USOO6583088B1 (12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,583,088 B1 Andersch (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 24, 2003

(54) USE OF SPINOSYNES AS SOIL (58) Field of Search ...... 514/450; 424/405; INSECTICDES 504/140, 209 (75) Inventor: Wolfram Andersch, Bergisch Gladbach (56) References Cited DE (DE) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS (73) Assignees: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen 5,362,634 A 11/1994 Boeck et al...... 435/76 (DE); Dow Agrosciences LLC, 5,670,364 A 9/1997 Mynderse et al...... 435/252.1 Indianapolis, IN (US) 5,670,486 A 9/1997 Mynderse et al...... 514/28 5,840,861 A 11/1998 Mynderse et al...... 536/16.8 (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,001,981. A * 12/1999 DeAmicis et al...... 536/7.1 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. OTHER PUBLICATIONS (21) Appl. No.: 09/700,674 Dow Elanco Trade Magazine, Down to Earth, vol. 52, No. 1 (month unavailable), 1997, pp. 1-24, G. D. Thompson et (22) PCT Filed: May 14, 1999 al, “The Discovery of Saccharopolyspora Spinosa and a (86) PCT No.: PCT/EP99/03318 New Class of Control Produces”. S371 (c)(1), * cited by examiner (2), (4) Date: Nov. 17, 2000 Primary Examiner Alton Pryor (87) PCT Pub. No.: WO99/60856 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Joseph C. Gil; John E. Mrozinski, Jr.; Richard E. L. Henderson PCT Pub. Date: Dec. 2, 1999 (57) ABSTRACT (30) Foreign Application Priority Data The present invention relates to the use of Spinosyns for May 26, 1998 (DE) ...... 198 23397

treating Seed and plant propagation material. (51) Int. Cl." ...... A01N 43/02; AO1N 43/00 (52) U.S. Cl...... 504/140; 504/209 3 Claims, No Drawings US 6,583,088 B1 1 2 USE OF SPINOSYNES AS SOL It has now been found that Spinosyns have Systemic INSECTICDES properties and that application via the Soil or via plant irrigation is possible. They may also be used for treating This Application is a 371 of PCT/EP99/03318 filed May Seed and plant propagation material. 14, 1999. The present invention relates to the use of Spinosyns, in particular for treating the Soil, for treating Seed or plant The Spinosyns are known compounds. The fermentation propagation material, and for drenching and irrigating product described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,634 (A83543) is plants. composed of a variety of compounds termed Spinosyn A, B, It is known that Spinosyns can be used for controlling 10 C and the like (cf. WO97/00 265, WO 93/09 126 and WO (WO 9700265, WO 93/09 126, WO 94/20518, U.S. 94/20518). The spinosyns may be represented by the Pat. No. 5,362,634). following formulae (I) and (II):

(I)

OR6

Compound Spinosyn A CH (CH3)2N NLVCH CHS CH, CH, CH Spinosyn B CH, (CH3)2NH NbCH CH, CH, CH, CH Spinosyn C CH, HN Y!'CH CH, CH, CH, CH Spinosyn D CH, CH, (CH3)2NYl CH CHS CH, CH, CH Spinosyn E CH (CH3)2NY CH - CH, CH, CH, CH, Spinosyn F H CH CHS CH, CH, CH

Spinosyn G CHs (CH)N CH, CH, CH, CH

CH

Spinosyn H C H C C CH Y Cby H3 2 Hs H H US 6,583,088 B1

-continued

(I)

R1 Compound Spinosyn J CH CH CHs CH CH

Spinosyn K CH, CHs CH, CH,

Spinosyn L. CH CH CC CHs CH CH

Spinosyn M C CH CH3HH 3OOO 2 Hs CH CH N-V

Spinosyn N CH CH C 2 Hs CH CH O

Spinosyn O CH CH C 2 Hs CH CH

Spinosyn P CH C 2 Hs CH

Spinosyn Q C CH CH CCC 2 Hs CH CH

Spinosyn R C CH, CHHHH333 3OOO 2 Hs CH, CH, NV Spinosyn S CH CH CH CH

Spinosyn T C CH OO 2 Hs CH

Spinosyn U C CH CCCH3HH3 2 Hs CH Y by US 6,583,088 B1

-continued (I)

