed inter alia in WO 2006/089633.

Achieving full plant coverage of the spray application of a pesticidal composition to tea plants is often hindered by the thick canopy of leaves of the plant. The canopy acts as a physical barrier limiting the effective application to the stem (trunk) or branches, which indeed may be the main habitat of an insect pest, such as a scale.

In practice, this problem may at least be partially overcome by washing the active ingredient spray composition through the canopy and into the harder to access parts of the plant below the canopy. The downside of this being that generally large volumes (water dilution) of the pesticidal composition are required for full coverage of the plant crop. These volumes can be as much as 10,000 litre per hectare (L/ha) or more and so result in an undesirable high water usage requirement. As well, for the spray application to be effective, greater physical effort is required from the spray applicator (eg, tea plantation worker) to reach the hard-to-access parts of the plant below the leaf canopy with the spraying apparatus.

It has now surprisingly been found that highly effective control of certain pests (such as scale insects) may be achieved by applying a pesticidal composition just to the canopy (foliar part) of a tea plant and not specifically to the trunk, branches or stem of the plant. This approach (i) enables much lower water usage for performing an effective pesticidal spray treatment of in a tea plantation, and (ii) avoids the need for pesticidal spray application below the leaf canopy for an effective control treatment and so a less labour-intensive approach.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an insect pest on a tea plant, which method comprises a spray application to the leaf canopy of the tea plant with a pesticidal composition comprising an insecticidal active ingredient selected from spiropidion, spirotetramat, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen or spidoxamat.

In the method of the invention, the spray application preferably (substantially) avoids the application of the pesticidal composition to the non-foliar parts (trunk, branches, stem, roots) of the tea plant.

The method of the invention may be for curative or preventative control of insects pests.

Preferably, the active ingredient is spiropidion or spirotetramat. Most preferably, the active ingredient is spiropidion.

Typically, the active ingredient, such as spiropidion, is applied as a liquid composition further comprising one or more agrochemically-acceptable diluents or carriers. Preferably, the liquid composition is a dilution of a concentrated active ingredient composition (such as a suspension concentrate (SC) formulation, eg SC100 or SC300) in water. The liquid composition may comprise an adjuvant (built-in or tank mixed), preferably an adjuvant selected from a mineral oil, a vegetable oil or a trans-esterified vegetable oil.

Examples of adjuvant classes, which may be used in accordance with the present invention include a mineral oil, a vegetable oil, an esterified vegetable oil, a methylated vegetable oil or an alkyl ester phosphate-based adjuvant. Commercially-available adjuvant products which may be tank-mixed to yield a spray fomulation with the composition of the present invention include HASTEN™ (Victorian Chemical Co. Pty. Ltd. - blend of an esterified vegetable oil and non-ionic surfactants), OCHIMA® (Syngenta - alkyl ester of phosphoric acid (EC formulation)), LEDNA™ (Polaquimia - EC formulation comprising a methyl ester of soybean oil), Atplus® 463 (CRODA Europe Limited - 60% parafin oil with surfactant blend), Actirob® B (Bayer AG - rapeseed oil methyl ester (esterified vegetable oil)), Destiny® HC (Winfield Solutions LLC - methylated soybean oil), DYNE-AMIC® (HELENA - blend of (methylated) vegetable oil and organosilicone-based nonionic surfactants), and FS Optique™ (GROWMARK, Inc - methyl ester of canola oil).

Preferably, the tea plant is Camellia sinensis.

Preferably, the pest is a scale insect. In particular, white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) or Indian wax scale (Ceroplastes ceriferus). Most preferably, the pest is white peach scale.

Preferably, the spray application volume per hectare of the pesticidal composition is in the range of 100 to 5000 litres per hectare (L/ha), more preferably in the range of 200 to 4000 litres per hectare (L/ha), and still more preferably in the range of 500 to 1500 litres per hectare (L/ha).

Preferably, the application rate of the active ingredient, such as spiropidion, in accordance with the invention may be at a rate of 500 to 2000 grams per hectare, and preferably a rate of 1000 to 1500 grams per hectare. Preferably, the application is as a single treatment prior to the onset of an infestation of an insect pest, eg, at 7 to 28 days before infestation (DBI) or more preferably, at at 14 to 21 days before infestation.

By controlling an insect pest in accordance with the invention, it is meant inter alia the killing of such insect pests, retarding the growth or reproduction of insects, reducing an insect population, and/or reducing damage to plants caused by insects.

Preferably, the active ingredient, such as spriopidion, is applied according to the invention in a pesticidal composition as the sole pesticidal active ingredient. However, it may also be applied in combination with one or more additional pesticidal (insecticidal, acaricidal or nematicidal) active ingredients either in the same composition or separate compositions. This may include pesticidal active ingredient compositions comprising spiropidion (represented by “(I)”) and another active ingredient as follows:

Compositions comprising an adjuvant include (I) + compounds selected from the group of substances consisting of petroleum oils.

