3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

FIELD OF INVENTION:

This invention relates to the development of a chemical formulation with knock down and insecticidal properties to control the home invading nuisance pest known as Mupli beetles thereof.

PRIOR ART

Massive home invasion ofLuprops tristis Fabricius 1801 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae; regionally known as "Mupli beetles, Ola chathan, Ola prani"), in the range of 0.5 to over 4 million per residential building with the onset of monsoon rains (Figure 1), nocturnal movements inside buildings, release of an odoriferous phenolic secretion that causes skin burns and inflammation to eyes and prolonged stay in a state of dormancy makes lives of people miserable in the rubber plantation belts for the past three decades (Sabu et al. 2008; Sabu and Vinod 2009; Dona et al. 2011). Home invasion and aggregation of huge masses of the beetles inside residential buildings during rainy seasons makes application of pesticides, a very serious health hazard. However, in the absence of any other control measures, and scientific studies on the efficacy of any pesticides that could be used inside residential buildings to eradicate the home invaded beetles, people resort to indiscriminate indoor application of a variety of organophosphate, pyrethriod and carbamate based insecticides ignoring all safety concerns (Sabu et al. 2008). Indoor application of pesticides during rainy season leads to their persistence in living rooms and to direct inhalation and eye irritation. Dreadful facts of chemical pesticides and the health hazards and need for a control measure demand for alternate method for control of the home invaded beetle. A new formulation using Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol which is biodegradable and environment friendly and safer for indoor application in residential buildings is developed.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION:

1. The primary objective of the invention is to propose a process for preparation of MUPLI KILL, a new formulation with insecticidal and insect knockdown property for the control of home invaded aggregated Mupli beetles.

2. Another objective of this invention is to propose a process for preparation of MUPLI KILL, a new formulation with insecticidal and insect knockdown property and a formulation thereof to overcome the disadvantages arising from the dangerous practice of indoor application of pesticides meant for outdoor use.

3. Further objective of this invention is to propose a process for preparation of MULPI KILL, a new formulation with insecticidal and insect knockdown property and a new formulation thereof, for knocking down and immobilizing Mupli beetles for specific period of time.

4. Further objective of this invention is to propose a process for preparation of MUPLI KILL, a new formulation with insecticidal and insect knockdown property and new formulation thereof, for knocking down and leading to the death of immobilized Mupli beetles after specific time period

5. Still further objective of this invention is to propose a process for preparation of MUPLI KILL, a new formulation with insecticidal and insect knockdown property and a new formulation thereof, which is not harmful to beneficial organisms and humans and could be applied indoor.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION:

According to this invention a process for preparation of MUPLIKILL, a new pesticide formulation for the control of home invaded aggregated beetles is developed steps involved in the preparation of the formulation are as follows:-

Taking 32.33% Kerosene + 1.00% Isoamyl acetate in a glass bottle and stirring using a stirrer at 120 rpm to form deodorized Kerosene.

Adding 66.67% Ethyl alcohol to deodorized Kerosene and mixing thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm to get the final Formulation consisting of 32.33% Kerosene (active ingredient), 66.67% Ethyl alcohol (solvent) and 1.00% Isoamyl acetate (deodorizer) and is named as MUPLIKILL (Figure 2).

• The formulation leads to complete knockdown of the Mupli beetles for a period of 6 days followed by mortality by 7th day.

• Indoor application of the formulation leads to no foul smell inside rooms.

• Applied area is not flammable after drying up of the formulation in about 20 minutes following the application

• Formulation was proved to be effective in the mass eradication of the Mupli beetles with hard exoskeleton and hence for the same reason it becomes effective for the control of other hard and soft bodied insects pests aggregated inside buildings.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the following details and plates.

DETAILS OF THE COMPONENTS INVOLVED:

Kerosene, Ethyl alcohol, Isoamyl acetate

Kerosene: The generic term "Kerosene" is used to describe the fraction of crude oil that boils approximately in the range of 302 to 554°F (150 to 290°C) and consists of hydrocarbons approximately in the range of C9-C16. Kerosene is available for purchase at the retail level for various domestic uses. Though Insecticidal properties of Kerosene are known its flammability, foul smell and dermal and oral toxicity on exposure makes it less desirable for indoor application. Flammability and foul smell of Kerosene is not of concern in the present case as only very low volume of the formulation with low Kerosene concentration in the form of a thin film is required for application. Mixing of the formulation with the defensive gland secretions released by the beetles on application and evaporation of ethyl alcohol in the mixture within 20-30 minutes reduces its flammability. Addition of the deodorizer solves the problem of foul smell. Kerosene exhibits a moderate to rapid rate of biodegradation and is inherently biodegradable. On repeated exposure, it leads to dermal and inhalation toxicity and eye irritation. Acute dermal toxicity: LD50 rabbit; Dose: 2,001 mg/kg

Ethyl alcohol: Also called Ethanol, (C2H6O), is pure alcohol which is a volatile, colorless liquid that has a slight odor. Ethanol is a versatile solvent, miscible with water and with many organic solvents .Pure ethanol will irritate the skin and eyes. Occupational exposure limits (8-hour reference period) 1000 ppm (1900 g/m3).

