Field of invention
The present invention relates to the field of pesticides. The present invention in particular relates to a synergistic, broad spectrum insecticidal composition comprising Lambda cyhalothrin, Lufenuron and Kojic acid. The present invention further relates to the process of preparation of said composition and uses thereof.
Background of the invention
Protection of crops and its produce from insect pest damage is essential for enhancement of agriculture produce. Even with the availability of alternative types of pest control, chemical control remains an important tool for the prevention and control of pests in agriculture, especially insect pests. Insecticides of varied types and structural groups have been reported in literature and a large number are in commercial use. However, judicious use of such chemical pesticides is absolutely needed to protect the environment and natural ecosystems. In this regard, application of insecticidal combinations has emerged as an attractive approach to ensure that the chemical load in the environment is reduced. However, not all chemical insecticidal actives are compatible with each other, and therefore requires a great amount of experimentation and effort to develop an efficacious pesticidal combination, which is stable and effective in controlling the insect pests in economically important agricultural crops.
For instance, CN104430600 A discloses a pesticidal composition and preparation method. The insecticidal composition is composed of lambda- cyhalothrin 1-25, wild pepper extract 1-90, wetting agent and dispersing agent 1¬15, emulsifier 1-20, antifreeze 0-5, thickener 0.1-1, defoamer 0.1-1, antimicrobial agent 0.1-5 weight parts, and proper amount of pH modifier.
CN102986720 A discloses an imidacloprid and high efficiency cyhalothrin insecticidal composition, which comprises the following raw materials by weight: 6.5-9.5% of imidacloprid, 1.5-3.5% of high efficiency cyhalothrin, 6-8% of sodium lignosulfonate, 1-3% of butyl naphthalene sulfonate, 3-6% of epoxidized soybean oil, 9-13% of film-forming agent and the balance of kaolin. The insecticidal composition combines two insecticidal active substances to generate good synergy effect and solve the disadvantage of low drug effect of single component while killing insects.
There is therefore a continued need to develop insecticidal compositions that provide multiple advantages including to enable increase in the crop yields, to provide a composition with high synergistic action, to provide a combination where the dosage of the active ingredients is reduced as compared to the individual recommended dosage, to avoid excess loading of the toxicant to the environment and to negligibly impact environmental safety. The present invention aims to provide such an insecticidal composition with aforesaid advantageous features. More importantly, the present invention aims at providing a composition wherein the insecticidal activity of the insecticidal composition is considerably higher than the sum of the activities of the individual active compounds and that results into good enhancement in crop yield.
Objects of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel, stable, synergistic, insecticidal composition comprising Lambda cyhalothrin, Lufenuron and kojic acid as its ingredients.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an insecticidal composition comprising Lambda cyhalothrin and Lufenuron as insecticidal active ingredients and kojic acid as a synergist.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insecticidal composition with enhanced bioefficacy at reduced dosage as compared to individual insecticides when used in isolation.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insecticidal composition that results in good enhancement in crop yield.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insecticidal composition that is environmentally safe and non-phytotoxic.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insecticidal composition that has broad spectrum activity and can be used in a wide variety of agricultural crops.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a novel, stable, synergistic, environmentally safe, broad spectrum, cost effective insecticidal composition comprising Lambda cyhalothrin as the first active ingredient, Lufenuron as the second active ingredient and kojic acid as a synergist.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a novel, stable, synergistic, environment friendly, broad spectrum, cost effective insecticidal composition that is effective in controlling arthropod pests in Chilli crop, particularly Spodoptera litura and Scirtothrips dorsalis.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a stable formulation comprising said insecticidal composition. In a preferred aspect, said insecticidal composition is formulated as a suspension concentrate.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparing said insecticidal composition.
Detailed description of the invention
Those skilled in the art will be aware that the invention described herein is subject to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention described herein includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all such steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.
Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of the ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. For further guidance, term definitions may be included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.
As used herein, the term “plant” refers to any plant or part thereof including serial and subterranean parts of the plant. It is contemplated that the parts of the plant may be for example, flowers, fruits or vegetables, shoots, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruiting bodies, seeds also roots and that parts of the plants may or may not be attached to the remainder of the plant.
The term “locus” of a plant as used herein is intended to embrace the place on which the plants are growing, where the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or where the plant propagation materials of the plants will be placed into the soil.