Compositions comprising an acaricide include (I) + 1 ,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2-ethoxyethanol, (I) + 2,4-dichlorophenyl benzenesulfonate, (I) + 2-fluoro-N-methyl-N-1 -naphthylacetamide, (I) + 4- chlorophenyl phenyl sulfone, (I) + abamectin, (I) + acequinocyl, (I) + acetoprole, (I) + acrinathrin, (I) + aldicarb, (I) + aldoxycarb, (I) + alpha-cypermethrin, (I) + amidithion, (I) + amidoflumet, (I) + amidothioate, (I) + amiton, (I) + amiton hydrogen oxalate, (I) + amitraz, (I) + aramite, (I) + arsenous oxide, (I) + AVI 382, (I) + AZ 60541 , (I) + azinphos-ethyl, (I) + azinphos-methyl, (I) + azobenzene, (I) + azocyclotin, (I) + azothoate, (I) + benomyl, (I) + benoxafos, (I) + benzoximate, (I) + benzyl benzoate, (I) + bifenazate, (I) + bifenthrin, (I) + binapacryl, (I) + brofenvalerate, (I) + bromocyclen, (I) + bromophos, (I) + bromophos- ethyl, (I) + bromopropylate, (I) + buprofezin, (I) + butocarboxim, (I) + butoxycarboxim, (I) + butylpyridaben, (I) + calcium polysulfide, (I) + camphechlor, (I) + carbanolate, (I) + carbaryl, (I) + carbofuran, (I) + carbophenothion, (I) + CGA 50’439, (I) + chinomethionat, (I) + chlorbenside, (I) + chlordimeform, (I) + chlordimeform hydrochloride, (I) + chlorfenapyr, (I) + chlorfenethol, (I) + chlorfenson, (I) + chlorfensulfide, (I) + chlorfenvinphos, (I) + chlorobenzilate, (I) + chloromebuform, (I) + chloromethiuron, (I) + chloropropylate, (I) + chlorpyrifos, (I) + chlorpyrifos-methyl, (I) + chlorthiophos, (I) + cinerin I, (I) + cinerin II, (I) + cinerins, (I) + clofentezine, (I) + closantel, (I) + coumaphos, (I) + crotamiton, (I) + crotoxyphos, (I) + cufraneb, (I) + cyanthoate, (I) + cyflumetofen, (I) + cyhalothrin, (I) + cyhexatin, (I) + cypermethrin, (I) + DCPM, (I) + DDT, (I) + demephion, (I) + demephion-O, (I) + demephion-S, (I) + demeton, (I) + demeton-methyl, (I) + demeton-O, (I) + demeton-O-methyl, (I) + demeton-S, (I) + demeton-S-methyl, (I) + demeton-S-methylsulfon, (I) + diafenthiuron, (I) + dialifos, (I) + diazinon, (I) + dichlofluanid, (I) + dichlorvos, (I) + dicliphos, (I) + dicofol, (I) + dicrotophos, (I) + dienochlor, (I) + dimefox, (I) + dimethoate, (I) + dinactin , (I) + dinex, (I) + dinex-diclexine, (I) + dinobuton, (I) + dinocap, (I) + dinocap-4, (I) + dinocap-6, (I) + dinocton, (I) + dinopenton, (I) + dinosulfon, (I) + dinoterbon, (I) + dioxathion, (I) + diphenyl sulfone, (I) + disulfiram, (I) + disulfoton, (I) + DNOC, (I) + dofenapyn, (I) + doramectin, (I) + endosulfan, (I) + endothion, (I) + EPN, (I) + eprinomectin, (I) + ethion, (I) + ethoate-methyl, (I) + etoxazole, (I) + etrimfos, (I) + fenazaflor, (I) + fenazaquin, (I) + fenbutatin oxide, (I) + fenothiocarb, (I) + fenpropathrin, (I) + fenpyrad, (I) + fenpyroximate, (I) + fenson, (I) + fentrifanil, (I) + fenvalerate, (I) + fipronil, (I) + fluacrypyrim, (I) + fluazuron, (I) + flubenzimine, (I) + flucycloxuron, (I) + flucythrinate, (I) + fluenetil, (I) + flufenoxuron, (I) + flumethrin, (I) + fluorbenside, (I) + flupentiofenox, (I) + fluvalinate, (I) + FMC 1137, (I) + formetanate, (I) + formetanate hydrochloride, (I) + formothion, (I) + formparanate, (I) + gamma-HCH, (I) + glyodin, (I) + halfenprox, (I) + heptenophos, (I) + hexadecyl cyclopropanecarboxylate, (I) + hexythiazox, (I) + iodomethane, (I) + isocarbophos, (I) + isopropyl O- (methoxyaminothiophosphoryl)salicylate, (I) + ivermectin, (I) + jasmolin I, (I) + jasmolin II, (I) + jodfenphos, (I) + lindane, (I) + lufenuron, (I) + malathion, (I) + malonoben, (I) + mecarbam, (I) + mephosfolan, (I) + mesulfen, (I) + methacrifos, (I) + methamidophos, (I) + methidathion, (I) + methiocarb, (I) + methomyl, (I) + methyl bromide, (I) + metolcarb, (I) + mevinphos, (I) + mexacarbate, (I) + milbemectin, (I) + milbemycin oxime, (I) + mipafox, (I) + monocrotophos, (I) + morphothion, (I) + moxidectin, (I) + naled, (I) + NC-184, (I) + NC-512, (I) + nifluridide, (I) + nikkomycins, (I) + nitrilacarb, (I) + nitrilacarb 1 :1 zinc chloride complex, (I) + NNI-0101 , (I) + NNI-0250, (I) + omethoate, (I) + oxamyl, (I) + oxydeprofos, (I) + oxydisulfoton, (I) + pp'-DDT, (I) + parathion, (I) + permethrin, (I) + petroleum oils, (I) + phenkapton, (I) + phenthoate, (I) + phorate, (I) + phosalone, (I) + phosfolan, (I) + phosmet, (I) + Phosphamidon, (I) + phoxim, (I) + pirimiphos-methyl, (I) + polychloroterpenes, (I) + polynactins, (I) + proclonol, (I) + profenofos, (I) + promacyl, (I) + propargite, (I) + propetamphos, (I) + propoxur, (I) + prothidathion, (I) + prothoate, (I) + pyrethrin I, (I) + pyrethrin II, (I) + pyrethrins, (I) + pyridaben, (I) + pyridaphenthion, (I) + pyrimidifen, (I) + pyrimitate, (I) + quinalphos, (I) + quintiofos, (I) + R-1492, (I) + RA-17, (I) + rotenone, (I) + schradan, (I) + sebufos, (I) + selamectin, (I) + SI-0009, (I) + sophamide, (I) + spirodiclofen, (I) + spiromesifen, (I) + SSI-121 , (I) + sulfiram, (I) + sulfluramid, (I) + sulfotep, (I) + sulfur, (I) + SZI-121 , (I) + tau-fluvalinate, (I) + tebufenpyrad, (I) + TEPP, (I) + terbam, (I) + tetrachlorvinphos, (I) + tetradifon, (I) + tetranactin, (I) + tetrasul, (I) + thiafenox, (I) + thiocarboxime, (I) + thiofanox, (I) + thiometon, (I) + thioquinox, (I) + thuringiensin, (I) + triamiphos, (I) + triarathene, (I) + triazophos, (I) + triazuron, (I) + trichlorfon, (I) + trifenofos, (I) + trinactin, (I) + vamidothion, (I) + vaniliprole and (I) + Yl- 5302.

