Patent Publication Number: US-2010113268-A1

Title: Synergistic active compound combinations

Description:
The present invention relates to novel active compound combinations comprising, as active compounds, oxamyl and also at least one further active compound from the group of the chloronicotinyls, which combinations are highly effective in the control of animal pests. 
     Oxamyl of the formula (I) is known from “The Pesticide Manual”, 13th Edition, 2003, published by the British Crop Protection Council, page 729. 
     It is already known that oxamyl of the formula (I), 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     can be used for controlling animal pests, in particular insects, arachnids or nematodes (U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,220 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,870). 
    
    
     It is furthermore known that chloronicotinyls, such as, for example, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, clothianidin, acetamiprid, nitenpyram and dinotefuran, AKD 1022 or imidaclothiz, are suitable for controlling animal pests, in particular insects. A mixture comprising thiamethoxam and oxamyl is already known (WO 1997040691). 
     The activity of the individual compounds is good; however, at low application rates or against individual pests they do not always meet the high requirements which insecticides, acaricides or nematicides have to meet. 
     It has now been found that mixtures comprising oxamyl and at least one compound from the group of the chloronicotinyls mentioned below are synergistically effective and suitable for controlling animal pests, in particular nematodes. By virtue of this synergism, it is possible to use considerably lower amounts of active compounds, i.e. the activity of the mixture is greater than the activity of the individual components. 
     Clothianidin has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from EP A2 0 376 279. 
     Thiacloprid has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from EP A2 0 235 725. 
     Dinotefuran has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from EP A10 649 845. 
     Acetamiprid has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from WO A191/04965. 
     Nitenpyram has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from EP A2 0 302 389. 
     Imidacloprid has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from EP A10 192 060. 
     The compound AKD 1022 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     is known from EP 0 428 941. 
     Imidaclothiz has the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and is known from EPO 192 060 A1. 
     The ratio in which the active compounds are employed and the total amount of the mixture to be used depend on the nature and the occurrence of the insects. For each application, the optimum ratios and total amounts to be used can in each case be determined by test series. 
     A preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and imidacloprid. In these mixtures, the weight ratio of the respective active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5, where oxamyl is always mentioned first in the ratios here and below. 
     A further preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and acetamiprid. In the mixture, the weight ratio of the two active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5. 
     A further preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and nitenpyram. In the mixture, the weight ratio of the two active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5. 
     A further preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and dinotefuran. In the mixture, the weight ratio of the two active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5. 
     A further preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and thiacloprid. In the mixture, the weight ratio of the two active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5. 
     A further preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and AKD 1022. In the mixture, the weight ratio of the two active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5. 
     A further preferred active compound combination according to the invention comprises the active compounds oxamyl and imidaclothiz. In the mixture, the weight ratio of the two active compounds is from 1000:1 to 1:125, preferably from 125:1 to 1:50 and particularly preferably from 25:1 to 1:5. 
     Particular preference is given to active compound combinations comprising oxamyl and imidacloprid and also oxamyl and clothianidin or oxamyl and thiacloprid in the mixing ratios listed above. 
     Very particular preference is given to active compound combinations comprising oxamyl and imidacloprid in the mixing ratios listed above. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes and insects. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are very particularly suitable for controlling nematodes. 
     Preferably, the active compound combinations mentioned above as being preferred do not contain any other insecticidally active component. 
     The active compound combinations, having good plant compatibility and favourable homeotherm toxicity, are suitable for controlling animal pests, in particular insects, arachnids and nematodes, encountered in agriculture, in forests, in the protection of stored products and materials and in the hygiene sector. They are preferably used as crop protection compositions for foliar and soil treatment. 
     They are effective against normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or individual stages of development. The abovementioned pests include: 
     From the order of the Anoplura (Phthiraptera), for example,  Damalinia  spp.,  Haematopinus  spp.,  Linognathus  spp.,  Pediculus  spp.,  Trichodectes  spp. 