The term “plant propagation material” is understood to denote generative parts of a plant, such as seeds, vegetative material such as cuttings or tubers, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes and parts of plants, germinated plants and young plants which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from the soil. These young plants may be protected before transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components or groups thereof.
The term "insects" as used herein, includes all organisms in the class "Insecta."
The term "Insecticidal" as used herein, refers to the ability of a pesticide to increase mortality or inhibit growth rate of insects.
The terms “weight percent”, “wt-%”, “percent by weight”, “% by weight” and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It is understood that, as used here, “percent “, “%” and the like are intended to be synonymous with “weight percent”, “wt. %”, etc.
The term “synergist” as used herein refers to a material which enhances the activity of other materials such as insecticides so that the overall activity of the composition is greater than the sum of the individual ingredients.
Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.
Lambda cyhalothrin ([(R)-cyano-(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl] 3-[(Z)-2- chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-enyl]-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylate) belongs to the pyrethroid chemical class of pesticides. It is a non-systemic insecticide with contact and stomach action and repellant properties. It gives rapid knockdown and long residual activity. It is very useful for control and management of aphids, Colorado beetles, thrips, lepidoptera larvae, coleoptera larvae and adults, etc. in cereals, hops, ornamentals, potatoes, vegetables, cotton and other crops. It acts on the nervous system of insects and disturbs the function of neurons by interaction with the sodium channels.
Lufenuron1-[2,5-Dichloro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-3- (2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea is a benzoylurea pesticide which inhibits the production of chitin in insects. Without chitin, a larval flea will never develop a hard outer shell (exoskeleton). With its inner organs exposed to air, the insect dies from dehydration soon after hatching or molting. It acts mostly by ingestion, also acts transovarially, reducing fecundity and egg hatch. It is mainly useful for control of lepidoptera and coleoptera larvae, rust mites and western flower thrips in cotton, maize and vegetables. It is chemically not compatible with pesticides with alkaline reaction (lime sulfur, copper).
Kojic acid is a fungal metabolite commonly produced by many species of Aspergillus, Acetobacter, and Penicillium, especially by A. oryzae, which has the Japanese common name koji. This acid is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice, for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. Kojic acid was first isolated in 1907 by Saito from mycelia of A. oryzae grown on steamed rice. In 1912 Yabuta gave it the name kojic acid, and only in 1924 he deciphered the correct structure of the molecule of this acid.
In the present invention, Kojic acid is used as an ingredient of the insecticidal composition wherein it acts as a synergist for the insecticidal actives of the composition. The bioefficacy of the composition of the present invention is enhanced when kojic acid is used in conjunction with the active ingredient combination of Lambda cyhalothrin and Lufenuron.
Embodiments of the present invention provide insecticidal combination and composition comprising said combination that possess an enhanced efficacy over the individual active ingredient compounds, when used in isolation.
Kojic acid used in the present invention has been obtained from a foreign commercial source HANGZHOU LINGEBA TECHNOLOGY CO.LTD (Email: info@lingeba.com), Address: Qingshan Industrial Park,Hangzhou City,Zhejiang Province,China.
The present invention thus provides an insecticidal composition comprising a) Lambda cyhalothrin as the first active ingredient b) Lufenuron as the second active ingredient and c) Kojic acid, as a synergist wherein Lambda cyhalothrin is present in an amount ranging from 5-20% w/w, Lufenuron is present in an amount ranging from 4-12% w/w and Kojic acid is present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 4% the insecticidal composition.
In a preferred embodiment, Lambda cyhalothrin is present in an amount 10%w/w, Lufenuron is present in an amount of 12%w/w and Kojic acid is present in an amount of 1.1% w/w of the insecticidal composition.
In an embodiment, the insecticidal composition of the present invention comprising the said actives exhibits synergistic effect in control of insects in agricultural crops, particularly arthropod insects in Chilli crop, particularly
Spodoptera litura and Scirtothrips dorsalis.
In an embodiment, the insecticidal composition of the present invention may be applied to a variety of agricultural crops like brinjal, cole crops, cucurbits, cotton, tea, ornamentals, horticultural crops and oil seed crops.
In an embodiment, the insecticidal composition of the present invention may be used to control insect pests of the order Thysanoptera and Lepidoptera.