Compositions comprising an anthelmintic include (I) + abamectin, (I) + crufomate, (I) + doramectin, (I) + emamectin, (I) + emamectin benzoate, (I) + eprinomectin, (I) + ivermectin, (I) + milbemycin oxime, (I) + moxidectin, (I) + piperazine, (I) + selamectin, (I) + spinosad and (I) + thiophanate.

Compositions comprising an avicide include (I) + chloralose, (I) + endrin, (I) + fenthion, (I) + pyridin-4-amine and (I) + strychnine.

Compositions comprising a biological control agent include (I) + Adoxophyes orana GV, (I) + Agrobacterium radiobacter, (I) + Amblyseius spp., (I) + Anagrapha falcifera NPV, (I) + Anagrus atomus, (I) + Aphelinus abdominalis, (I) + Aphidius colemani, (I) + Aphidoletes aphidimyza, (I) + Autographa californica NPV, (I) + Bacillus firmus, (I) + Bacillus sphaericus Neide, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. japonensis, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis, (I) + Beauveria bassiana, (I) + Beauveria brongniartii, (I) + Chrysoperla carnea, (I) + Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, (I) + Cydia pomonella GV, (I) + Dacnusa sibirica, (I) + Diglyphus isaea, (I) + Encarsia formosa, (I) + Eretmocerus eremicus, (I) + Helicoverpa zea NPV, (I) + Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and H. megidis, (I) + Hippodamia convergens, (I) + Leptomastix dactylopii, (I) + Macrolophus caliginosus, (I) + Mamestra brassicae NPV, (I) + Metaphycus helvolus, (I) + Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum, (I) + Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae, (I) + Neodiprion sertifer NPV and N. lecontei NPV, (I) + Orius spp., (I) + Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, (I) + Phytoseiulus persimilis, (I) + Spodoptera exigua multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus, (I) + Steinernema bibionis, (I) + Steinernema carpocapsae, (I) + Steinernema feltiae, (I) + Steinernema glaseri, (I) + Steinernema riobrave, (I) + Steinernema riobravis, (I) + Steinernema scapterisci, (I) + Steinernema spp., (I) + Trichogramma spp., (I) + Typhlodromus occidentalis and (I) + Verticillium lecanii.

Compositions comprising a soil sterilant include (I) + iodomethane and methyl bromide.

Compositions comprising a chemosterilant include (I) + apholate, (I) + bisazir, (I) + busulfan, (I) + diflubenzuron, (I) + dimatif, (I) + hemel, (I) + hempa, (I) + metepa, (I) + methiotepa, (I) + methyl apholate, (I) + morzid, (I) + penfluron, (I) + tepa, (I) + thiohempa, (I) + thiotepa, (I) + tretamine and (I) + uredepa.

Compositions comprising an insect pheromone include (I) + (E)-dec-5-en-1-yl acetate with (E)- dec-5-en-1-ol, (I) + (E)-tridec-4-en-1-yl acetate, (I) + (E)-6-methylhept-2-en-4-ol, (I) + (E.Z)-tetradeca- 4, 10-dien-1 -yl acetate, (I) + (Z)-dodec-7-en-1-yl acetate, (I) + (Z)-hexadec-l 1-enal, (I) + (Z)-hexadec- 11-en-1-yl acetate, (I) + (Z)-hexadec-13-en-11-yn-1-yl acetate, (I) + (Z)-icos-13-en-10-one, (I) + (Z)- tetradec-7-en-1 -al, (I) + (Z)-tetradec-9-en-1 -ol, (I) + (Z)-tetradec-9-en-1 -yl acetate, (I) + (7E,9Z)-dodeca- 7,9-dien-1 -yl acetate, (I) + (9Z,11 E)-tetradeca-9,11-dien-1-yl acetate, (I) + (9Z,12E)-tetradeca-9,12- dien-1 -yl acetate, (I) + 14-methyloctadec-1-ene, (I) + 4-methylnonan-5-ol with 4-methylnonan-5-one, (I) + alpha-multistriatin, (I) + brevicomin, (I) + codlelure, (I) + codlemone, (I) + cuelure, (I) + disparlure, (I) + dodec-8-en-1-yl acetate, (I) + dodec-9-en-1-yl acetate, (I) + dodeca-8, (I) + 10-dien-1 -yl acetate, (I) + dominicalure, (I) + ethyl 4-methyloctanoate, (I) + eugenol, (I) + frontalin, (I) + gossyplure, (I) + grandlure, (I) + grandlure I, (I) + grandlure II, (I) + grandlure III, (I) + grandlure IV, (I) + hexalure, (I) + ipsdienol, (I) + ipsenol, (I) + japonilure, (I) + lineatin, (I) + litlure, (I) + looplure, (I) + medlure, (I) + megatomoic acid, (I) + methyl eugenol, (I) + muscalure, (I) + octadeca-2,13-dien-1-yl acetate, (I) + octadeca-3,13-dien-1 - yl acetate, (I) + orfralure, (I) + oryctalure, (I) + ostramone, (I) + siglure, (I) + sordidin, (I) + sulcatol, (I) + tetradec-11 -en-1-yl acetate, (I) + trimedlure, (I) + trimedlure A, (I) + trimedlure B1 , (I) + trimedlure B2, (I) + trimedlure C and (I) + trunc-call.

Compositions comprising an insect repellent include (I) + 2-(octylthio)ethanol, (I) + butopyronoxyl, (I) + butoxy(polypropylene glycol), (I) + dibutyl adipate, (I) + dibutyl phthalate, (I) + dibutyl succinate, (I) + diethyltoluamide, (I) + dimethyl carbate, (I) + dimethyl phthalate, (I) + ethyl hexanediol, (I) + hexamide, (I) + methoquin-butyl, (I) + methylneodecanamide, (I) + oxamate and (I) + picaridin.