Compound R4 Spinosyn V CH CH Y CH - CHs CH Spinosyn W CH, CH, Y CHby CHs CH, Spinosyn Y CH Y CHby CHs CH CH Spinosyn A 17-Psa CH CHs CH CH CH Spinosyn D 17-Psa CH, CHs CH, CH, CH, Spinosyn E 17-Psa CH CHs CH CH CH Spinosyn F 17-Psa CHs CH CH CH Spinosyn H 17-Psa CH CHs C CH Spinosyn J 17-Psa CH, CHs CH, CH, Spinosyn L. 17-Psa CH CHs CH " CH and

(II)

Compound Spinosyn A 9-Psa

Spinosyn D 9-Psa CH CH US 6,583,088 B1

-continued (II)

Compound R1 R2 R3' R4 Rs' Spinosyn A aglycone H CH H CHs H Spinosyn Daglycone CH CH H CHs H

There have also been disclosed Semisynthetic Spinosyns R” represents methyl or ethyl. of the formula (Ia) The term "spinosyn” as used herein encompasses the compounds disclosed in WO97/00265. (Ia) Individual Spinosyns, but also mixtures of the abovemen

tioned spinosyns of the formulae (I), (Ia) and (II) may be used according to the invention. Mixtures comprising at least one Spinosyn of the formula QRCH, OR! (I) or (II) are preferably used. O OR3 Mixtures comprising a mixture of Spinosyn A and Spino syn D in which the ratio of spinosin A to spinosyn D is generally between approximately 80:20 and approximately 98:2, a value of approximately 85:15 being preferred, are preferably used. Spinosad (see, for example, Dowlanco 35 trade magazine Down to Earth, Vol. 52, No. 1, 1997 and the literature cited therein), which comprises essentially a mix ture of Spinosyn A and Spinosyn D in a ratio of approxi mately 85:15, is especially preferably used. In particular, the fermentation product A 83543, which (WO 97/00 265) in which 40 comprises approximately 85 to 90% of Spinosyn A, approxi A and B each represent a single bond, a double bond or mately 10 to 15% of spinosyn D and minor amounts of an epoxide unit, spinosyns B, C, E, F, G, H and J and which is disclosed in R represents U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,634, is used. The acid addition salts described therein may also be 45 used. N or R8-O, The following types of Seed and plant propagation mate M rial are preferably treated according to the invention: R8 Maize, cereals (Such as, for example, wheat, barley, oats, rye), rice, Seed potatoes, cotton, oilseed rape, Sunflower, beet R" represents hydrogen or methyl, (Such as, for example, Sugar beet), vegetable Seed (Such as, R, R and R' independently of one another represent 50 for example, onion, cabbage, tomato), (fodder) legumes, C-C -alkyl, C-C-haloge no alkyl, C-C- peanuts, Soya, Sorghum. alkylcarbonyl or protected hydroxyl, The following general treatment methods are preferably R represents hydrogen, C-C-alkyl, C-C-alkylamino Suitable for carrying out the Seed treatment, or plant propa or represents alkylhydroxylamino of the formula 55 gation material treatment, according to the invention: dry treatments (preferably with addition of adhesion pro -N-OR11 moters Such as, for example, liquid paraffin or talc), and, if appropriate, colorants, OR10 slurry treatments (preferably with addition of wetters, 60 dispersants, emulsifiers, adhesives, inert fillers and in which colorants), R" and R' independently of one another represent aqueous liquid treatments (preferably with addition of hydrogen, C-C-alkyl or C-C-alkylcarbonyl, emulsifiers, dispersants, thickeners, antifreeze agents, R represents hydrogen or methyl, polymers, adhesives and colorants), R", R and R independently of one another represent 65 solvent-based liquid treatments (with addition of solvents C-C-alkyl, C-C-halogenoalkyl or C-C- and colorants), emulsion treatments (with addition of alkylcarbonyl, or represent protected amino, and emulsifiers, Solvents and colorants). US 6,583,088 B1 9 10 The total active compound content in the Spinosyn treat LO cust a migratoria migrat Orioides, Melanoplus ment formulations preferably amounts to 10 to 80% by differentialis, Schistocerca gregaria. weight. From the order of the Dermaptera, for example, Forficula Preferably, 1 to 300 g of active compound are applied to auricularia. every 100 kg of Seed or plant propagation material in the From the order of the Isoptera, for example, Reticuliter form of a treatment. meS Spp. From the order of the Anoplura, for example, Phylloxera The treatment method according to the invention is car vaStatrix, Pemphigus spp., Pediculus humanus CorpOris, ried out in customary treatment apparatuses or drum mixers Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp. as are customary, for example, in the