In an embodiment, the insecticidal composition of the present invention further comprises at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient. In an embodiment, the at least one excipient is selected from the group consisting of at least a dispersing agent, at least a wetting agent, at least a defoamer, at least a biocide, at least a binder, at least a thickener and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the insecticidal composition of the present invention is formulated as a suspension concentrate.
In a more preferred embodiment, the insecticidal composition of the present invention is formulated in the form of a suspension concentrate comprising a wetting agent, a dispersing agent, a defoaming agent, a biocide, an anti-freeze agent and a thickener.
In an embodiment, the at least a dispersing agent is selected from the group comprising sodium lignosulphonates, sodium naphthalene sulphonate¬formaldehyde condensates, aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylates and esters, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers. In a preferred embodiment, the at least a dispersing agent is sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate. The at least a dispersing agent weight concentration in said Insecticidal composition is in the range of 3-8%w/w
In an embodiment, the at least a wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of blend of alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt, sodium laurel sulphate, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the at least a wetting agent is sodium laurel sulphate. The at least a wetting agent weight concentration in said Insecticidal composition is in the range of 1-5% w/w.
In an embodiment, the at least a defoamer is selected from the group consisting of silicone emulsions, long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, organic fluorine compounds, and combinations thereof. The at least an anti-foaming agent weight concentration in said Insecticidal composition is in the range of 0.2- 1%w/w.
In an embodiment, the at least an anti-freezing agent is selected from the group comprising monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene alcohols, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, epichlorohydrin, urea, glycerol, sorbitol or a mixture thereof. In a preferred embodiment the antifreeze agent is propylene glycol. In an embodiment, the anti-freeze agent is present in an amount ranging from 5-10%w/w.
In an embodiment, the biocide is selected from the group comprising Clavulanic acid, Avibactum, stigmasterol and formaldehyde. In a preferred embodiment, the antibacterial agent is formaldehyde. In an embodiment, the anti-bacterial is present in an amount ranging from 0.10-0.5%w/w.
In an embodiment, the thickener is selected from the group comprising polyacrylamide, polyethylene polymers, polysaccharides (long-chain 15 sugars), or vegetable oils and xanthum gum. In a preferred embodiment, the thickening agent is Xanthan gum. In an embodiment, the thickener is present in an amount ranging from 0.05-0.20% w/w of the composition.
In an embodiment, the insecticidal composition is formulated in a form selected from the group comprising water-soluble concentrates (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), micro-emulsions (ME), Suspension concentrates (SC), oil-based suspension concentrates (OD), flowable suspensions (FS), water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), wettable powders (WP), water soluble powders (SP), granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG), dry flowables (DF), aqueous Suspo-emulsions (SE), capsule suspensions (CS) and microgranules (MG). In a preferred embodiment, the Insecticidal composition is in the form of suspension concentrates (SC), water-dispersible granule (WDG) and wettable powder (WP).
In a preferred embodiment, the Insecticidal composition of the present invention is formulated as a suspension concentrate.
Examples
The examples below are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Example 1: Preparation of Insecticidal composition as Suspension concentrate (SC)
In an embodiment, the chemical composition of the present insecticidal composition coded as CI 1012 SC is depicted below in Table 1 (a) below:
Table 1 (a): Composition of the Insecticidal composition (CI 1012SC)
S.no. Ingredient Percent range
1. Lambda Cyhalothrin technical. 5-20%
2. Lufenuron technical. 4-12%
3. Kojic Acid technical 0.1-4%
4. PPG (Antifreeze) 5-10 %
5. AVS-7PN (Dispersing agent) 3-5 %
6. AVS-790 (Wetting cum dispersing agent) 2-4 %
7. Biocide (formaldehyde) 0.1-0.5%
8. Defoamer SAG-1572 0.20-1.0%
9. Xanthan Gum (thickener) 0.05-2%
10. DM water (Demineralised water) Q.S. to 100
In a preferred embodiment, the chemical composition of the present insecticidal composition is depicted below in Table 1(b)
Table 1 (b): Preferred composition of the Insecticidal composition (CI 1012SC)
S.no. Ingredient Percentage %w/w
1. Lambda Cyhalothrin technical. 10.55
2. Lufenuron technical. 12.40
3. Kojic Acid technical 01.12
4. PPG (Antifreeze) 07.00
5. AVS-7PN (Dispersing agent) 03.00
6. AVS-790 (Wetting cum dispersing agent) 02.00
7. Biocide (formaldehyde) 00.20
8. Defoamer SAG-1572 00.50
9. Xanthan Gum (thickener) 0.25
10. DM water 62.98
11. Total 100.0

Preparation method of suspension concentrate:
Step-1
The dispersing agent and wetting agent were diluted in D.M water and mixed with high shear mixer. After mixing, the anti- freezing agent was added in the desired amount, followed by addition of deformer and Lambda Cyhalothrin technical. The ingredients were mixed properly to make a homogeneous mixture after which Lufenuron technical was added with continuous mixing to obtain a homogeneous mass.