Compositions comprising an insecticide include (I) + 1-dichloro-1 -nitroethane, (I) + 1 , 1 -dichloro- 2,2-bis(4-ethylphenyl)ethane , (I) +, (I) + 1 ,2-dichloropropane, (I) + 1 ,2-dichloropropane with 1 ,3- dichloropropene, (I) + 1 -bromo-2-chloroethane, (I) + 2,2,2-trichloro-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl acetate, (I) + 2,2-dichlorovinyl 2-ethylsulfinylethyl methyl phosphate, (I) + 2-(1 ,3-dithiolan-2-yl)phenyl dimethylcarbamate, (I) + 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl thiocyanate, (I) + 2-(4,5-dimethyl-1 ,3-dioxolan-2- yl)phenyl methylcarbamate, (I) + 2-(4-chloro-3,5-xylyloxy)ethanol, (I) + 2-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate, (I) + 2-imidazolidone, (I) + 2-isovalerylindan-1 ,3-dione, (I) + 2-methyl(prop-2-ynyl)aminophenyl methylcarbamate, (I) + 2-thiocyanatoethyl laurate, (I) + 3-bromo-1 -chloroprop-1 -ene, (I) + 3-methyl-1- phenylpyrazol-5-yl dimethylcarbamate, (I) + 4-methyl(prop-2-ynyl)amino-3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate, (I) + 5,5-dimethyl-3-oxocyclohex-1-enyl dimethylcarbamate, (I) + abamectin, (I) + acephate, (I) + acetamiprid, (I) + acethion, (I) + acetoprole, (I) + acrinathrin, (I) + acrylonitrile, (I) + alanycarb, (I) + aldicarb, (I) + aldoxycarb, (I) + aldrin, (I) + allethrin, (I) + allosamidin, (I) + allyxycarb, (I) + alpha- cypermethrin, (I) + alpha-ecdysone, (I) + aluminium phosphide, (I) + amidithion, (I) + amidothioate, (I) + aminocarb, (I) + amiton, (I) + amiton hydrogen oxalate, (I) + amitraz, (I) + anabasine, (I) + athidathion, (I) + AVI 382, (I) + AZ 60541 , (I) + azadirachtin, (I) + azamethiphos, (I) + azinphos-ethyl, (I) + azinphos- methyl, (I) + azothoate, (I) + Bacillus thuringiensis delta endotoxins, (I) + barium hexafluorosilicate, (I) + barium polysulfide, (I) + barthrin, (I) + Bayer 22/190, (I) + Bayer 22408, (I) + bendiocarb, (I) + benfuracarb, (I) + bensultap, (I) + beta-cyfluthrin, (I) + beta-cypermethrin, (I) + bifenthrin, (I) + bioallethrin, (I) + bioallethrin S-cyclopentenyl isomer, (I) + bioethanomethrin, (I) + biopermethrin, (I) + bioresmethrin, (I) + bis(2-chloroethyl) ether, (I) + bistrifluron, (I) + borax, (I) + brofenvalerate, (I) + bromfenvinfos, (I) + bromocyclen, (I) + bromo-DDT, (I) + bromophos, (I) + bromophos-ethyl, (I) + bufencarb, (I) + buprofezin, (I) + butacarb, (I) + butathiofos, (I) + butocarboxim, (I) + butonate, (I) + butoxycarboxim, (I) + butylpyridaben, (I) + cadusafos, (I) + calcium arsenate, (I) + calcium cyanide, (I) + calcium polysulfide, (I) + camphechlor, (I) + carbanolate, (I) + carbaryl, (I) + carbofuran, (I) + carbon disulfide, (I) + carbon tetrachloride, (I) + carbophenothion, (I) + carbosulfan, (I) + cartap, (I) + cartap hydrochloride, (I) + cevadine, (I) + chlorbicyclen, (I) + chlordane, (I) + chlordecone, (I) + chlordimeform, (I) + chlordimeform hydrochloride, (I) + chlorethoxyfos, (I) + chlorfenapyr, (I) + chlorfenvinphos, (I) + chlorfluazuron, (I) + chlormephos, (I) + chloroform, (I) + chloropicrin, (I) + chlorphoxim, (I) + chlorprazophos, (I) + chlorpyrifos, (I) + chlorpyrifos-methyl, (I) + chlorthiophos, (I) + chromafenozide, (I) + cinerin I, (I) + cinerin II, (I) + cinerins, (I) + cis-resmethrin, (I) + cismethrin, (I) + clocythrin, (I) + cloethocarb, (I) + closantel, (I) + clothianidin, (I) + copper acetoarsenite, (I) + copper arsenate, (I) + copper oleate, (I) + coumaphos, (I) + coumithoate, (I) + crotamiton, (I) + crotoxyphos, (I) + crufomate, (I) + cryolite, (I) + CS 708, (I) + cyanofenphos, (I) + cyanophos, (I) + cyanthoate, (I) + cyclethrin, (I) + cycloprothrin, (I) + cyfluthrin, (I) + cyhalothrin, (I) + cypermethrin, (I) + cyphenothrin, (I) + cyromazine, (I) + cythioate, (I) + d-limonene, (I) + d-tetramethrin, (I) + DAEP, (I) + dazomet, (I) + DDT, (I) + decarbofuran, (I) + deltamethrin, (I) + demephion, (I) + demephion-O, (I) + demephion-S, (I) + demeton, (I) + demeton-methyl, (I) + demeton-O, (I) + demeton-O-methyl, (I) + demeton-S, (I) + demeton-S- methyl, (I) + demeton-S-methylsulphon, (I) + diafenthiuron, (I) + dialifos, (I) + diamidafos, (I) + diazinon, (I) + dicapthon, (I) + dichlofenthion, (I) + dichlorvos, (I) + dicliphos, (I) + dicresyl, (I) + dicrotophos, (I) + dicyclanil, (I) + dieldrin, (I) + diethyl 5-methylpyrazol-3-yl phosphate, (I) + diflubenzuron, (I) + dilor, (I) + dimefluthrin, (I) + dimefox, (I) + dimetan, (I) + dimethoate, (I) + dimethrin, (I) + dimethylvinphos, (I) + dimetilan, (I) + dinex, (I) + dinex-diclexine, (I) + dinoprop, (I) + dinosam, (I) + dinoseb, (I) + dinotefuran, (I) + diofenolan, (I) + dioxabenzofos, (I) + dioxacarb, (I) + dioxathion, (I) + disulfoton, (I) + dithicrofos, (I) + DNOC, (I) + doramectin, (I) + DSP, (I) + ecdysterone, (I) + El 1642, (I) + emamectin, (I) + emamectin benzoate, (I) + EMPC, (I) + empenthrin, (I) + endosulfan, (I) + endothion, (I) + endrin, (I) + EPBP, (I) + EPN, (I) + epofenonane, (I) + eprinomectin, (I) + esfenvalerate, (I) + etaphos, (I) + ethiofencarb, (I) + ethion, (I) + ethiprole, (I) + ethoate-methyl, (I) + ethoprophos, (I) + ethyl formate, (I) + ethyl-DDD, (I) + ethylene dibromide, (I) + ethylene dichloride, (I) + ethylene oxide, (I) + etofenprox, (I) + etrimfos, (I) + EXD, (I) + famphur, (I) + fenamiphos, (I) + fenazaflor, (I) + fenchlorphos, (I) + fenethacarb, (I) + fenfluthrin, (I) + fenitrothion, (I) + fenobucarb, (I) + fenoxacrim, (I) + fenoxycarb, (I) + fenpirithrin, (I) + fenpropathrin, (I) + fenpyrad, (I) + fensulfothion, (I) + fenthion, (I) + fenthion-ethyl, (I) + fenvalerate, (I) + fipronil, (I) + flonicamid, (I) + flubendiamide, (I) + flucofuron, (I) + flucycloxuron, (I) + flucythrinate, (I) + fluenetil, (I) + flufenerim, (I) + flufenoxuron, (I) + flufenprox, (I) + flumethrin, (I) + fluvalinate, (I) + FMC 1137, (I) + fonofos, (I) + formetanate, (I) + formetanate hydrochloride, (I) + formothion, (I) + formparanate, (I) + fosmethilan, (I) + fospirate, (I) + fosthiazate, (I) + fosthietan, (I) + furathiocarb, (I) + furethrin, (I) + gamma-cyhalothrin, (I) + gamma-HCH, (I) + guazatine, (I) + guazatine