     From the class of the Arachnida, for example,  Acarus siro, Aceria sheldoni, Aculops  spp.,  Aculus  spp.,  Amblyomma  spp.,  Argas  spp.,  Boophilus  spp.,  Brevipalpus  spp.,  Bryobia praetiosa, Chorioptes  spp.,  Dermanyssus gallinae, Eotetranychus  spp.,  Epitrimerus pyri, Eutetranychus  spp.,  Eriophyes  spp.,  Hemitarsonemus  spp.,  Hyalomma  spp.,  Ixodes  spp.,  Latrodectus mactans, Metatetranychus  spp.,  Oligonychus  spp.,  Ornithodoros  spp.,  Panonychus  spp.,  Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Psoroptes  spp.,  Rhipicephalus  spp.,  Rhizoglyphus  spp.,  Sarcoptes  spp.,  Scorpio maurus, Stenotarsonemus  spp.,  Tarsonemus  spp.,  Tetranychus  spp.,  Vasates lycopersici.    
     From the class of the Bivalva, for example,  Dreissena  spp. 
     From the order of the Chilopoda, for example,  Geophilus  spp.,  Scutigera  spp. 
     From the order of the Coleoptera, for example,  Acanthoscelides obtectus, Adoretus  spp.,  Agelastica alni, Agriotes  spp.,  Amphimallon solstitialis, Anobium punctatum, Anoplophora  spp.,  Anthonomus  spp.,  Anthrenus  spp.,  Apogonia  spp.,  Atomaria  spp.,  Attagenus  spp.,  Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus  spp.,  Ceuthorhynchus  spp.,  Cleonus mendicus, Conoderus  spp.,  Cosmopolites  spp.,  Costelytra zealandica, Curculio  spp.,  Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Dermestes  spp.,  Diabrotica  spp.,  Epilachna  spp.,  Faustinus cubae, Gibbium psylloides, Heteronychus arator, Hylamorpha elegans, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera postica, Hypothenemus  spp.,  Lachnosterna consanguinea, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Lixus  spp.,  Lyctus  spp.,  Meligethes aeneus, Melolontha melolontha, Migdolus spp.,    Monochamus  spp.,  Naupactus xanthographus, Niptus hololeucus, Oryctes rhinoceros, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllophaga  spp.,  Popillia japonica, Premnotrypes  spp.,  Psylliodes chrysocephala, Ptinus  spp.,  Rhizobius ventralis, Rhizopertha dominica, Sitophilus  spp.,  Sphenophorus  spp.,  Sternechus  spp.,  Symphyletes  spp.,  Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium  spp., Trogoderma spp.,  Tychius  spp.,  Xylotrechus  spp.,  Zabrus  spp. 
     From the order of the Collembola, for example,  Onychiurus armatus.    
     From the order of the  Dermaptera , for example,  Forficula auricularia.    
     From the order of the Diplopoda, for example,  Blaniulus guttulatus.    
     From the order of the Diptera, for example,  Aedes  spp.,  Anopheles  spp.,  Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Ceratitis capitata, Chrysomyia  spp.,  Cochliomyia  spp.,  Cordylobia anthropophaga, Culex  spp.,  Cuterebra  spp.,  Dacus oleae, Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila  spp.,  Fannia  spp.,  Gastrophilus  spp.,  Hylemyia  spp.,  Hyppobosca  spp.,  Hypoderma  spp.,  Liriomyza  spp.,  Lucilia  spp.,  Musca  spp.,  Nezara  spp.,  Oestrus  spp.,  Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami, Phorbia  spp.,  Stomoxys  spp.,  Tabanus  spp.,  Tannia  spp.,  Tipula paludosa, Wohlfahrtia  spp. 
     From the class of the Gastropoda, for example,  Anion  spp.,  Biomphalaria  spp.,  Bulinus  spp.,  Deroceras  spp.,  Galba  spp.,  Lymnaea  spp.,  Oncomelania  spp.,  Succinea  spp. 
     From the class of the helminths, for example,  Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Acylostoma braziliensis, Ancylostoma  spp.,  Ascaris lubricoides, Ascaris  spp.,  Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, Bunostomum  spp.,  Chabertia  spp.,  Clonorchis  spp.,  Cooperia  spp.,  Dicrocoelium  spp,  Dicytocaulus filaria, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculus medinensis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Enterobius vermicularis, Faciola  spp.,  Haemonchus  spp.,  Heterakis  spp.,  Hymenolepis nana, Hyostrongulus  spp., Loa Loa,  Nematodirus  spp.,  Oesophagostomum  spp.,  Opisthorchis  spp.,  Onchocerca volvulus, Ostertagia  spp.,  Paragonimus  spp.,  Schistosomen  spp,  Strongyloides fuelleborni, Strongyloides stercoralis, Stronyloides  spp.,  Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella pseudopsiralis, Trichostrongulus  spp.,  Trichuris trichuria, Wuchereria bancrofti.    