Step-2
The homogeneous mass obtained above was wet grinded in Dyno mill until a mean particle size below 5 microns was obtained.
Step-3
After the wet grinding, 2% aqueous solution of 0.25 % Xanthan gum was added along with 0.2 percent biocide solution under low stirring to obtain a homogeneous product with desired viscosity.
Step-4
The quality parameters were analyzed, and quality check was run. If the product passed, then the material was transferred to storage vessel for further packing as per the requirement.
Table 1(c): Quality parameters of SC formulation
Parameter Desired quality
Description/ physical
appearance Material shall be in the form of free- flowing suspension
Pourability Residue shall not be more than 5% w/w
Spontaneity of dispersion Shall not be less than 50% w/w
Wet sieve test 98% min (passes through 45 microns sieve)
Persistence of foam Not more than 60ml in 1 min
Suspensibility not less than 90% w/w
pH of 1% aq. Solution 5.0- 8.0
Heat stability test Take 100ml sample & keep it in 54°C±2 for 14 days check for all parameters listed above thereafter
Cold stability test Take 100ml sample & keep it in 5°C±2 for 7 days, check for all parameters listed above thereafter

Example 2: Field evaluation of the bio efficacy of the present Insecticidal composition
The presently disclosed insecticidal trimix (coded as CI-1012 SC) was tested for its bioefficacy against Spodoptera litura and Scirtothrips dorsalis on Chili crop. The plants were aligned in a plot size of 50 sq. meter, with the spacing of 10 cm between individual crop plants and a spacing of 10 cm between the rows. The trial was carried out in a local variety of Chilli in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The trial was laid out in a random block design consisting of a total of 19 treatments in three replications. It was conducted at a temp. of 30°C under 70% relative humidity, no winds and under optimum soil moisture conditions. The application of the Insecticidal trimix was foliar (over the top).
Measured quantity of the chemical was added to required volume of water @ 375 lit. /ha for spray. The spray tank was filled with % the quantity of clean required volume of water and then the measured chemical (according to the dose) was added followed by the rest half quantity of water. The solution was stirred well before application and through coverage was ensured.
Table 2 below provides the treatment details in Chilli crop. For purposes of convenience, the present composition has been represented by the code “CI- 1012 SC”.
S.no. Treatment details Dose (gm) a.i. /ha Dose (gm)/ha
1 Untreated - -
2 CI-8108 SC 16 + 20 + 1.6 200
3 CI-8108 SC 18 + 22.5 + 1.8 225
4 CI-8108 SC 20 + 25 + 2.0 250
5 CI-8108 SC 24 + 30 + 2.4 300
6 CI-1012 SC 20 + 24 + 2.2 200
7 CI-1012 SC 22.5 + 27 + 2.48 225
8 CI-1012 SC 25 + 30 + 2.75 250
9 CI-1012 SC 30 + 36 + 3.3 300
10 CI-112 SC 20 + 24 200
11 CI-112 SC 22.5 + 27 225
12 CI-112 SC 25 + 30 250
13 CI-112 SC 30 + 36 300
14 CI-1214 SC 24 + 28 + 3.0 200
15 CI-1214 SC 27 + 31.5 + 3.38 225
16 CI-1214 SC 30 + 35 + 3.75 250
17 CI-1214 SC 36 + 42 + 4.5 300
18 Lambda cyhalothrin 4.90 CS 25 500
19 Lufenuron 5.4 EC (CRYSTAL) 30 600
Note: Sample-1 Lambda cyhalothrin 8 % + Lufenuron 10 % + kojic acid 0.8 % SC (CI-8108 SC)
Sample-2 Lambda cyhalothrin 10 % + Lufenuron 12 % + kojic acid 1.1 % SC (CI-1012 SC)
Sample-3 Lambda cyhalothrin 10 % + Lufenuron 12 % SC (CI-112 SC)
Sample-4 Lambda cyhalothrin 12 % + Lufenuron 14 % + kojic acid 1.5 % SC (CI-1214 SC)
EVALUATION OF BIO-EFFICACY IN CHILLI CROP
For Spodoptera litura and Scirtothrips dorsalis
Spodoptera litura: the no. of live insects were counted from 10 tagged plants before application (pre-count) at 1DAA, 3DAA, 5DAA and 10 DAA and at 5 days interval thereafter till re-infestation.
