GB2074868A - Molluscicidal compositions - Google Patents

Molluscicidal compositions Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2074868A
GB2074868A GB816838A GB8106838A GB2074868A GB 2074868 A GB2074868 A GB 2074868A GB 816838 A GB816838 A GB 816838A GB 8106838 A GB8106838 A GB 8106838A GB 2074868 A GB2074868 A GB 2074868A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
composition
metaldehyde
weight
activator
proportion
Prior art date
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GB816838A
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Cardiff University
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Cardiff University College
Cardiff University
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cardiff University College, Cardiff University filed Critical Cardiff University College
Publication of GB2074868A publication Critical patent/GB2074868A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01NPRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N35/00Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing organic compounds containing a carbon atom having two bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. aldehyde radical
    • A01N35/02Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing organic compounds containing a carbon atom having two bonds to hetero atoms with at the most one bond to halogen, e.g. aldehyde radical containing aliphatically bound aldehyde or keto groups, or thio analogues thereof; Derivatives thereof, e.g. acetals

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Plant Pathology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)

Abstract

The effectiveness of solid molluscicidal compositions containing metaldehyde is improved by addition of particular enzymes or proteins which can stimulate pinocytosis in epithelial cells of the digestive tract of molluscs. By use of such additives the proportion of metaldehyde in molluscicide compositions can be reduced. Typical additives are ribonuclease, blood albumin peroxidase and egg albumen.