     It is furthermore possible to control protozoa, such as Eimeria. 
     From the order of the Heteroptera, for example,  Anasa tristis, Antestiopsis  spp.,  Blissus  spp.,  Calocoris  spp.,  Campylomma livida, Cavelerius  spp.,  Cimex  spp.,  Creontiades dilutus, Dasynus piperis, Dichelops furcatus, Diconocoris hewetti, Dysdercus spp.,    Euschistus  spp.,  Eurygaster  spp.,  Heliopeltis  spp.,  Horcias nobilellus, Leptocorisa  spp.,  Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygus  spp.,  Macropes excavatus, Miridae, Nezara  spp.,  Oebalus  spp.,  Pentomidae, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus  spp.,  Psallus seriatus, Pseudacysta persea, Rhodnius  spp.,  Sahlbergella singularis, Scotinophora  spp.,  Stephanitis nashi, Tibraca  spp.,  Triatoma  spp. 
     From the order of the  Homoptera , for example,  Acyrthosipon  spp.,  Aeneolamia  spp.,  Agonoscena  spp.,  Aleurodes  spp.,  Aleurolobus barodensis, Aleurothrixus  spp.,  Amrasca  spp.,  Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiella  spp.,  Aphanostigma piri, Aphis  spp.,  Arboridia apicalis, Aspidiella  spp.,  Aspidiotus  spp.,  Atanus  spp.,  Aulacorthum solani, Bemisia  spp.,  Brachycaudus helichrysii, Brachycolus  spp.,  Brevicoryne brassicae, Calligypona marginata, Carneocephala fulgida, Ceratovacuna lanigera , Cercopidae,  Ceroplastes  spp.,  Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlorita onukii, Chromaphis juglandicola, Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila, Coccomytilus halli, Coccus  spp.,  Cryptomyzus ribis, Dalbulus  spp.,  Dialeurodes  spp.,  Diaphorina  spp.,  Diaspis  spp.,  Doralis  spp.,  Drosicha  spp.,  Dysaphis  spp.,  Dysmicoccus  spp.,  Empoasca  spp.,  Eriosoma  spp.,  Erythroneura  spp.,  Euscelis bilobatus, Geococcus coffeae, Homalodisca coagulata, Hyalopterus arundinis, Icerya  spp.,  Idiocerus  spp.,  Idioscopus  spp.,  Laodelphax striatellus, Lecanium  spp.,  Lepidosaphes  spp.,  Lipaphis erysimi, Macrosiphum  spp.,  Mahanarva fimbriolata, Melanaphis sacchari, Metcalfiella  spp.,  Metopolophium dirhodum, Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis pecanis, Myzus  spp.,  Nasonovia ribisnigri, Nephotettix  spp.,  Nilaparvata lugens, Oncometopia  spp.,  Orthezia praelonga, Parabemisia myricae, Paratrioza  spp.,  Parlatoria  spp.,  Pemphigus  spp.,  Peregrinus maidis, Phenacoccus  spp.,  Phloeomyzus passerinii, Phorodon humuli, Phylloxera  spp.,  Pinnaspis aspidistrae, Planococcus  spp.,  Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Pseudococcus  spp.,  Psylla  spp.,  Pteromalus  spp.,  Pyrilla  spp.,  Quadraspidiotus  spp.,  Quesada gigas, Rastrococcus  spp.,  Rhopalosiphum  spp.,  Saissetia  spp.,  Scaphoides titanus, Schizaphis graminum, Selenaspidus articulatus, Sogata  spp.,  Sogatella furcifera, Sogatodes  spp.,  Stictocephala festina, Tenalaphara malayensis, Tinocallis caryaefoliae, Tomaspis  spp.,  Toxoptera  spp.,  Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza  spp.,  Typhlocyba  spp.,  Unaspis  spp.,  Viteus vitifolii.    
     From the order of the  Hymenoptera , for example,  Diprion  spp.,  Hoplocampa  spp.,  Lasius  spp.,  Monomorium pharaonis, Vespa  spp. 
     From the order of the Isopoda, for example,  Armadillidium vulgare, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber.    
     From the order of the  Isoptera , for example,  Reticulitermes  spp.,  Odontotermes  spp. 