construction industry. From the order of the Mallophaga, for example, Tri Seed (or plant propagation material) and Seed treatment chodectes spp., Damalinea spp. formulation (or treatment formulation for plant propagation From the order of the Thysanoptera, for example, Fran material) are mixed intimately in a conventionally used kliniella Occidentalis, Hercinothrips femoralis, Thrips treatment apparatus. palmi, Thrips tabaci. After the Seed (or plant propagation material) has been From the order of the Heteroptera, for example, Euryga treated, it is dried to a Sufficient degree in the case of the wet 15 Ster spp., Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Cimex treatments, and the resulting treated Seed (or plant propaga lectularius, Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma spp. tion material) is then packaged in portions. From the order of the Homoptera, for example, Aleurodes When applying the Seed or plant propagation material brassicae, Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, which has been treated according to the invention, 1 to 5000 Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, kg of treated Seed (or plant propagation material) are gen Aphis fabae, Doralis pomi, Eriosoma lanigerum, Hya erally employed per hectare of area under cultivation, pref lopterus arundinis, MacroSiphum avenae, Myzus spp., erably 100 to 300 kg of seed (or plant propagation material) Phorodon humuli, RhopaloSiphum padi, Empoasca spp., per hectare of area under cultivation. Euscelis bilobatus, Nephotettix cincticeps, Lecanium corni, Surprisingly, it has been found that the Spinosyns have Saissetia Oleae, Laodelphax Striatellus, Nilaparvata lugens, A.Onidiella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp., Systemic properties and, when applied via the Soil, are very 25 Psylla spp. effective against the pests mentioned further below. From the order of the , for example, Pectino It is advantageous to apply granules comprising the active phora gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheimatobia compound(s) into or onto the Soil. Examples of Suitable brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, applications are broadcast, band, furrow and planting-hole Plutella maculipennis, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis application. Broadcast application is to be understood as chrysorrhoea, Lymantria spp., Bucculatrix thurberiella, Superficial application of the active compound over the Phyllocnistis Citrella, Agrotis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., entire area to be treated and Subsequent mechanical incor Earias insulana, Heliothis spp., Spodoptera exigua, poration into the Soil. Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Prodenia litura, The use in Seed boxes in rice cultivation may be men Spodoptera spp., Trichoplusia ni, CarpOcapsa pomonella, tioned especially (nursery box treatment). 35 Pieris spp., Chilo spp., Pyrausta nubilalis, Ephestia It is particularly advantageous to emulsify or dissolve the kuehniella, Galleria mellonella, Tineola bisselliella, Tinea Spinosyns or their Salts in water and to use this for irrigating pellionella, Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Cacoecia the plants. pOdana, Capua reticulana, Choristoneura funiferana, Cly Examples of Suitable applications are spraying onto the Sia ambiguella, magnanima, Tortrix viridana, Soil, drenching, i.e. irrigating the plants with active 40 Cnaphalocerus spp. compound-containing Solutions, and drip irrigation, and also From the order of the Coleoptera, for example, Anobium use in hydroponic Systems, in particular in the production of punctatum, Rhizopertha dominica, Acanthoscelides vegetables and ornamentals. obtectus, Acanthoscelides Obtectus, Hylotrupes bajulus, The Spinosyns may also be applied via the stem, for Agelastica alni, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Phaedon example by means of Stem injection. 