Description

SPECIFICATION Molluscicidal composition - This invention relates to new molluscicidal compositions.
Various molluscs are pests in agriculture. In particular, the terrestrial slug A. reticulatus may cause serious damage to crops in horticulture and other forms of agriculture, and much effort has been directed to combatting this pest. It has been found that certain chemicals, for example metaldehyde, are poisonous to terrestrial slugs, and molluscicidai compositions containing such compounds in admixture with a carrier or bait are used in large quantities. There is, however, a need for more effective molluscicidal compositions.
The present invention is based on our discovery that the effect of metaldehyde in molluscicidal activity against A. reticulatus is enhanced by the conjoint use of certain enzymes or other proteins with the metaldehyde.
Accordingly, the present invention provides molluscicidal compositions for combatting one or more species of molluscs, which comprises a mixture of metaldehyde and an activator therefor which is an enzyme or other protein, said enzyme or other protein being one which can stimulate pinocytosis in epithelial cells of the digestive tract of the mollusc.
It has been found that activators of particular interest are substances which induce pinocytosis in Amoeba, see for example the paper by C. Chapman-Andresen Compte. rent. Lab. Carlsberg 33 73-264 (1 962). A test for pinocytosis is described by W. Strauss in J. Biophysic and Biochem. Cytol. 5 No. 2 193 (1959) and this test may be used to identify enzymes and proteins suitable for use as activators in this invention. Suitable activators include ribonuclease, blood albumin, bovine serum albumin, horse radish peroxidase, egg albumen and enzyme PFC (an enzyme waste from A.B.M.
Chemicals).
For practical reasons the activator is preferably added in a form which does not unduly promote putrefaction of the molluscicide compositions and although putrefaction may be controlled to some extent by addition of biostats and/or fungicides to the compositions we prefer to use activators which are non-cellular and have been purified to remove most, if not all, of the putrescible matter. For example, dried blood is a source of blood albumin but it also contains blood cells which give rise to putrefaction or fungal growth. Although dried blood can be used in conjunction with a biostat, such as p-nitrophenol, it is preferable to use the serum as the source of albumin. Egg albumin is the most preferred activator since we have found that compositions containing it are the least susceptible to fungal growth and that the activator also helps bind the composition together.
The molluscicidal compositions of the invention will normally be used as a formulated solid composition, for example, a powder, pellet or other solid composition. The compositions contain only a small proportion of metaldehyde, the major component being bran or other food or inert carrier, and can, for example, basically be of the form conventionally used for pelleted metaldehyde slug bait.
When the compositons contain a suitable binder such as gelatine they can be in the form of a filament, of say up to 5 mm in diameter, or narrow strip, of say up to 20 mm in width, which may be produced, for example, by extrusion. The filament or strip, preferably containing a suitable attractant such as bran, can be used by laying it on the ground, for example along a row or around an area, to provide an extended poisonous bait which will be encountered and devoured by slugs.
We have found that the incorporation of the activators in the molluscicidal compositions markedly improves the effectiveness of the compositions, so much so that the incorporation of activator makes it possible to reduce the proportion of metaldehyde present in the composition and yet achieve a useful 'kill'.
Effective proportions of metaldehyde can readily be determined by simple test. A typical composition in common use contains, as the major ingredient, a farinaceous base such as bran or wheatfeed. This is mixed with about 3% to 6% metaldehyde and optionally with additives such as antimould agents and binders. When an activator of this invention is incorporated in such a composition in a proportion of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably from 2 to 6% by weight, the effectiveness of the composition is considerably increased. The increase is such that in a preferred form of our invention the activated metaldehyde molluscicide composition contains metaldehyde in a proportion of 1.0 to 2.5% by weight of the composition.We have found that in the presence of activator, even these low proportions of metaidehyde can give a useful 'kill'.
A particularly useful composition is one containing about 2% by weight of metaldehyde and about 4% by weight of egg albumen.
The invention is illustrated by the following Examples in which percentages are by weight.
EXAMPLE 1 A series of test pellets were made up to the following formulations: A = 3% metaldehyde and farinaceous base D = 3% metaldehyde with dried blood (1 0%) and farinaceous base F = 1% metaldehyde with dried blood (10%) and farinaceous base G = 1% metaldehyde and farinaceous base Pellets of each formulation and of a commercial formulation containing 6% by weight of metaldehyde were separately broadcast over small enclosed plots and raked over lightly. The same number of slugs was introduced into each plot and the number of dead counted over several days.
Number of slugs introduced 24 (mixed species) Test Pellets Commercial Pellet A D F G No. killed 11 21 16 8 15 In this test, some fungal growth occurred on the pellets containing dried blood. It was found that this growth could be retarded by incorporation of 0.2% by weight of p-nitrophenol in pellets D and F.
However, equally good results were obtained when the 10% dried blood was replaced by 6% by weight of bovine serum albumin.
EXAMPLE 2 In a field test an identical weight of pellets was placed under a 1 5 cm square tile on uniform grassland and the number of dead slugs under each tile was counted each morning. Field results are variable but the combined results of several tests was as follows: PELLETS A B S Dead slugs -- combined totals of five tests 53 107 66 Pellet A = Farinaceous and clay based pellet with 2% of metaldehyde Pellet B = Farinaceous and clay based pellet with 2% of metaldehyde and 5% bovine serum albumin Pellet S = Standard farinaceous pellet with 3% metaldehyde EXAMPLE 3 In another field test identical weights of pellets were placed under 1 5 cm square tiles on uniform grassland and the number of dead slugs under each tile counted each morning.Results of four tests were as follows: PELLET A S Dead slugs combined totals of four tests 62 23 Pellet A contained 2% metaldehyde and 4% egg albumen Pellet S contained 3% metaldehyde and no egg albumen The addition of egg albument enhanced the 'kill' even when a lower concentration of metaldehyde is present.
EXAMPLE 4 In a similar field test pellets containing 2% metaldehyde in a farinaceous base were compared with pellets containing in addition, 5% enzyme P.F.C. The latter produced a 'kill' over 50% higher than that of the enzyme-free pellets.
EXAMPLE 5 Into a 50:50 mixture of homogenised bran and heated gelatine was stirred 4% of metaldehyde.
After allowing it to set, the mass of bran and gelatine was chopped up into particulate form. A similar composition, but with the addition of 2% of bovine serum albumin, was also prepared in particulate form. The results of a series of field tests carried out as above on the two particulate molluscicides indicated that as a molluscicide the composition containing albumin was about twice as effective as the other composition. A confirmatory test on a particulate composition made in the same way but containing 2% of metaldehyde and 2% of the albumin, indicated that it was as effective as the composition containing 4% metaldehyde but no albumin.
EXAMPLE 6 Three compositions as described in Example 5 were made up but instead of being chopped up, each mass was extruded, part as a filament of about 3 mm diameter and part as a strip about 2 mm thick and about 10 mm wide. Field tests in which 2 m lengths of the filament and strip were laid down end to end indicated that the 4% metaldehyde 2% albumin composition was more effective against slugs than the albumin-free composition which was equalled in effectiveness by the 2% metaldehyde 2% albumin composition.