Isoamyl acetate: Also known as Isopentyl acetate (C7H14O2), is an organic compound that is the ester formed from Isoamyl alcohol and Acetic acid. It is a colorless liquid that is only slightly soluble in water, but very soluble in most organic solvents.

Isoamyl acetate has a strong odor similar to both banana and pear, and is a very popular additive for imparting a pleasant odor or taste to foods and drinks. Isoamyl acetate is an irritant of the eyes and mucous membranes at high concentrations. Exposure to Isoamyl acetate can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin contact. Occupational exposure limit: l00ppm over an 8 hr work shift

PREPARATION OF VARIOUS FORMULATIONS:

Six different formulations were prepared as detailed out below:.

1. Formulation 1: 77.60% Kerosene + 20.00% Ethyl alcohol+ 2.40% Isoamyl acetate Preparation: 77.60% Kerosene + 2.40% Isoamyl acetate were added, stirred well using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes to form deodorized Kerosene. 20.00% Ethyl alcohol was then added to deodorized Kerosene and again it was mixed thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes.

2. Formulation 2: 64.67% Kerosene + 33.33% Ethyl alcohol+ 2.00% Isoamyl acetate Preparation: 64.67% Kerosene + 2.00% Isoamyl acetate were added, stirred well using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes to form deodorized Kerosene. 33.33% Ethyl alcohol was then added to deodorized Kerosene and again it was mixed thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes.

3. Formulation 3: 48.50% Kerosene + 50.00% Ethyl alcohol+ 1.50% Isoamyl acetate Preparation: 48.50% Kerosene + 1.50% Isoamyl acetate were added, stirred well using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes to form deodorized Kerosene. 50.00% Ethyl alcohol was then added to deodorized Kerosene and again it was mixed thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes.

4. Formulation 4: 32.33% Kerosene + 66.67% Ethyl alcohol+ 1.00% Isoamyl acetate Preparation: 32.33% Kerosene 1.00% Isoamyl acetate were added, stirred well using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes to form deodorized Kerosene. 66.67% Ethyl alcohol was then added to deodorized Kerosene and again it was mixed thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes. This formulation was named as the 'MUPLIKILL'.

5. Formulation 5: 19.40% Kerosene + 80.00% Ethyl alcohol+ 0.60% Isoamyl acetate Preparation: 19.40% Kerosene 0.60% Isoamyl acetate were added, stirred well using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes to form deodorized Kerosene. 79.00% Ethyl alcohol was then added to deodorized Kerosene and again it was mixed thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes

6. Formulation 6: 10.78% Kerosene + 88.89% Ethyl alcohol+ 0.33%Isoamyl acetate Preparation: 10.78% Kerosene + 0.33% Isoamyl acetate were added, stirred well using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes to form deodorized Kerosene. 88.89% Ethyl alcohol was then added to deodorized Kerosene and again it was mixed thoroughly using a stirrer at 120 rpm for 10 minutes.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS ON MUPLI BEETLES:
Home invaded Mupli beetles were collected from a residential building in the first week of May 2012. Insecticidal activity and knock down capacity of the six different formulations on Mupli beetles was studied following filter paper bioassay method (Tomberlin et al. 2002; Sheppard & Hinkle 1987). Whatman No: 1 filter paper (30cm2) was placed in labeled PVC vials (Tarson vials; 5.5x4.5cm; 50ml capacity) and 1 ml of the label formulation was applied to the filter paper in each vial. Twenty beetles each were introduced into the vials and the vials were covered with nylon mesh net immediately after the introduction of beetles. Filter paper treated with Ethyl alcohol served as control experiment. Ten replicates were employed for each formulation. Knockdown counts were recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h time interval following exposure to the formulations and mortality counts at every 24 h time interval following the exposure. Knockdown was defined as the inability of a beetle to walk or fly and mortality as the inability to move its body or appendages and antennae when touched with an insect pin (Steelman 2008).

Corrected Mortality was calculated using Abbott's formula (Abbott 1925) as follows: Corrected mortality = (Observed mortality-Control mortality) x 100
(100- Control mortality) Data obtained was subjected to PROBIT analysis to determine dosage knockdown/ mortality regression equations and to estimate Knockdown (KD) and Lethal concentration (LC) values and respective 95% confidence limits (Finney 1971; Robertson et al. 2007). PROBIT analysis was done employing Minitab software for windows (Minitab 2010).
Results:

Among the six Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol formulations tested, the formulation with 32.16% Kerosene could provide 99% knock down upto 48 h (Table 1). 99% mortality with lowest Kerosene concentration was attained by formulation with 30.33% Kerosene after 7 days of exposure (Table 2). Thus probit analysis established that the Formulation 4 (MUPLIKILL) with 32.33% Kerosene is most effective in controlling Mupli beetles as it showed highest effectiveness by providing 99% knock down finally leading to 99% mortality within the shortest period of exposure and with the lowest Kerosene concentration (Figure 3a).