acetates, (I) + GY- 81 , (I) + halfenprox, (I) + halofenozide, (I) + HCH, (I) + HEOD, (I) + heptachlor, (I) + heptenophos, (I) + heterophos, (I) + hexaflumuron, (I) + HHDN, (I) + hydramethylnon, (I) + hydrogen cyanide, (I) + hydroprene, (I) + hyquincarb, (I) + imidacloprid, (I) + imiprothrin, (I) + indoxacarb, (I) + iodomethane, (I) + IPSP, (I) + isazofos, (I) + isobenzan, (I) + isocarbophos, (I) + isocycloseram, (I) + isodrin, (I) + isofenphos, (I) + isolane, (I) + isoprocarb, (I) + isopropyl 0-(methoxyaminothiophosphoryl)salicylate, (I) + isoprothiolane, (I) + isothioate, (I) + isoxathion, (I) + ivermectin, (I) + jasmolin I, (I) + jasmolin II, (I) + jodfenphos, (I) + juvenile hormone I, (I) + juvenile hormone II, (I) + juvenile hormone III, (I) + kelevan, (I) + kinoprene, (I) + lambda-cyhalothrin, (I) + lead arsenate, (I) + lepimectin, (I) + leptophos, (I) + lindane, (I) + lirimfos, (I) + lufenuron, (I) + lythidathion, (I) + m-cumenyl methylcarbamate, (I) + magnesium phosphide, (I) + malathion, (I) + malonoben, (I) + mazidox, (I) + mecarbam, (I) + mecarphon, (I) + menazon, (I) + mephosfolan, (I) + mercurous chloride, (I) + mesulfenfos, (I) + metaflumizone, (I) + metam, (I) + metam-potassium, (I) + metam-sodium, (I) + methacrifos, (I) + methamidophos, (I) + methanesulfonyl fluoride, (I) + methidathion, (I) + methiocarb, (I) + methocrotophos, (I) + methomyl, (I) + methoprene, (I) + methoquin-butyl, (I) + methothrin, (I) + methoxychlor, (I) + methoxyfenozide, (I) + methyl bromide, (I) + methyl isothiocyanate, (I) + methylchloroform, (I) + methylene chloride, (I) + metofluthrin, (I) + metolcarb, (I) + metoxadiazone, (I) + mevinphos, (I) + mexacarbate, (I) + milbemectin, (I) + milbemycin oxime, (I) + mipafox, (I) + mirex, (I) + monocrotophos, (I) + morphothion, (I) + moxidectin, (I) + naftalofos, (I) + naled, (I) + naphthalene, (I) + NC-170, (I) + NC-184, (I) + nicotine, (I) + nicotine sulfate, (I) + nifluridide, (I) + nitenpyram, (I) + nithiazine, (I) + nitrilacarb, (I) + nitrilacarb 1 :1 zinc chloride complex, (I) + NNI-0101 , (I) + NNI-0250, (I) + nornicotine, (I) + novaluron, (I) + noviflumuron, (I) + 0-5-dichloro-4-iodophenyl O-ethyl ethylphosphonothioate, (I) + O,O-diethyl 0-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H- chromen-7-yl phosphorothioate, (I) + O,O-diethyl 0-6-methyl-2-propylpyrimidin-4-yl phosphorothioate, (I) + O,O,O',O'-tetrapropyl dithiopyrophosphate, (I) + oleic acid, (I) + omethoate, (I) + oxamyl, (I) + oxydemeton-methyl, (I) + oxydeprofos, (I) + oxydisulfoton, (I) + pp'-DDT, (I) + para-dichlorobenzene, (I) + parathion, (I) + parathion-methyl, (I) + penfluron, (I) + pentachlorophenol, (I) + pentachlorophenyl laurate, (I) + permethrin, (I) + petroleum oils, (I) + PH 60-38, (I) + phenkapton, (I) + phenothrin, (I) + phenthoate, (I) + phorate+ TX, (I) + phosalone, (I) + phosfolan, (I) + phosmet, (I) + phosnichlor, (I) + Phosphamidon, (I) + phosphine, (I) + phoxim, (I) + phoxim-methyl, (I) + pirimetaphos, (I) + pirimicarb, (I) + pirimiphos-ethyl, (I) + pirimiphos-methyl, (I) + polychlorodicyclopentadiene isomers, (I) + polychloroterpenes, (I) + potassium arsenite, (I) + potassium thiocyanate, (I) + prallethrin, (I) + precocene I, (I) + precocene II, (I) + precocene III, (I) + primidophos, (I) + profenofos, (I) + profluthrin, (I) + promacyl, (I) + promecarb, (I) + propaphos, (I) + propetamphos, (I) + propoxur, (I) + prothidathion, (I) + prothiofos, (I) + prothoate, (I) + protrifenbute, (I) + pymetrozine, (I) + pyraclofos, (I) + pyrazophos, (I) + pyresmethrin, (I) + pyrethrin I, (I) + pyrethrin II, (I) + pyrethrins, (I) + pyridaben, (I) + pyridalyl, (I) + pyridaphenthion, (I) + pyrimidifen, (I) + pyrimitate, (I) + pyriproxyfen, (I) + quassia, (I) + quinalphos, (I) + quinalphos-methyl, (I) + quinothion, (I) + quintiofos, (I) + R-1492, (I) + rafoxanide, (I) + resmethrin, (I) + rotenone, (I) + RU 15525, (I) + RU 25475, (I) + ryania, (I) + ryanodine, (I) + sabadilla, (I) + schradan, (I) + sebufos, (I) + selamectin, (I) + SI-0009, (I) + SI-0205, (I) + SI-0404, (I) + SI-0405, (I) + silafluofen, (I) + SN 72129, (I) + sodium arsenite, (I) + sodium cyanide, (I) + sodium fluoride, (I) + sodium hexafluorosilicate, (I) + sodium pentachlorophenoxide, (I) + sodium selenate, (I) + sodium thiocyanate, (I) + sophamide, (I) + spinosad, (I) + spiromesifen, (I) + spirotetrmat, (I) + sulcofuron, (I) + sulcofuron- sodium, (I) + sulfluramid, (I) + sulfotep, (I) + sulfuryl fluoride, (I) + sulprofos, (I) + tar oils, (I) + tau- fluvalinate, (I) + tazimcarb, (I) + TDE, (I) + tebufenozide, (I) + tebufenpyrad, (I) + tebupirimfos, (I) + teflubenzuron, (I) + tefluthrin, (I) + temephos, (I) + TEPP, (I) + terallethrin, (I) + terbam, (I) + terbufos, (I) + tetrachloroethane, (I) + tetrachlorvinphos, (I) + tetramethrin, (I) + theta-cypermethrin, (I) + thiacloprid, (I) + thiafenox, (I) + thiamethoxam, (I) + thicrofos, (I) + thiocarboxime, (I) + thiocyclam, (I) + thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, (I) + thiodicarb, (I) + thiofanox, (I) + thiometon, (I) + thionazin, (I) + thiosultap, (I) + thiosultap-sodium, (I) + thuringiensin, (I) + tolfenpyrad, (I) + tralomethrin, (I) + transfluthrin, (I) + transpermethrin, (I) + triamiphos, (I) + triazamate, (I) + triazophos, (I) + triazuron, (I) + trichlorfon, (I) + trichlormetaphos-3, (I) + trichloronat, (I) + trifenofos, (I) + triflumuron, (I) + trimethacarb, (I) + triprene, (I) + vamidothion, (I) + vaniliprole, (I) + veratridine, (I) + veratrine, (I) + XMC, (I) + xylylcarb, (I) + YI-5302, (I) + zeta-cypermethrin, (I) + zetamethrin, (I) + zinc phosphide, (I) + zolaprofos and ZXI 8901 , (I) + cyantraniliprole, (I) + chlorantraniliprole, (I) + cyenopyrafen, (I) + cyflumetofen, (I) + pyrifluquinazon, (I) + spinetoram, (I) + spirotetramat, (I) + sulfoxaflor, (I) + flufiprole, (I) + meperfluthrin, (I) + tetramethylfluthrin, (I) + triflumezopyrim.