Scirtothrips dorsalis: no. of live adult and nymphs were counted from 30 leaves of tagged 10 plants at various days interval.
Percent control of live population was calculated based on no. of live sucking pest and Spodoptera litura population. Formula given below:
Percent Insect control = C - T
x 100
C
Where IC = No. of live Spodoptera litura/thrips population in control plot WT = No. of live Spodoptera litura/thrips population in treated plot
Table 3a-b: Bio efficacy of various mixtures of Lambda cyhalothrin + Lufenuron on Chilli (Spodoptera litura)
Table 3a
S.no. Treatment details Dose (gm) a.i. /ha Dose (gm)/ha 1 DAA % Control 3 DAA % Contro
1 Untreated 12 12
2 CI-8108 SC 16 + 20 + 1.6 200 6 50.00 5 58.33
3 CI-8108 SC 18 + 22.5 + 1.8 225 5 58.33 4 66.67
4 CI-8108 SC 20 + 25 + 2.0 250 4 66.67 4 66.67
5 CI-8108 SC 24 + 30 + 2.4 300 4 66.67 3 75.00
6 CI-1012 SC 20 + 24 + 2.2 200 4 66.67 3 75.00
7 CI-1012 SC 22.5 + 27 + 2.48 225 1 91.67 0 100.00
 
8 CI-1012 SC 25 + 30 + 2.75 250 1 91.67 0 100.00
9 CI-1012 SC 30 + 36 + 3.3 300 1 91.67 0 100.00
10 CI-112 SC 20 + 24 200 5 58.33 5 58.33
11 CI-112 SC 22.5 + 27 225 3 75.00 3 75.00
12 CI-112 SC 25 + 30 250 2 83.33 2 83.33
13 CI-112 SC 30 + 36 300 2 83.33 2 83.33
14 CI-1214 SC 24 + 28 + 3.0 200 3 75.00 2 83.33
15 CI-1214 SC 27 + 31.5 + 3.38 225 1 91.67 1 91.67
16 CI-1214 SC 30 + 35 + 3.75 250 1 91.67 0 100.00
17 CI-1214 SC 36 + 42 + 4.5 300 1 91.67 0 100.00
18 Lambda cyhalothrin 4.90 CS 25 500 5 58.33 4 66.67
19 Lufenuron 5.4 EC (CRYSTAL) 30 600 4 66.67 3 75.00

Table 3b
S.no. Treatment details Dose (gm) a.i. /ha Dose (gm)/ha 5 DAA %
Control 10 DAA %
Control 15 DAA Co
1 Untreated 14 13 13
2 CI-8108 SC 16 + 20 + 1.6 200 5 64.29 5 61.54 7 4
3 CI-8108 SC 18 + 22.5 + 1.8 225 4 71.43 4 69.23 5 6
4 CI-8108 SC 20 + 25 + 2.0 250 4 71.43 4 69.23 5 6
5 CI-8108 SC 24 + 30 + 2.4 300 3 78.57 3 76.92 4 6
6 CI-1012 SC 20 + 24 + 2.2 200 3 78.57 3 76.92 4 6
7 CI-1012 SC 22.5 + 27 + 2.48 225 0 100.00 0 100.00 1 9
8 CI-1012 SC 25 + 30 + 2.75 250 0 100.00 0 100.00 1 9
9 CI-1012 SC 30 + 36 + 3.3 300 0 100.00 0 100.00 1 9
10 CI-112 SC 20 + 24 200 5 64.29 5 61.54 6 5
11 CI-112 SC 22.5 + 27 225 3 78.57 3 76.92 4 6
12 CI-112 SC 25 + 30 250 2 85.71 2 84.62 3 7
13 CI-112 SC 30 + 36 300 2 85.71 2 84.62 3 7
14 CI-1214 SC 24 + 28 + 3.0 200 2 85.71 2 84.62 4 6
15 CI-1214 SC 27 + 31.5 + 3.38 225 1 92.86 1 92.31 3 7
16 CI-1214 SC 30 + 35 + 3.75 250 0 100.00 0 100.00 2 8
17 CI-1214 SC 36 + 42 + 4.5 300 0 100.00 0 100.00 1 9
18 Lambda cyhalothrin 4.90 CS 25 500 4 71.43 4 69.23 5 6
19 Lufenuron 5.4 EC (CRYSTAL) 30 600 3 78.57 3 76.92 4 6
 
Table 4a-b: Bio efficacy of various mixtures of Lambda cyhalothrin + Lufenuron on Chilli (Scirtothrips dorsalis)
