Methods of inhibiting, preventing, killing and/or repelling insects using simulated blends of chenopodium extracts

Abstract

The present invention provides natural and/or simulated, synthetic, synergistic pesticidal compositions comprising terpenes, such as extracts from Chenopodium ambrosioides near ambrosioides , or compositions based on those found in Chenopodium ambrosioides near ambrosioides . The present invention also provides methods of using said compositions to kill, inhibit, prevent and/or repel plant pests from contacting and/or damaging plants.

1 . A method of controlling insects and/or mites comprising applying to a plant or plant part and/or applying to an area around a plant or plant part an insecticidally effective amount of a composition comprising (i) a simulated blend of an essential oil extract of  Chenopodium ambrosioides  near  ambrosioides , wherein the simulated blend consists essentially of substantially pure α-terpinene, p-cymene and limonene, wherein each of the substantially pure α-terpinene, p-cymene and limonene is not obtained from a  Chenopodium  extract and (ii) a carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the α-terpinene and p-cymene are synthetically produced and the limonene is obtained from a plant other than  Chenopodium.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is diluted before application and wherein the simulated blend in such composition after dilution consists essentially of about 0.010% to about 0.21% by weight of α-terpinene, about 0.004% to about 0.08% by weight of p-cymene, and about 0.003% to about 0.063% by weight of limonene. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is diluted before application and wherein the simulated blend in such composition after dilution consists essentially of about 0.02% to about 0.08% by weight of α-terpinene, from about 0.008% to about 0.032% by weight of p-cymene, and from about 0.006% to about 0.026% by weight of limonene. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insect is selected from the group consisting of a thrip, an aphid, a psyllid, a white fly and a lepidopteran. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mite is a two-spotted spider mite, a Pacific spider mite, or a European red mite. 
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising an insecticidally effective amount of (i) a simulated blend of an essential oil extract of  Chenopodium ambrosioides  near  ambrosioides , wherein the simulated blend consists essentially of a volume filler and substantially pure α-terpinene, p-cymene, and limonene, wherein each of the substantially pure α-terpinene, p-cymene and limonene is not obtained from a  Chenopodium  extract and (ii) a carrier. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the carrier and/or volume filler is a vegetable oil. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the relative ratio of the α-terpinene to p-cymene to limonene is about 30 to about 50 α-terpinene, about 10 to about 20 p-cymene and about 5 to about 20 limonene.