Compositions comprising a molluscicide include (I) + bis(tributyltin) oxide, (I) + bromoacetamide, (I) + calcium arsenate, (I) + cloethocarb, (I) + copper acetoarsenite, (I) + copper sulfate, (I) + fentin, (I) + ferric phosphate, (I) + metaldehyde, (I) + methiocarb, (I) + niclosamide, (I) + niclosamide-olamine, (I) + pentachlorophenol, (I) + sodium pentachlorophenoxide, (I) + tazimcarb, (I) + thiodicarb, (I) + tributyltin oxide, (I) + trifenmorph, (I) + trimethacarb, (I) + triphenyltin acetate and triphenyltin hydroxide, (I) + pyriprole.

Compositions comprising a nematicide include (I) + AKD-3088, (I) + 1 ,2-dibromo-3- chloropropane, (I) + 1 ,2-dichloropropane, (I) + 1 ,2-dichloropropane with 1 ,3-dichloropropene, (I) + 1 ,3- dichloropropene, (I) + 3,4-dichlorotetrahydrothiophene 1 ,1-dioxide, (I) + 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5- methylrhodanine, (I) + 5-methyl-6-thioxo-1 ,3,5-thiadiazinan-3-ylacetic acid, (I) + 6- isopentenylaminopurine, (I) + abamectin, (I) + acetoprole, (I) + alanycarb, (I) + aldicarb, (I) + aldoxycarb, (I) + AZ 60541 , (I) + benclothiaz, (I) + benomyl, (I) + butylpyridaben, (I) + cadusafos, (I) + carbofuran, (I) + carbon disulfide, (I) + carbosulfan, (I) + chloropicrin, (I) + chlorpyrifos, (I) + cloethocarb, (I) + cyclobutrifluram, (I) + cytokinins, (I) + dazomet, (I) + DBCP, (I) + DCIP, (I) + diamidafos, (I) + dichlofenthion, (I) + dicliphos, (I) + dimethoate, (I) + doramectin, (I) + emamectin, (I) + emamectin benzoate, (I) + eprinomectin, (I) + ethoprophos, (I) + ethylene dibromide, (I) + fenamiphos, (I) + fenpyrad, (I) + fensulfothion, (I) + fosthiazate, (I) + fosthietan, (I) + furfural, (I) + GY-81 , (I) + heterophos, (I) + iodomethane, (I) + isamidofos, (I) + isazofos, (I) + ivermectin, (I) + kinetin, (I) + mecarphon, (I) + metam, (I) + metam-potassium, (I) + metam-sodium, (I) + methyl bromide, (I) + methyl isothiocyanate, (I) + milbemycin oxime, (I) + moxidectin, (I) + Myrothecium verrucaria composition, (I) + NC-184, (I) + oxamyl, (I) + phorate, (I) + phosphamidon, (I) + phosphocarb, (I) + sebufos, (I) + selamectin, (I) + spinosad, (I) + terbam, (I) + terbufos, (I) + tetrachlorothiophene, (I) + thiafenox, (I) + thionazin, (I) + triazophos, (I) + triazuron, (I) + xylenols, (I) + YI-5302 and zeatin, (I) + fluensulfone.