45 cochleariae, Diabrotica spp., Psylliodes chrysocephala, The Seed treatments according to the invention are Suit Epilachina varivestis, Atomaria spp., Oryzaephilus able for controlling animal pests, preferably and Surinamensis, Antho nomus spp., Sitophilus spp., Otiorrhyn nematodes, in particular insects and arachnids, which are chuS Sulcatus, COSmopoliteS SOrdidus, CeuthOrrhynchus found in agriculture and in forests. They are effective against aSSimilis, Hypera poStica, Dermestes spp., Trogoderma spp., normally-Sensitive and resistant species and against all or 50 Anthrenus spp., Attagenus spp., Lyctus spp., Melligethes individual developmental Stages. The abovementioned pests aeneus, Ptinus spp., Niptus hololeucus, Gibbium psylloides, include: Tribolium spp., Tenebrio molitor, Agriotes spp., Conoderus From the order of the Isopoda, for example, Oniscus spp., Melolontha melolontha, Amphimallon Solstitialis, CoS aSellus, Armadillidium vulgare, Porcellio Scaber. telytra zealandica, Oulema Oryzae, LissOrhoptrus Oryzophi From the order of the Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus 55 lus. guttulatus. From the order of the Hymenoptera, for example, Diprion From the order of the Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium carpophagus, Scutigera Spec. pharaonis, Vespa spp. From the order of the Symphyla, for example, Scutiger From the order of the Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., ella immaculata. 60 Anopheles spp., Culex spp., Drosophila melanogaster, From the order of the Thysanura, for example, Lepisma Musca spp., Fannia spp., Caliphora erythrocephala, Lucilia Saccharina. spp., Chrysomyia spp., Cuterebra spp., Gastrophilus spp., From the order of the Collembola, for example, Onychi Hyppobosca spp., Liriomyza spp., Stomoxys spp., OestruS liftiS (Irinaiti.S. spp., Hypoderma spp., Tabanus spp., Tannia spp., Bibio From the order of the Orthoptera, for example, Blatta 65 hortulanus, Oscinella frit, Phorbia spp., Pegomyia Orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Leucophaea maderae, hyOScyami, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus Oleae, Tipula palu Blattella germanica, Acheta domeSticus, Gryllotalpa spp., dosa. US 6,583,088 B1 11 12 From the order of the Siphonaptera, for example, Xenop The maize is Sown into numbered paraffin-treated card Sylla cheopis, Ceratophyllus spp. board pots (type 500, 0.51, height 83 mm, Ø at the top 110 From the order of the Arachnida, for example, Scorpio mm) filled with 300 ml of BI-soil (standardized potting maurus, LatrodectuS mactans. Substrate, Sandy loam). The Soil is tamped down with a From the order of the Acarina, for example, Acarus Siro, Stamp (9) 10 cm), 30 ml of water are poured on using a flask Argas spp., Ornithodoros spp., DermanySSuS gallinae, Erio equipped with a , 5 maize kernels are introduced, the phyes ribis, Phylocoptruta oleivora, Boophilus spp., Rhi product is tamped down, filled up with 100 ml of BI soil and picephalus spp., Amblyomma spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes covered with glass lids (1 replication). spp., Psoroptes spp., Chorioptes spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tar After 3 days, approx. 40 larvae (L2 instar) are counted Sonemus spp., Bryobia praetiosa, Panonychus spp., Tetrany into each pot. Also included are an untreated control with chus spp. test and one without test animals (control) to assess On Soil application, the Spinosyns are distinguished by a the germinability of the maize Seed. potent insecticidal activity against the abovementioned After a further 7 days, the efficacy in % is determined. The pests. efficacy is 100% if all maize plants have emerged. Insects which can preferably be controlled with the aid of 15 Location temperature: 20 C. the treatment according to the invention are those of the Spinosad Showed a good insecticidal action under the following orders: abovementioned conditions. Soil-dwelling insects: Diptera (for example the frit-fly, wheat-bulb fly), Coleoptera (for example Diabrotica Example 3 (wire worm), Lepidoptera (for example dart ), Limit Concentration: Duration of Action/Root Blattophtheroidea, Myriopoda. Systemic Leaf insects: Aphidina, Coleoptera, Brachycera, Test insect: Spodoptera frugiperda Lepidotera, Homoptera, Tysanoptera, Aleurodina, Cicadina, Test plant: Zea mayS (grain maize) Acasi, CoSSina, Heteroptera. Dose: 25 EXAMPLES 4 g of ai/kg->200 mg (20% strength WS/10 g of seed) 2 g of ai/kg->100 mg (20% strength WS/10 g of seed) Example 1 1 g of ai/kg->50 mg (20% strength WS/10 g of seed) Method: Weigh the particular amount of WS formulation Preparation of 20% Strength WS Formulations for stated into numbered round pots (Type 41, 90 ml) and Insecticidal Seed Treatment disperse with 200, 100 or 80 ul of water. Add 10g of maize “WS' means “water-dispersible powder for slurry seed Seed. Treat the maize for approx. 