Table 4a
S.no. Treatment details Dose (gm) a.i. /ha Dose (gm)/ha 1 DAA % Control 3 DAA % Contr
1 Untreated 30.5 35
2 CI-8108 SC 16 + 20 + 1.6 200 16.6 45.57 16.6 52.57
3 CI-8108 SC 18 + 22.5 + 1.8 225 14.5 52.46 14.5 58.57
4 CI-8108 SC 20 + 25 + 2.0 250 14 54.10 14 60.00
5 CI-8108 SC 24 + 30 + 2.4 300 13.2 56.72 13.2 62.29
6 CI-1012 SC 20 + 24 + 2.2 200 14.3 53.11 14.3 59.14
7 CI-1012 SC 22.5 + 27 + 2.48 225 7.7 74.75 7.5 78.57
8 CI-1012 SC 25 + 30 + 2.75 250 6.5 78.69 6.2 82.29
9 CI-1012 SC 30 + 36 + 3.3 300 6.5 78.69 6.5 81.43
10 CI-112 SC 20 + 24 200 12.5 59.02 12.5 64.29
11 CI-112 SC 22.5 + 27 225 9.5 68.85 9.5 72.86
12 CI-112 SC 25 + 30 250 9.2 69.84 9.2 73.71
13 CI-112 SC 30 + 36 300 8.5 72.13 8.5 75.71
14 CI-1214 SC 24 + 28 + 3.0 200 9.5 68.85 9.5 72.86
15 CI-1214 SC 27 + 31.5 + 3.38 225 7.7 74.75 7.7 78.00
16 CI-1214 SC 30 + 35 + 3.75 250 7.5 75.41 7.5 78.57
17 CI-1214 SC 36 + 42 + 4.5 300 7.2 76.39 7.2 79.43
18 Lambda cyhalothrin 4.90 CS 25 500 11 63.93 11 68.57
19 Lufenuron 5.4 EC (CRYSTAL) 30 600 14 54.10 14 60.00

Table 4b
S.no. Treatment details Dose (gm) a.i. /ha Dose (gm)/ha 5 DAA %
Control 10 DAA %
Control 15 DAA C
1 Untreated 35 40 45.5
2 CI-8108 SC 16 + 20 +
1.6 200 14.5 58.57 15 62.50 18
3 CI-8108 SC 18 + 22.5 +
1.8 225 12.5 64.29 13 67.50 16
4 CI-8108 SC 20 + 25 +
2.0 250 13 62.86 12.5 68.75 15
5 CI-8108 SC 24 + 30 +
2.4 300 12 65.71 11.5 71.25 14
 
S.no. Treatment details Dose (gm) a.i. /ha Dose (gm)/ha 5 DAA %
Control 10 DAA %
Control 15 DAA C
6 CI-1012 SC 20 + 24 +
2.2 200 13 62.86 10 75.00 11
7 CI-1012 SC 22.5 + 27 +
2.48 225 6 82.86 5.5 86.25 7
8 CI-1012 SC 25 + 30 +
2.75 250 5.5 84.29 4.5 88.75 7.1
9 CI-1012 SC 30 + 36 +
3.3 300 5.2 85.14 4 90.00 7.2
10 CI-112 SC 20 + 24 200 10 71.43 10.5 73.75 14
11 CI-112 SC 22.5 + 27 225 9.8 72.00 10 75.00 13
12 CI-112 SC 25 + 30 250 9.5 72.86 9 77.50 12.5
13 CI-112 SC 30 + 36 300 8.2 76.57 8.8 78.00 10.5
14 CI-1214 SC 24 + 28 +
3.0 200 9 74.29 9.5 76.25 10.5
15 CI-1214 SC 27 + 31.5 +
3.38 225 7 80.00 7.5 81.25 8.5
16 CI-1214 SC 30 + 35 +
3.75 250 7.1 79.71 7.3 81.75 8.4
17 CI-1214 SC 36 + 42 +
4.5 300 7 80.00 7.2 82.00 8.2
18 Lambda cyhalothrin 4.90 CS 25 500 10 71.43 9 77.50 10
19 Lufenuron 5.4 EC (CRYSTAL) 30 600 12 65.71 11 72.50 14

Example 3: Evaluation of phytotoxicity of the present Insecticidal composition
Visual observations were recorded at 3, 7 and 10 days after application (DAA) of testing products. The parameters observed were leaf injury on tip/surface, necrosis, vein clearing, epinasty, hyponasty and wilting. For the rating on phytotoxicity the core Scale of 0 - 10 was followed for leaf injury on tips/surface.