FIELD EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF MUPLIKILL:
Field evaluation of the efficacy of the Formulation, MUPLIKILL was analysed in three residential buildings selected as aggregation shelter by the home invaded beetles. In each building, aggregation spots of approximately 0.5 sq.m. were selected and the efficacy of the formulation (MUPLIKILL) was assessed by spraying a thin film of the formulation on the beetles using power sprayer. Pest surveillance (time taken for 100% knock down and mortality) was done at 2h interval upto 12h and at intervals of 24h upto 7 days after the treatment. Results established that MUPLIKILL provided 99% knockdown lasting for 6 days period and 99% mortality was reached by 7th day (Figure 3b).

Table 1: Knockdown values (KD99) of the test formulations against Mupli beetles obtained from probit analysis

Table 2: Mortality values (LC99) of the test formulations against Mupli beetles obtained from probit analysis

REFERENCES

Abbott WS (1925) A method of computing the effectiveness of an insecticide. Econ.
Entomol., 18:265-267.

Dona SJ, Ashley TJ, Liz T, Anand SK, Jyothi K (2011) Luprops Keratoconjunctivitis in the rubber plantation area of Pathanamthitta District. Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology 22 (1): 36-39. http://www.ksos.in/journals/Journal 06-05-2010_24.html; accessed on 2011-03-21.

Finney DJ (1971) Probit analysis 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Minitab Inc. (2010) MINITAB Statistical Software, Release 16 for Windows Robertson JL, Russell RM, Preisler HK, Savin NE (2007) Pesticide Bioassays with Arthropods. CRC Press.

Sabu KT, Vinod KV (2009) Population dynamics of the rubber plantation litter beetle Luprops tristis, in relation to annual cycle of foliage phenology of its host, the para rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis. J Insect Sci 9(56): 10pp.

Sabu KT, Vinod KV, Joby MC (2008) Life history, aggregation and dormancy of the rubber plantation litter beetle, Luprops tristis, from the rubber plantations of moist South Western Ghats. J Insect Sci 8(01): 17 pp Sheppard DC, Hinkle NC (1987) A field procedure using disposable materials to evaluate horn fly insecticide resistance. J Agric Entomol 4(1): 87-89.

Steelman DC (2008) Comparative susceptibility of adult and larval lesser mealworms, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), collected from broiler houses in Arkansas to selected insecticides. J Agric Urban Entomol 25(2): 111-125.

Tomberlin JK, Sheppard DC, Joyce AJ (2002) Susceptibility of Black soldier fly (Diptera) larvae and adults to four insecticides. J Econ Entomol 95: 1-3.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

This invention leads to first time solution for controlling the home invaded and aggregated Mupli beetles that remained as an uncontrollable menace since 1970s in the rubber plantation belts in south Indian states. Considering its effect on the hard bodied beetles, it could be used for the control of other aggregated insect pests in residential buildings. MUPLIKILL formulated using Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol does not contain toxic ingredients like the organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid based insecticides blindly used by the people to control the beetles ignoring the health risks associated with exposure to toxic insecticides. Its ingredients are not toxic materials and the requirement of very low concentrations for shorter period makes it a formulation with no environmental or health hazards that could be applied within residential buildings and is not harmful to human beings and hence could be employed for indoor application. Process involved in the preparation of the formulation is simple, easy and convenient to carry out.

Though the flammability and foul smell and dermal and oral toxicity on exposure makes Kerosene less desirable for indoor application, in the case of Mupli beetles, flammability and foul smell of Kerosene is not of concern as only very low volume of the formulation with low Kerosene concentration in the form of a thin film is required for application. Moreover the mixing of the formulation with the defensive gland secretions released by the beetles makes it inflammable and addition of the deodorizer solves the problem of prevalence of foul smell in the interior of residential buildings.

5. CLAIMS
We claim,

1. We claim a process for the preparation of a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation for the knock down and mortality of aggregated beetles and insects comprising 77.60 - 10.78 % by weight of Kerosene + 88.89% -20.00% by weight of Ethyl alcohol;

2. We claim a process for the preparation of a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation for the knock down and mortality of aggregated beetles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deodorizer is Isoamyl acetate in the ratio of 2.40% - 0.33% by weight of Isoamyl acetate.

3. We claim a process for the preparation of a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation for the knock down and mortality of aggregated nuisance pest beetles and insects as claimed in Claim 1, comprising 32.33% by weight of Kerosene + 66.67% by weight of Ethyl alcohol+ 1.00% by weight of Isoamyl acetate

4. We claim the invention provides a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation which has properties for the knockdown and mortality of the home invaded aggregated nuisance pest beetles and insects.

5. We claim that the invention may be used for the control of aggregations of any arthropod pest species present in buildings and closed surroundings.

6. We claim that invention provides a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation which is easy and convenient to against the aggregated beetles and insects

7. We claim a process for the preparation of a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation for the knock down and mortality of aggregated nuisance pest beetles and insects is economical.

8. We claim that process for the preparation of a Kerosene and Ethyl alcohol based formulation for the knock down and mortality of aggregated nuisance pest beetles and insects is without side effects and biodegradable.

9. We claim for all possible modifications, changes and adaptations by those skilled in the art by mixing Kerosene with other solvents and other deodorizers and all such modifications, changes adaptations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.