1-2 min. On a test-tube treatment' and denotes a formulation type for Seed treat Shaker at Setting 7 with the aid of a disposable spatula. ment. The maize kernels are sown into numbered round pots (Ø 35 11 cm) filled with BI soil. Make 2 seed holes per pot, Formula: Carrier material (zero-formulation) introduce 1 maize kernel per Seed hole, cover and tamp 2.0% Brilliant Ponceau Red ERC 70 down with a stamp (Q) 10 cm) (1 replication). Then drench 2.0% Helio Fast Ruby 4B 10 and cover with film. 5.0% Baykanol SL After 14, 21, 28 and 35 days, leaf material is excised from 4.0% Ultrasil VN3 powder 40 the plants for test purposes and placed into prepared Petri 1.5% Emulgator 1000 TRU, ground dishes (Greiner, Ø 9 cm). The dishes had previously been numbered and provided with a moistened (1.3 ml of water) 0.8% Baysilone-Entschaumer E VM 30 filter paper disc (S+S round filter; Ø8 cm; Ref.-No. 330 035) 84.7%. Kaolin W (1 replication). Procedure: 1 g of a 20% strength WS formulation is to be 45 Then, 6 Spodoptera larvae (L2 instar) are counted into the prepared. Petri dishes containing the maize leaves. Into agate mortars Ø 6.5 cm weigh 200 mg of active 5-6 days after infection, the efficacy in % is determined compound, add a suitable solvent (ACETONE), depending in each case with reference to the control and the feeding on the physical State of the material, dissolve and dry profile. together with 800 mg of Zero-formulation. After approx. 1-2 50 Location temperature: 20 C. minutes, grind the product in a mortar until completely dry Spinosad Showed a good insecticidal action under the and package in product bottles. abovementioned conditions. Example 2 Example 4 Limit Concentration/Soil-acting Insecticides 55 Duration of Action/Root-systemic Test insect: Diabrotica balteata Test insect: Phaedon cochieariae (larvae) Test plant: Zea mayS (grain maize) Test plant: Brassica oleracea (cabbage) Dose: Dose: 4 g of ai/kg->200 mg (20% strength WS/10 g of seed) 60 2.0 g of ai/kg->20 mg (20% strength WS/2 g of seed) 2 g of ai/kg->100 mg (20% strength WS/10 g of seed) 1.0 g of ai/kg->10 mg (20% strength WS/2 g of seed) 1 g of ai/kg->50 mg (20% strength WS/10 g of seed) 0.5g of ai/kg->5 mg (20% strength WS/2 g of seed) Method: Weigh the particular amount of WS formulation Method: Weigh the particular amount of WS formulation stated into numbered round pots (Type 41, 90 ml) and stated into numbered round pots (Type 41, 90 ml) and disperse with 200, 100 or 80 ul of water. Add 10 g of maize 65 disperse with 80 ul of water. Add 2 g of cabbage seed. Treat Seed. Treat the maize for approx. 1-2 min. On a test-tube the cabbage Seed for approx. 1-2 min. On a test-tube shaker Shaker at Setting 7 with the aid of a disposable Spatula. at Setting 7 with the aid of a disposable Spatula. US 6,583,088 B1 13 14 The cabbage is sown into numbered round pots (Q) 11 cm) Experimental Set-up: filled with BI soil. Create a seed furrow and place approx. 6 The plastic pots are filled with BI soil. The appropriate Seeds in the middle of the pot over approx. 3 cm, close the amount of active compound Solution is Subsequently pipet seed furrow, tamp down with a stamp (Ø 10 cm) (7 ted into the Soil. The active compound and the Soil are mixed replications). Then drench and cover with film. for 10 seconds in the Krefft mixer at the highest speed. The After the cabbage plants have emerged, drill-jig Sleeves Soil is then filled into the pots and 3 pregerminated maize (length 20 cm, 9) 5 cm) are placed on the pots, the upper plants are placed on the bottom. edge being treated with talc (approx. 2 cm). The pots are placed in the greenhouse at 20° C. and a Approx. 10 Phaedon larvae are counted into the drill-jig relative atmospheric humidity of 70%. When the maize sleeves at intervals of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, only 2 pots 1O plants have reached a height of approx. 5 cm, transparent being infected per week and concentration. plastic tubes are placed over the plants and pushed into the After 3–4 weeks in each case, the efficacy is determined Soil Surface. 