     From the order of the  Lepidoptera , for example,  Acronicta major, Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis  spp.,  Alabama argillacea, Anticarsia  spp.,  Barathra brassicae, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupalus piniarius, Cacoecia podana, Capua reticulana, Carpocapsa pomonella, Chematobia brumata, Chilo  spp.,  Choristoneura fumiferana, Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocerus  spp.,  Earias insulana, Ephestia kuehniella, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, Euxoa  spp.,  Feltia  spp.,  Galleria mellonella, Helicoverpa  spp.,  Heliothis  spp.,  Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Homona magnanima, Hyponomeuta padella, Laphygma  spp.,  Lithocolletis blancardella, Lithophane antennata, Loxagrotis albicosta, Lymantria  spp.,  Malacosoma neustria, Mamestra brassicae, Mocis repanda, Mythimna separata, Oria  spp.,  Oulema oryzae, Panolis flammea, Pectinophora gossypiella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Pieris  spp.,  Plutella xylostella, Prodenia  spp.,  Pseudaletia  spp.,  Pseudoplusia includens, Pyrausta nubilalis, Spodoptera  spp.,  Thermesia gemmatalis, Tinea pellionella, Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix viridana, Trichoplusia  spp. 
     From the order of the Orthoptera, for example,  Acheta domesticus, Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica, Gryllotalpa  spp.,  Leucophaea maderae, Locusta  spp.,  Melanoplus  spp.,  Periplaneta americana, Schistocerca gregaria.    
     From the order of the  Siphonaptera , for example,  Ceratophyllus  spp.,  Xenopsylla  cheopis. 
     From the order of the Symphyla, for example,  Scutigerella immaculata.    
     From the order of the Thysanoptera, for example,  Baliothrips biformis, Enneothrips flavens, Frankliniella  spp.,  Heliothrips  spp.,  Hercinothrips femoralis, Kakothrips  spp.,  Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips  spp.,  Taeniothrips cardamoni, Thrips  spp. 
     From the order of the Thysanura, for example,  Lepisma saccharina.    
     The phytoparasitic nematodes include, for example,  Anguina  spp.,  Aphelenchoides  spp.,  Belonoaimus  spp.,  Bursaphelenchus  spp.,  Ditylenchus dipsaci, Globodera  spp.,  Heliocotylenchus  spp.,  Heterodera  spp.,  Longidorus  spp.,  Meloidogyne  spp.,  Pratylenchus  spp.,  Radopholus similis, Rotylenchus  spp.,  Trichodorus  spp.,  Tylenchorhynchus  spp.,  Tylenchulus  spp.,  Tylenchulus  semipenetrans,  Xiphinema  spp. 
     All plants and plant parts can be treated in accordance with the invention. Plants are understood as meaning, in the present context, all plants and plant populations, such as desired and undesired wild plants or crop plants (including naturally occurring crop plants). Crop plants may be plants which can be obtained by conventional breeding and optimization methods or by biotechnological and genetic engineering methods or by combinations of these methods, including the transgenic plants and including the plant varieties capable or not capable of being protected by plant breeders&#39; rights. Plant parts are understood as meaning all above-ground and subterranean parts and organs of the plants, such as shoot, leaf, flower and root, examples which may be mentioned being leaves, needles, stalks, stems, flowers, fruiting bodies, fruits and seeds, and also roots, tubers and rhizomes. The plant parts also include harvested material and vegetative and generative propagation material, for example cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, slips and seeds. 
     What should be emphasized in this context is the particularly advantageous effect of the active compound combinations according to the invention with regard to their use in cereal plants such as, for example, wheat, oats, barley, spelt, triticale and rye, but also in maize, sorghum and millet, rice, sugar cane, soya beans, sunflowers, potatoes, cotton, oilseed rape, canola, tobacco, sugar beet, fodder beet, asparagus, hops and fruit plants (comprising pome fruit such as, for example, apples and pears, stone fruit such as, for example, peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums and apricots, citrus fruits such as, for example, oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, kumquats, mandarins and satsumas, nuts such as, for example, pistachios, almonds, walnuts and pecan nuts, tropical fruits such as, for example, mango, papaya, pineapple, dates and bananas, and grapes) and vegetables (comprising leaf vegetables such as, for example, endives, corn salad, Florence fennel, lettuce, cos lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach and chicory for salad use, cabbages such as, for example, cauliflower, broccoli, Chinese leaves,  Brassica oleracea  (L.)  convar. acephala  var.  sabellica  L. (curly kale, feathered cabbage), kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, white cabbage and savoy cabbage, fruit vegetables such as, for example, aubergines, cucumbers, capsicums, table pumpkins, tomatoes, courgettes and sweetcorn, root vegetables such as, for example celeriac, wild turnips, carrots, including yellow cultivars, radishes including  Raphanus sativus  var.  niger  and var.  radicula , beetroot, scorzonera and celery, legumes such as, for example, peas and beans, and vegetables from the Allium family such as, for example, leeks and onions). The combinations according to the invention are particularly suitable for treating the seed of cotton, soya beans, vegetables and tobacco. 