Compositions comprising a synergist include (I) + 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl piperonylate, (I) + 5- (1 ,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-hexylcyclohex-2-enone, (I) + farnesol with nerolidol, (I) + MB-599, (I) + MGK 264, (I) + piperonyl butoxide, (I) + piprotal, (I) + propyl isomer, (I) + S421 , (I) + sesamex, (I) + sesasmolin and (I) + sulfoxide.

Compositions comprising an animal repellent include (I) + anthraquinone, (I) + chloralose, (I) + copper naphthenate, (I) + copper oxychloride, (I) + diazinon, (I) + dicyclopentadiene, (I) + guazatine, (I) + guazatine acetates, (I) + methiocarb, (I) + pyridin-4-amine, (I) + thiram, (I) + trimethacarb, (I) + zinc naphthenate and (I) + ziram.

Further compositions include (I) + brofluthrinate, (I) + cycloxaprid, (I) + diflovidazine, (I) + flometoquin, (I) + fluhexafon, (I) + Guadipyr, (I) + Plutella xylostella Granulosis virus, (I) + Cydia pomonella Granulosis virus, (I) + harpin, (I) + imicyafos, (I) + Heliothis virescens Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (I) + Heliothis punctigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (I) + Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (I) + Helicoverpa zea Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (I) + Spodoptera frugiperda Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (I) + Plutella xylostella Nucleopolyhedrovirus, (I) + Pasteuria nishizawae , (I) + p-cymene, (I) + pyflubumide, (I) + pyrafluprole, (I) + pyrethrum, (I) + QRD 420, (I) + QRD 452, (I) + QRD 460, (I) + Terpenoid blends, (I) + Terpenoids, (I) + tetraniliprole, (I) + a-terpinene, cyclaniliprole, cyhalodiamide, tioxazafen, fluopyram, fluazaindolizine, fluxametamide, brofanilide, afidopyropen, tyclopyrazoflor, flupyrim, benzpyrimoxan, etpyrafen, acynonapyr and flometoquin.

The weight ratio of spiropidion and another pesticidal active ingredient is generally between 1000:1 and 1 :100, more preferably between 500:1 and 1 :100, for example between 250:1 and 1 :66, between 125:1 and 1 :33, between 100:1 and 1 :25, between 66:1 and 1 :10, between 33:1 and 1 :5, between 8:1 and 1 :3, and between 2:1 to 1 :2.

In practice, the pesticidal compositions used in accordance with the invention are applied as a formulation containing other formulation components known to or used in the industry.

These formulations can be in various physical forms, e.g. in the form of dusting powders, gels, wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, water-dispersible tablets, effervescent pellets, emulsifiable concentrates, microemulsifiable concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, oil-flowables, aqueous dispersions, oily dispersions, suspo-emulsions, capsule suspensions, emulsifiable granules, soluble liquids, water-soluble concentrates (with water or a water-miscible organic solvent as carrier), impregnated polymer films or in other forms known e.g. from the Manual on Development and Use of FAO and WHO Specifications for Pesticides, United Nations, First Edition, Second Revision (2010). Such formulations are typically diluted prior to use. The dilutions can be made, for example, with water, liquid fertilisers, micronutrients, biological organisms, oil or solvents.

The formulations may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with the formulation adjuvants in order to obtain formulations in the form of finely divided solids, granules, solutions, dispersions or emulsions. The active ingredient can also be formulated with other adjuvants, such as finely divided solids, mineral oils, oils of vegetable or animal origin, modified oils of vegetable or animal origin, organic solvents, water, surface-active substances or combinations thereof.

The formulation adjuvants that are suitable for the preparation of the formulations according to the invention are known per se. As liquid carriers there may be used: water, toluene, xylene, petroleum ether, vegetable oils, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acid anhydrides, acetonitrile, acetophenone, amyl acetate, 2-butanone, butylene carbonate, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, alkyl esters of acetic acid, diacetone alcohol, 1 ,2-dichloropropane, diethanolamine, p- diethylbenzene, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol abietate, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, /V,/V-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 ,4- dioxane, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, diproxitol, alkylpyrrolidone, ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, ethylene carbonate, 1 ,1 ,1 -trichloroethane, 2-heptanone, alpha-pinene, d-limonene, ethyl lactate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, gamma-butyrolactone, glycerol, glycerol acetate, glycerol diacetate, glycerol triacetate, hexadecane, hexylene glycol, isoamyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, isooctane, isophorone, isopropylbenzene, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, laurylamine, mesityl oxide, methoxypropanol, methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl laurate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methylene chloride, m-xylene, n-hexane, n-octylamine, octadecanoic acid, octylamine acetate, oleic acid, oleylamine, o-xylene, phenol, polyethylene glycol, propionic acid, propyl lactate, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol methyl ether, p-xylene, toluene, triethyl phosphate, triethylene glycol, xylenesulfonic acid, paraffin, mineral oil, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and alcohols of higher molecular weight, such as amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, hexanol, octanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, A/-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like.

Suitable solid carriers are, for example, talc, titanium dioxide, pyrophyllite clay, silica, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, limestone, calcium carbonate, bentonite, calcium montmorillonite, cottonseed husks, wheat flour, soybean flour, pumice, wood flour, ground walnut shells, lignin and similar substances.