1 week after the experiment has been set up, 7 in % with reference to the feeding profile. Spodoptera frugiperda larvae are introduced per pot. Location temperature: 20 C. Evaluation: Spinosad showed a good insecticidal action under the 15 7 days after infection in each case, the efficacy is deter abovementioned conditions. mined in % Abbott with reference to the control and the feeding profile. Example 5 Spinosad Showed a good insecticidal action under the abovementioned conditions. Duration of Action/Soil-dwelling Insects Test insect: Hylemyia antiqua Example 7 Test plant: Allium cepa (onion) Dose: Limit concentration-root-Systemic Action Against 2.0 g of ai/kg->20 mg (20% strength WS/2 g of seed) Plutella Xylostella NS 1.0 g of ai/kg->10 mg (20% strength WS/2 g of seed) 25 Material and technical data: 0.5g of ai/kg->5 mg (20% strength WS/2 g of seed) Plastic pots (250 ml) Method: Weigh the particular amount of WS formulation BI-Soil comprising approx. 12% moisture stated into numbered round pots (Type 41, 90 ml) and Krefft mixer disperse with 80 ul of water. Add 2 g of onion seed. Treat the Savoy cabbage plants, approx. 3 weeks old onion Seed for approx. 1-2 min. on a test-tube shaker at Setting 7 with the aid of a disposable spatula. Plutella xylostella NS larvae (instar 2-3) The onions are sown into numbered round pots (Q) 11 cm) 2 replications filled with BI soil. Create a seed furrow and place approx. 30 Objective: Seeds therein, tamp down and close the Seed furrow, (3 To determine the limit concentration of test preparations replications). Then drench and cover with film. 35 in Soil. After 3 and 5 weeks, the onion plants are infected at their Method: base with Hylemyia eggs, using a hollow spatula (loosen Soil Preparation of the laboratory formulation: surface beforehand). The amount of active compound which corresponds to the 10 days layer in each case, the efficacy in % is determined. application rate is dissolved in 5 ml of acetone--Emulgator 40 PS16 (4:1) and diluted with water to a 0.2% strength stock The efficacy is 100% when no plant has been destroyed. Solution. Location temperature: 20 C. Experimental Set-up: Spinosad showed a good insecticidal action under the The plastic pots are filled with BI soil. The appropriate abovementioned conditions. amount of active compound Solution is Subsequently pipet Example 6 45 ted into the Soil. The active compound and the Soil are mixed for 10 seconds in the Krefft mixer at the highest speed. The Limit Concentration-Root-Systemic Action Soil is then filled into the pots, and cabbage plants are Against Spodoptera Frugiperda planted. Material and technical data: The pots are placed in the greenhouse at 20° C. and a 50 relative atmospheric humidity of 70%. One week after the Plastic pots (250 ml) experiment has been Set up, the test plants are infected with BI-Soil comprising approx. 12% moisture Plutella xylostella larvae. To this end, 10 larvae are intro Krefft mixer duced into animal cages and clipped onto a young leaf. pregerminated maize (approx. age 3 days) Evaluation: transparent plastic tubes, diameter 5 cm/height 50 cm 55 3 days after infection in each case, the efficacy is deter mined in % Abbott with reference to the control and to the Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae (L2-3 instar) feeding profile. 2 replications Spinosad Showed a good insecticidal action under the Objective: abovementioned conditions. To determine the limit concentration of test preparations 60 in Soil. Example 8 Method: Preparation of the laboratory formulation: Limit Concentration-Root-Systemic Action The amount of active compound which corresponds to the Against Phaedon Cochleariae Larvae Material and technical data: application rate is dissolved in 5 ml of acetone--Emulgator 65 PS 16 (4:1) and diluted with water to a 0.2% strength stock Plastic pots (250 ml) Solution. BI-Soil comprising approx. 12% moisture US 6,583,088 B1 15 16 Krefft mixer chrysorrhoea, Lymantria spp., Bucculatrix thurberiella, Savoy cabbage plants, approx. 3 weeks old Phyllocnistis citrella, Earias insulana, Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Prodenia litura, Trichoplusia ni, Carpoc Phaedon cochleariae larvae (instar 2-3) apSa pomonella, Pieris spp., Pyrau Sta nubilalis, CaCOecia 2 replications pOdana, Capua reticulana, Choristoneura funiferana, Cly Objective: Sia ambiguella, Homona magnanima, Tortrix viridana, To determine the limit concentration of test preparations Phaedon cochleariae, Psylliodes chrysocephala, Epilachna in Soil. varivestis, Antho nomus spp., COSmopoliteS SOrdidus, Method: Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera postica, Melligethes Preparation of the laboratory formulation: aeneus, Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Oscinella frit, The