Insecticidal and miticidal mixtures of bifenthrin and cyano-pyrethroids

Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel insecticidal and/or miticidal compositions comprising bifenthrin and a cyano-pyrethroid. The compositions exhibit an unexpected increase in insecticidal activity as compared to the insecticidal activity of the individual components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A miticidal composition comprising bifenthrin and a cyano-pyrethroid selected from the group consisting of acrinathrin, cycloprothrin, tralomethrin, fenvalerate, beta-cyfluthrin, flucythrinate, beta-cypermethrin, theta-cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, cyhalothrin, fluvalinate and fenpropathrin. 
     
     
         2 . A composition of  claim 1  where the ratio of bifenthrin to cyano-pyrethroid is from 1/99 to 99/1. 
     
     
         3 . A composition of  claim 1  wherein the cyano-pyrethroid is selected from the group consisting of deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, alpha-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate. 
     
     
         4 . A composition of  claim 1  wherein the cyano-pyrethroid is zeta-cypermethrin. 
     
     
         5 . A composition of  claim 4  wherein the zeta-cypermethrin is (R,S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-(1RS)-cis-trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate which has been enriched in the 1R-cis-S and 1R-trans-S isomers by the reaction of a 55/45 cis/trans mixture of cypermethrin with a catalytic amount of tricaprylylammonium chloride and sodium carbonate in n-heptane. 
     
     
         6 . A composition of  claim 1  further comprising an agriculturally acceptable extender or adjuvant. 
     
     
         7 . A method for controlling unwanted insects or mites comprising applying a composition of  claim 1  to a locus where insects or mites are present or are expected to be present.