A large number of surface-active substances can advantageously be used in both solid and liquid formulations, especially in those formulations which can be diluted with a carrier prior to use. Surfaceactive substances may be anionic, cationic, non-ionic or polymeric and they can be used as emulsifiers, wetting agents or suspending agents or for other purposes. Typical surface-active substances include, for example, salts of alkyl sulfates, such as diethanolammonium lauryl sulfate; salts of alkylarylsulfonates, such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; alkylphenol/alkylene oxide addition products, such as nonylphenol ethoxylate; alcohol/alkylene oxide addition products, such as tridecylalcohol ethoxylate; soaps, such as sodium stearate; salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, such as sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinate salts, such as sodium di(2- ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate; sorbitol esters, such as sorbitol oleate; quaternary amines, such as lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, such as polyethylene glycol stearate; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and salts of mono- and dialkylphosphate esters; and also further substances described e.g. in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual, MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood New Jersey (1981).

Further adjuvants that can be used in pesticidal formulations include crystallisation inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, dyes, anti-oxidants, foaming agents, light absorbers, mixing auxiliaries, antifoams, complexing agents, neutralising or pH-modifying substances and buffers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, wetting agents, take-up enhancers, micronutrients, plasticisers, glidants, lubricants, dispersants, thickeners, antifreezes, microbicides, and liquid and solid fertilisers.

The formulations/compositions used according to the invention can include an additive comprising an oil of vegetable or animal origin, a mineral oil, alkyl esters of such oils or mixtures of such oils and oil derivatives. The amount of oil additive in the formulations according to the invention is generally from 0.01 to 10 %, based on the mixture to be applied. For example, the oil additive can be added to a spray tank in the desired concentration after a spray mixture has been prepared. Preferred oil additives comprise mineral oils or an oil of vegetable origin, for example rapeseed oil, olive oil or sunflower oil, emulsified vegetable oil, alkyl esters of oils of vegetable origin, for example the methyl derivatives, or an oil of animal origin, such as fish oil or beef tallow. Preferred oil additives comprise alkyl esters of C8-C22 fatty acids, especially the methyl derivatives of C12-C18 fatty acids, for example the methyl esters of lauric acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid (methyl laurate, methyl palmitate and methyl oleate, respectively). Many oil derivatives are known from the Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants, 10^th Edition, Southern Illinois University, 2010.

A preferred formulation can have the following composition (weight %):

Suspension concentrates: active ingredient: 5 to 75 %, preferably 10 to 50 % water: 94 to 24 %, preferably 88 to 30 % surface-active agent: 1 to 40 %, preferably 2 to 30 %

Wettable powders: active ingredient: 0.5 to 90 %, preferably 1 to 80 % surface-active agent: 0.5 to 20 %, preferably 1 to 15 % solid carrier: 5 to 95 %, preferably 15 to 90 %

Granules: active ingredient: 0.1 to 30 %, preferably 0.1 to 15 % solid carrier: 99.5 to 70 %, preferably 97 to 85 % Methods for the synthetic preparation of spiropidion (3-(4-chloro-2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-8-methoxy- 1-methyl-2-oxo-1 ,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl] ethyl carbonate. CAS no.: 1229023-00-0) are described in WO 2010/066780, WO 2018/114648 and WO 2018/114649, and references cited therein.

EXAMPLE:

Preventative control of white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) on tea plant.

A spiropidion suspension concentrate formulation (SC300) was diluted in water and mixed with the paraffinic oil adjuvant Atplus® 463 (0.1% of the dilution). Test compositions comprising the spiropidion dilutions at the application volumes and rates defined for test compositions 1 to 9 in the Table were sprayed on the trunk (Test composition 1) or canopy (Test compositions 2 to 9) of three tea plants (Camellia sinensis) - 27 plants in total. The application was made at varying days before infestation (DBI) of white peach scale. The infestation site was on the trunk of the tea plant. Percentage control of white peach scale was measured at 30 days after infestation (DAI). For canopy spray applications, the trunk of the plants was covered by a plastic wrap to prevent contact of spiropidion active ingredient with the trunk.

Table g Al/hl = grams active ingredient per hectolitre. g Al/ha = grams active ingredient per hectare.

The data in the Table for test composition 1 show that the water- and labour-intensive application of a spiropidion composition to the trunk of a tea plant (adhesion of Al to plant) using high volumes of the composition per hectare provided 100% control 30 days after infestation against white peach scale.

The data in the Table also reveal the surprising effect of test compositions 2 to 9 that for tea plant canopy applications when the application volume is reduced 10-fold (1000 L/ha) or even 50-fold (200 L/ha) over test composition 1 at equivalent doses , similarly high levels of pest control are observed (systemic effect through translaminar action and phloem transport). This was not expected.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of controlling an insect pest on a tea plant, which method comprises a spray application to the leaf canopy of the tea plant with a pesticidal composition comprising an insecticidal active ingredient selected from spiropidion, spirotetramat, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen or spidoxamat.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the tea plant is Camellia sinensis.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pest is a scale insect.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the pest is white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagona) or Indian wax scale (Ceroplastes ceriferus).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pesticidal composition further comprises an adjuvant selected from a mineral oil, a vegetable oil, an esterified vegetable oil, a methylated vegetable oil or an alkyl ester phosphate-based adjuvant, and preferably, a mineral oil.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pestcidal composition is an aqueous dilution of a suspension concentrate formulation of spiropidion.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pestcidal composition comprises one or more additional pesticidal active ingredients) and/or one or more agrochemically-acceptable diluents or carriers.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the spray application volume per hectare of the pesticidal composition is in the range of 200 to 4000 litres per hectare (L/ha).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the spray application volume per hectare of the pesticidal composition is in the range of 500 to 1500 litres per hectare (L/ha).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the active ingredient is applied at 500 to 2000 grams per hectare.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the active ingredient is applied at 1000 to 1500 grams per hectare.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the insect pest inhabits the stem or a branch of the tea plant.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the insecticidal active ingredient is spiropidion or spirotetramat.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the insecticidal active ingredient is spiropidion.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the spray application substantially avoids the application of the pesticidal composition to the non-foliar parts of the tea plant.