Table 5: Phytotoxicity symptoms Scoring and rating for leaf injury on tip/surface
Leaf injury on tips/surface Rating
0% 0
1-10% 1
11-20% 2
21-30% 3
31-40% 4
Leaf injury on tips/surface Rating
41-50% 5
51-60% 6
61-70% 7
71-80% 8
81-90% 9
91-100% 10

Result and conclusion
As seen in Table 3, treatment # 11 (dosage of 22.5g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 27g a.i./ha lufenuron) results in 75-69.25% effective control of Spodoptera litura over 1-15 DAA. Treatment # 12 (dosage of 25g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 30g a.i./ha lufenuron) results in 83.33-76.92% effective control of Spodoptera litura over 1-15 DAA. In contrast, when kojic acid is added to each of the formulations in treatment # 11 and # 12, unexpectedly and surprisingly, the efficacy of the combination of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron is enhanced. As seen in treatment # 7 (dosage of 22.5g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 27g a.i./ha lufenuron + 2.48g a.i./ha kojic acid) results in 91.67-100% control of Spodoptera litura over 1-15 DAA. Similarly, treatment # 8 (dosage of 25g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 30g a.i./ha lufenuron + 2.75g a.i./ha kojic acid) results in 91.67¬100% control of Spodoptera litura over 1-15 DAA. These data clearly establish that kojic acid, which has no known insecticidal activity of its own, is able to enhance the efficacy of the combination of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron in a synergistic manner, which is unexpected and surprising. It can also be further appreciated from Table 3 that the synergism seen in treatment # 7 and # 8 is not a result of mere mixing of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron at any concentration along with koijc acid. At other concentrations of the combination of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron, the addition of kojic acid makes no difference to the efficacy, which further establishes the non-routine, non¬obviousness nature of the present invention.
Similarly, as seen in Table 4, treatment # 11 (dosage of 22.5g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 27g a.i./ha lufenuron) results in 68.85-75% effective control of Scirtothrips dorsalis over 1-15 DAA. Treatment # 12 (dosage of 25g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 30g a.i./ha lufenuron) results in 69.84-77.5% effective control of Scirtothrips dorsalis over 1-15 DAA. In contrast, when kojic acid is added to each of the formulations in treatment # 11 and # 12, unexpectedly and surprisingly, the efficacy of the combination of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron is enhanced. As seen in treatment # 7 (dosage of 22.5g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 27g a.i./ha lufenuron + 2.48g a.i./ha kojic acid) results in 74.75-86.25% control of Scirtothrips dorsalis over 1-15 DAA. Similarly, treatment # 8 (dosage of 25g a.i./ha lambda cyhalothrin + 30g a.i./ha lufenuron + 2.75g a.i./ha kojic acid) results in 78.69-88.75% control of Scirtothrips dorsalis over 1-15 DAA. These data clearly establish that kojic acid, which has no known insecticidal activity of its own, is able to enhance the efficacy of the combination of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron in a synergistic manner, which is unexpected and surprising. It can also be further appreciated from Table 4 that the synergism seen in treatment # 7 and # 8 is not a result of mere mixing of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron at any concentration along with kojic acid. At other concentrations of the combination of lambda cyhalothrin and lufenuron, the addition of kojic acid makes no difference to the efficacy, which further establishes the non-routine, non-obviousness nature of the present invention.