     The treatment according to the invention of the plants and plant parts with the active compound combinations is carried out either directly or by treating their environment, habitat or storage space by the customary treatment methods, for example by dipping, spraying, vaporizing, misting, broadcasting, painting on and, in the case of propagation material, in particular seeds, furthermore by coating with one or more layers. 
     The mixtures according to the invention, in particular also the combination of the active compounds imidacloprid and oxamyl and also clothianidin and oxamyl, are particularly suitable for the treatment of seeds. Thus, most of the damage to crop plants which is caused by pests occurs as early as when the seed is infested during storage and after the seed is introduced into the soil, and during and immediately after germination of the plants. This phase is particularly critical since the roots and shoots of the growing plants are particularly sensitive and even minor damage can lead to the death of the whole plant. Protecting the seed and the germinating plant by the use of suitable compositions is therefore of particularly great interest. 
     The control of pests by treating the seed of plants has been known for a long time and is the subject of continuous improvements. However, the treatment of seed entails a series of problems which cannot always be solved in a satisfactory manner. Thus, it is desirable to develop methods for protecting the seed and the germinating plant which dispense with the additional application of crop protection products after planting or after emergence of the plants. It is furthermore desirable to optimize the amount of active compound employed in such a way as to provide optimum protection for the seed and the germinating plant from attack by pests, but without damaging the plant itself by the active compound employed. In particular, methods for the treatment of seed should also take into consideration the intrinsic insecticidal properties of transgenic plants in order to achieve optimum protection of the seed and the germinating plant with a minimum of crop protection products being employed. 
     The present invention therefore in particular also relates to a method for the protection of seed and for the protection of germinating plants from attack by pests, by treating the seed with an active compound combination according to the invention. The method according to the invention for protecting seed and germinating plants from attack by pests includes a method where the seed is treated simultaneously with oxamyl and at least one chloronicotinyl. It also includes a method where the seed is treated at different times with oxamyl and at least one chloronicotinyl. The invention also relates to the use of the active compound combinations according to the invention for treating seed for protecting the seed and the plant emerging therefrom against pests. Furthermore, the invention relates to seed treated with an active compound combination according to the invention for protection against pests. The invention also relates to seed treated simultaneously with oxamyl and at least one chloronicotinyl. The invention furthermore relates to seed treated at different times with oxamyl and at least one chloronicotinyl. In the case of seed treated at different times with oxamyl and at least one chloronicotinyl, the individual active compounds of the composition according to the invention can be present in different layers on the seed. Here, the layers comprising oxamyl and the chloronicotinyls may optionally be separated by an intermediate layer. The invention also relates to seed where oxamyl and chlornicotinyls are applied as component of a coating or as a further layer or further layers in addition to a coating. 
     One of the advantages of the present invention is that the particular systemic properties of the active compound combinations according to the invention mean that treatment of the seed with these active compound combinations not only protects the seed itself, but also the resulting plants after emergence, from pests. In this manner, the immediate treatment of the crop at the time of sowing or shortly thereafter can be dispensed with. 
     A further advantage is the synergistically increased insecticidal activity of the active compound combinations according to the invention in comparison with the respective individual active compound, which exceeds the total of the activity of the two active compounds when applied individually. This makes possible an optimization of the amount of active compound employed. 