amount of active compound which corresponds to the Pegomyia hyOScyami, Ceratitis capitata, Dacus Oleae, BryO application rate is dissolved in 5 ml of acetone--Emulgator bia praetiosa, and Panonychus spp., Said method comprising PS16 (4:1) and diluted with water to a 0.2% strength stock Solution. exposing the root of the plant to one or more Spinosyns. Experimental Set-up: 2. A method for protecting a developing plant from at least 15 one pest which attacks the plant, Said at least one pest The plastic pots are filled with BI soil. The appropriate Selected from the group consisting of Melanoplus amount of active compound Solution is Subsequently pipet differentialis, Schistocerca gregaria, Forficula auricularia, ted into the Soil. The active compound and the Soil are mixed Reticulitermes spp. Phylloxera vaStatrix, Pemphigus spp., for 10 seconds in the Krefft mixer at the highest speed. The Trichodectes spp., Damaline a spp., Frankliniella Soil is then filled into the pots, and cabbage plants are Occidentalis, Hercinothrips femoralis, Thrips palmi, Thrips planted. tabaci, Eurygaster spp., Dysdercus intermedius, PieSma The pots are placed in the greenhouse at 20° C. and a quadrata, Rhodnius prolixus, Triatoma spp., Aleurodes relative atmospheric humidity of 70%. One week after the brassicae, Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, experiment has been Set up, the test plants are infected with Aphis gossypii, Brevicoryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Phaedon cochleariae larvae. To this end, 10 larvae are 25 Aphis fabae, ErioSoma lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis, introduced into animal cages and clipped onto a young leaf. Macrosiphum avenae, Myzus spp., Phorodon humuli, Rho Evaluation: paloSiphum padi, Empoasca spp., EuScelis bilobatus, Leca 3 days after infection in each case, the efficacy is deter nium corni, Saissetia Oleae, Laodelphax Striatellus, A.Onidi mined in % Abbott with reference to the control and to the ella aurantii, Aspidiotus hederae, Pseudococcus spp., Psylla feeding profile. spp., Pectinophora goSSypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheima Spinosad showed a good insecticidal action under the tobia brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta abovementioned conditions. padella, Plutella maculipennis, MalacoSoma neuStria, What is claimed is: Euproctis chrySorrhoea, Lymantria spp., Bucculatrix 1. A method for combating at least one pest which attacks thurberiella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Earias insulana, a plant, Said at least one pest Selected from the group 35 Mamestra brassicae, Panolis flammea, Prodenia litura, Tri consisting of Melanoplus differentialls, Schistocerca choplusia ni, CarpOcapsa pomonella, Pieris spp., PyrauSta gregaria, Forficula auricularia, Reticulitermes spp., Phyl nubilalis, Cacoecia podiana, Capua reticulana, Choristo loxera vaStatrix, Pemphigus spp., Trichodectes spp., Dama neura filmiferana, Clysia ambiguella, Homona magnanima, linea spp.,..., Frankliniella Occidentalis, Hercinothrips Tortrix viridana, Phaedon cochleariae, Psylliodes femoralis, Thrips palmi, Thrips tabaci, Eurygaster spp., 40 chrySOcephala, Epilachna varivestis, Antho nomus spp., Dysdercus intermedius, Piesma quadrata, Rhodnius Cosmopolites Sordidus, Ceuthorrhynchus assimilis, Hypera prolixus, Triatoma spp., Aleurodes brassicae, Bemisia pOStica, Melligethes aeneus, Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aphis gossypii, Brevi Oscinelia frit, Pegomyia hyOScyami, Ceratitis capitata, coryne brassicae, Cryptomyzus ribis, Aphis fabae, Eriosoma Dacus Oleae, Bryobia praetiosa, and Panonychus spp., Said lanigerum, Hyalopterus arundinis, MacroSiphum avenae, 45 method comprising treating the root of the developing Seed My Zus spp., Phorodon humuli, RhopaloSiphum padi, of Said plant with one or more Spinosyns. Empoasca spp., EuScelis bilobatus, Lecanium corni, Sais 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plant is Setia Oleae, Laodelphax Striatellus, A.Onidiella aurantii, Selected from the group consisting of maize, cereal, rice, Aspidiotus hederae, PseudococcuS spp., Psylla spp., Pecti Seed potato, cotton, oilseed rape, Sunflower and vegetable nophora gossypiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cheimatobia 50 Seed. brumata, Lithocolletis blancardella, Hyponomeuta padella, Plutella maculipennis, Malacosoma neustria, Euproctis