In furtherance to the synergism observed, the enhanced efficacy of the invention is not at the cost of phytotoxicity to the plant (Chili). While usually any enhancement in insecticide activity is associated with increase in phytotoxicity, these data clearly show that there is no associated enhancement in plant toxicity, which makes the invention particularly more useful and safer to use, and is a significant improvement over what is known in the art.

We Claim:
1. An insecticidal composition comprising:
a) Lambda cyhalothrin in an amount ranging from 5-20% w/w,
b) Lufenuron in an amount ranging from 4-12% w/w; and
c) Kojic acid in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 4%w/w.
2. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein Lambda cyhalothrin is present in an amount of 10% w/w, Lufenuron is present in an amount of 12 w/w and Kojic acid is present in an amount of 1.1 % w/w.
3. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient.
4. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insecticidal composition is formulated in a form selected from the group consisting of water-soluble concentrates (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), micro-emulsions (ME), Suspension concentrates (SC), oil-based suspension concentrates (OD), flowable suspensions (FS), water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), wettable powders (WP), water soluble powders (SP), dry flowables (DF), granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG), aqueous Suspo- emulsions (SE), capsule suspensions (CS), and microgranules (MG).
5. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein said insecticidal composition is formulated in the form of a suspension concentrate (SC).
6. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 3, comprising at least a dispersing agent; at least a wetting agent; at least an anti-freeze agent; at least a biocide; at least a defoamer; and at least a thickener.
7. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least a dispersing agent is present in an amount ranging from 3-5% w/w; said at least a wetting agent is present in an amount ranging from 2-4% w/w; said at least an anti-freeze agent is present in an amount ranging from 5-10% w/w; said at least a biocide is present in an amount ranging from 0.1-0.5% w/w; said at least a defoamer is present in an amount ranging from 0.2-1.0% w/w; and said at least a thickener is present in an amount ranging from 0.05-2% w/w.
8. The insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least a dispersing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium lignosulphonates, sodium naphthalene sulphonate- formaldehyde condensates, aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylates and esters, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers, and combinations thereof;
said at least a wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of blend of alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt, sodium laurel sulphate, and combinations thereof;
said at least an anti-freeze agent is selected from the group consisting of monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, ethylene alcohols, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, epichlorohydrin, urea, glycerol, sorbitol, and mixture thereof;
said at least a defoamer is selected from the group consisting of silicone emulsions, long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, organic fluorine compounds, and combinations thereof;
said at least thickener is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, polyethylene polymers, polysaccharides (long-chain 15 sugars), vegetable oils; xanthum gum, and combinations thereof; and said at least a biocide is selected from the group consisting of Clavulanic acid, Avibactum, stigmasterol, formaldehyde, and combinations thereof.
9. A method for controlling insects Spodoptera litura or Scirtothrips dorsalis population comprising contacting the insects with the insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 1.
10. A process for preparing a suspension concentrate (SC) formulation of the insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 1, said process comprising:
1) diluting dispersing agent and wetting agent in D.M water and mixing with high shear mixer;
2) adding anti-freeze agent in the desired amount followed by addition of defoamer and Lambda Cyhalothrin technical; and mixing to obtain a homogeneous mixture;
3) adding Lufenuron technical with continuous mixing to obtain a homogeneous mass;
4) wet grinding the homogenous mass obtained to obtain a mean particle size below 5 micron; and
5) adding 2% aqueous solution of 0.25 % Xanthan gum along with 0.2% biocide solution under stirring to obtain a homogeneous product with desired viscosity.
11. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein said dispersing agent is VS-7PN having weight concentration in the range of 3-wt%; wetting agent is AVS-790 having weight concentration in the range of 2-4wt%; defoamer is SAG-1572 having weight concentration in the range of 0.2-1wt%; biocide is formaldehyde having weight concentration in the range of 0.1-0.5wt%; anti¬freeze agent is PPG having weight concentration in the range of 5-10wt%; thickener is xanthan gum having weight concentration in the range o 0.05- 2wt%; lambda cyhalothrin technical weight concentration in the range of 5- 20wt% lufenuron technical weight concentration in the range of 4-12wt%; and kojic acid technical weight concentration in the range of 0.1-4wt%.