     Furthermore, it must be considered as advantageous that the active compound combinations according to the invention can also be employed in particular in transgenic seed, the plants arising from this seed being capable of expressing a protein directed against pests. By treating such seed with the active compound combinations according to the invention, certain pests can be controlled merely by the expression of the, for example, insecticidal protein, and, surprisingly, the result in addition is a synergistically complemented activity with the active compound combinations according to the invention, which, again, increases the efficacy of the protection against attack by pests. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are suitable for protecting seed of any plant variety as already mentioned above which is employed in agriculture, in a greenhouse, in forests or in horticulture. In particular, the seed is that of maize, peanut, canola, oilseed rape, poppy, soya beans, cotton, beet (for example sugar beet and fodder beet), rice, sorghum and millet, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sunflower or tobacco. The active compound combinations according to the invention are likewise suitable for treating the seed of fruit plants and vegetables as already mentioned above. The treatment of the seed of maize, soya beans, cotton, wheat, sugar beet, vegetables and canola or oilseed rape is of particular importance. Thus, for example, the active compound combinations according to the invention which comprise the active compounds oxamyl and imidacloprid or clothianidin and oxamyl are particularly suitable for treating the seed of maize, the seed of cotton and beets. Other crops which are particularly suitable for application of the active compound combinations according to the invention are cotton, soya beans, vegetables and tobacco. 
     As already mentioned above, the treatment of transgenic seed with the active compound combinations according to the invention is also of particular importance. In this case, the seed is that of plants which, as a rule, comprise at least one heterologous gene which governs the expression of a polypeptide with in particular insecticidal properties. In this context, the heterologous genes in transgenic seed may be derived from microorganisms such as  Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter, Glomus  or  Gliocladium . The present invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of transgenic seed which comprises at least one heterologous gene originating from  Bacillus  sp. and whose gene product shows activity against the European corn borer and/or the corn root worm. It is particularly preferably a heterologous gene derived from  Bacillus thuringiensis . Here, too, the combination according to the invention is particularly suitable for the seed of maize. 
     Within the scope of the present invention, the active compound combination according to the invention is applied to the seed either alone or in suitable formulation. Preferably, the seed is treated in a state in which it is stable enough to avoid damage during treatment. In general, the seed may be treated at any point in time between harvest and sowing. The seed usually used has been separated from the plant and freed from cobs, shells, stalks, coats, hairs or the flesh of the fruits. 
     When treating the seed, care must generally be taken that the amount of the active compound combination according to the invention applied to the seed and/or the amount of further additives is chosen in such a way that the germination of the seed is not adversely affected, or that the resulting plant is not damaged. This must be borne in mind in particular in the case of active compounds which can have phytotoxic effects at certain application rates. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention can be applied directly, that is to say without further components and without having been diluted. As a rule, it is preferable to apply the active compound combinations to the seed in the form of a suitable formulation. Suitable formulations and methods for the treatment of seed are known to the skilled worker and are described, for example, in the following documents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,417 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,432 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,430 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,739 A, US 2003/0176428 A1, WO 2002/080675 A1, WO 2002/028186 A2. 
     The active compound combinations can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dusts, pastes, soluble powders, granules, suspoemulsion concentrates, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compounds and microencapsulations in polymeric materials. 
     These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is, liquid solvents and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surfactants, that is, emulsifiers and/or dispersants and/or foam formers. 
     If the extender used is water, it is also possible to use, for example, organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Suitable liquid solvents are essentially: aromatics, such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol and ethers and esters thereof, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, and water. 
     Suitable solid carriers are: 
     for example, ammonium salts and ground natural minerals such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as finely divided silica, alumina and silicates; suitable solid carriers for granules are: for example, crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, and also synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as paper, sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks; suitable emulsifiers and/or foam formers are: for example, nonionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates and also protein hydrolysates; suitable dispersants are nonionic and/or ionic substances, for example from the classes of the alcohol-POE and/or -POP ethers, acid and/or POP POE esters, alkylaryl and/or POP POE ethers, fat and/or POP POE adducts, POE- and/or POP-polyol derivatives, POE- and/or POP-sorbitan or -sugar adducts, alkyl or aryl sulphates, alkyl- or arylsulphonates and alkyl or aryl phosphates or the corresponding PO-ether adducts. Furthermore, suitable oligo- or polymers, for example those derived from vinylic monomers, from acrylic acid, from EO and/or PO alone or in combination with, for example, (poly)alcohols or (poly)amines. It is also possible to employ lignin and its sulphonic acid derivatives, unmodified and modified celluloses, aromatic and/or aliphatic sulphonic acids and their adducts with formaldehyde. 
     Tackifiers such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, as well as natural phospholipids such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids, can be used in the formulations. 
     It is possible to use colourants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc. 
     Other possible additives are perfumes, mineral or vegetable, optionally modified oils, waxes and nutrients (including trace nutrients), such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc. 
     Stabilizers, such as low-temperature stabilizers, preservatives, antioxidants, light stabilizers or other agents which improve chemical and/or physical stability may also be present. 