Claims (10)

1. A solid molluscicide composition containing as a molluscicide an effective proportion of metaldehyde and, as an activator, an enzyme or protein which can stimulate pinocytosis.
2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 in which the proportion of activator is from 0.5 to 10% by weight of the composition.
3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 in which the proportion of activator is from 2 to 6% by weight of the composition.
4. A composition as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the proportion of metaldehyde is from 1.0 to 2.5% by weight of the composition.
5. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the activator is ribonuclease, blood albumin, bovine serum albumin, horse radish peroxidase or enzyme PFC.
6. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the activator is egg albumen.
7. A composition as claimed in Claim 6 in which the proportion of egg albumen is from 2 to 5% by weight of the composition.
8. A composition as claimed in Claim 6 containing about 2% by weight of metaldehyde and about 4% by weight of egg albumen.
9. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is in powder, pellet or other particulate form.
10. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 which is in filament or narrow strip form.
GB816838A 1980-03-13 1981-03-04 Molluscicidal compositions Withdrawn GB2074868A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8008515 1980-03-13
GB8016883 1980-05-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2074868A true GB2074868A (en) 1981-11-11

Family

ID=26274802

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB816838A Withdrawn GB2074868A (en) 1980-03-13 1981-03-04 Molluscicidal compositions

Country Status (4)

Country Link
FR (1) FR2477836A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2074868A (en)
IT (1) IT1136927B (en)
NL (1) NL8101172A (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0197622A1 (en) * 1985-01-18 1986-10-15 Kao Corporation Enhancement of biocide activity
US4826685A (en) * 1986-11-17 1989-05-02 Landec Labs, Inc. Molluscicidal device
US5098706A (en) * 1988-11-01 1992-03-24 The Regents Of The University Of California Juvenile hormone esterase for insect control
US5643776A (en) * 1988-11-01 1997-07-01 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect diagnostic and control compositions
US5674485A (en) * 1988-11-01 1997-10-07 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect diagnostic and control compositions with truncated JHE
US5756340A (en) * 1995-05-08 1998-05-26 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect control with multiple toxins
EP1057406A1 (en) * 1999-06-05 2000-12-06 V & A Marketing Limited Molluscicidal strip
US6596271B2 (en) 1996-07-12 2003-07-22 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect control method with genetically engineered biopesticides
US6689356B1 (en) 1988-12-19 2004-02-10 The Regents Of The Unviersity Of California Recombinant baculoviruses producing insect toxins

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1180086A (en) * 1967-08-12 1970-02-04 Bp Chem Int Ltd Pesticide Composition.
CH614347A5 (en) * 1975-09-29 1979-11-30 Hoffmann La Roche

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0197622A1 (en) * 1985-01-18 1986-10-15 Kao Corporation Enhancement of biocide activity
US4826685A (en) * 1986-11-17 1989-05-02 Landec Labs, Inc. Molluscicidal device
US5098706A (en) * 1988-11-01 1992-03-24 The Regents Of The University Of California Juvenile hormone esterase for insect control
US5643776A (en) * 1988-11-01 1997-07-01 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect diagnostic and control compositions
US5674485A (en) * 1988-11-01 1997-10-07 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect diagnostic and control compositions with truncated JHE
US5674747A (en) * 1988-11-01 1997-10-07 The Regents Of The University Of California Viral vector coding for juvenile hormone esterase
US6689356B1 (en) 1988-12-19 2004-02-10 The Regents Of The Unviersity Of California Recombinant baculoviruses producing insect toxins
US5756340A (en) * 1995-05-08 1998-05-26 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect control with multiple toxins
US6162430A (en) * 1995-05-08 2000-12-19 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect control with multiple toxins
US6596271B2 (en) 1996-07-12 2003-07-22 The Regents Of The University Of California Insect control method with genetically engineered biopesticides
EP1057406A1 (en) * 1999-06-05 2000-12-06 V & A Marketing Limited Molluscicidal strip

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2477836A1 (en) 1981-09-18
IT8120325A0 (en) 1981-03-13
IT1136927B (en) 1986-09-03
NL8101172A (en) 1981-10-01

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