     The formulations generally comprise between 0.01 and 98% by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention can be used in commercially available formulations and in the use forms, prepared from these formulations, as a mixture with other active compounds, such as insecticides, attractants, sterilizing agents, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, growth-regulating substances, herbicides, safeners, fertilizers or semiochemicals. 
     Particularly favourable mixing partners are, for example, the following: 
     Fungicides: 
     Inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis 
     benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bupirimate, chiralaxyl, clozylacon, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazol, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxolinic acid 
     Inhibitors of mitosis and cell division 
     benomyl, carbendazim, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole, thiophanate-methyl, zoxamide 
     Inhibitors of respiratory chain complex I 
     diflumetorim 
     Inhibitors of respiratory chain complex II 
     boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, furmecyclox, mepronil, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, thifluzamide 
     Inhibitors of respiratory chain complex III 
     azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, famoxadon, fenamidone, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin 
     Decouplers 
     dinocap, fluazinam 
     Inhibitors of ATP production fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, silthiofam 
     Inhibitors of amino acid biosynthesis and protein biosynthesis 
     andoprim, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil 
     Inhibitors of signal transduction 
     fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, quinoxyfen 
     Inhibitors of lipid and membrane synthesis 
     chlozolinate, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin 
     ampropylfos, potassium-ampropylfos, edifenphos, etridiazole, iprobenfos (MP), isoprothiolane, pyrazophos 
     tolclofos-methyl, biphenyl 
     iodocarb, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride, propamocarb-fosetylate 
     Inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis 
     fenhexamid, 
     azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flurprimidole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulphate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, penconazole, pefurazoate, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyrifenox, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole, voriconazole, viniconazole, 
     aldimorph, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, spiroxamine, tridemorph, 
     naftifine, pyributicarb, terbinafine 
     Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis 
     benthiavalicarb, bialaphos, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid, polyoxins, polyoxorim, validamycin A 
     Inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis 
     capropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, phthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole 
     Resistance inductors 
     acibenzolar-5-methyl, probenazole, tiadinil 
     Multisite 
     captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper salts such as: copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, copper oxide, oxine-copper and Bordeaux mixture, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base, ferbam, folpet, fluorofolpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, metiram zinc, propineb, sulphur and sulphur preparations containing calcium polysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb, ziram 
     Further fungicides 
     amibromdol, benthiazole, bethoxazin, capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat, chloropicrin, cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dazomet, debacarb, diclomezine, dichlorophen, dicloran, difenzoquat, difenzoquat metilsulphate, diphenylamine, ferimzone, flumetover, flusulfamide, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl-sodium, hexachlorobenzene, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate, irumamycin, methasulfocarb, metrafenone, methyl isothiocyanate, mildiomycin, natamycin, nickel dimethyl dithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb, oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and salts, 2-phenylphenol and salts, piperalin, propanosine-sodium, proquinazid, pyribencarb, pyrroInitrin, quintozene, tecloftalam, tecnazene, triazoxide, trichlamide, valiphenal, zarilamid,
     2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylacetamide,   2-[[[[1-[3-(1-fluoro-2-phenylethyl)oxy]phenyl]ethylidene]amino]oxy]methyl]-alpha-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-alpha-benzacetamide,   cis-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol,   1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylic acid,   2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)pyridine,   2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylbenzopyranon-4-one,   2-chloro-N-(2,3-dihydro-1,1,3-trimethyl-1H-inden-4-yl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide,   3,4,5-trichloro-2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile,   3,4-dichloro-N-(2-cyanophenyl)isothiazole-5-carboxamide (isotianil)   3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine,   5-chloro-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,2-trimethylpropyl] [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-amine,   5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine,   5-chloro-N-[(1R)-1,2-dimethylpropyl]-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-amine,   methyl 2-[[[cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl]thio]methyl]-alpha-(methoxymethylene) benzacetate,   methyl 1-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate,   N-(3′,4′-dichloro-5-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,   N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxybenzamide,   N-(4-chloro-2-nitrophenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methylbenzenesulphonamide,   N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,   N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,   N-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,   N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,   (2S)—N-[2-[4-[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-propynyl]oxy]-3-methoxyphenyl]ethyl]-3-methyl-2-[(methylsulphonyl)amino]butanamide,   N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-benzacetamide,   N-{2-[1,1′-bi(cyclopropyl)-2-yl]phenyl}-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,   N-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide,   N-ethyl-N-methyl-N&#39;-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}-imidoformamide,   O-[1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl]-1H-imidazole-1-carbothioic acid,   2-amino-4-methyl-N-phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxamide,   2,4-dihydro-5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-[[[[143-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene]amino]oxy]methyl]phenyl]-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (CAS No. 185336-79-2),   N-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)cyclopropanecarboxamide,   

     Bactericides: 
     bronopol, dichlorophen, nitrapyrin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, kasugamycin, octhilinone, furancarboxylic acid, oxytetracycline, probenazole, streptomycin, tecloftalam, copper sulphate and other copper preparations. 
     Insecticides/acaricides/nematicides: 
     Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitors 
     Carbamates, 
     for example alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, allyxycarb, aminocarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bufencarb, butacarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, cloethocarb, dimetilan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, fenothiocarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, metam-sodium, methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, promecarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, thiofanox, trimethacarb, XMC, xylylcarb, triazamate 
     Organophosphates, 
     for example acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos (-methyl, -ethyl), bromophos-ethyl, bromfenvinfos (-methyl), butathiofos, cadusafos, carbophenothion, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos (-methyl/-ethyl), coumaphos, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, chlorfenvinphos, demeton-5-methyl, demeton-5-methylsulphone, dialifos, diazinon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, dioxabenzofos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, etrimfos, famphur, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fensulfothion, fenthion, flupyrazofos, fonofos, formothion, fosmethilan, fosthiazate, heptenophos, iodofenphos, iprobenfos, isazofos, isofenphos, isopropyl O-salicylate, isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion (-methyl/-ethyl), phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phosphocarb, phoxim, pirimiphos (-methyl/-ethyl), profenofos, propaphos, propetamphos, prothiofos, prothoate, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion, pyridathion, quinalphos, sebufos, sulfotep, sulprofos, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, triclorfon, vamidothion 
     Sodium channel modulators/voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers 
     Pyrethroids, 
     for example acrinathrin, allethrin (d-cis-trans, d-trans), beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin, bioallethrin-5-cyclopentyl isomer, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, bioresmethrin, chlovaporthrin, cis-cypermethrin, cis-resmethrin, cis-permethrin, clocythrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin (alpha-, beta-, theta-, zeta-), cyphenothrin, deltamethrin, empenthrin (1R-isomer), esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenfluthrin, fenpropathrin, fenpyrithrin, fenvalerate, flubrocythrinate, flucythrinate, flufenprox, flumethrin, fluvalinate, fubfenprox, gamma-cyhalothrin, imiprothrin, kadethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, metofluthrin, permethrin (cis-, trans-), phenothrin (1R-trans-isomer), prallethrin, profluthrin, protrifenbute, pyresmethrin, resmethrin, RU 15525, silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, terallethrin, tetramethrin (1R isomer), tralomethrin, transfluthrin, ZXI 8901, pyrethrins (pyrethrum) 
     DDT 
     Oxadiazines, 
     for example indoxacarb 
     Semicarbazone, 
     for example metaflumizon (BAS3201) 
     Acetylcholine receptor agonists/antagonists 
     Chloronicotinyls, 
     for example acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam 
     Nicotine, bensultap, cartap 
     Acetylcholine receptor modulators 
     Spinosyns, 
     for example spinosad 
     GABA-controlled chloride channel antagonists 
     Organochlorines, 
     for example camphechlor, chlordane, endosulfan, gamma-HCH, HCH, heptachlor, lindane, methoxychlor 
     Fiproles, 
     for example acetoprole, ethiprole, fipronil, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, vaniliprole
 
Chloride channel activators
 
     Mectins, 
     for example abamectin, emamectin, emamectin benzoate, ivermectin, lepimectin, milbemycin 
     Juvenile hormone mimetics, 
     for example diofenolan, epofenonane, fenoxycarb, hydroprene, kinoprene, methoprene, pyriproxifen, triprene 
     Ecdysone agonists/disruptors 
     Diacylhydrazines, 
     for example chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide 
     Chitin biosynthesis inhibitors 
     Benzoylureas, 
     for example bistrifluoron, chlofluazuron, diflubenzuron, fluazuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, penfluoron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron 
     Buprofezin 
     Cyromazine 
     Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors, ATP disruptors 
     Diafenthiuron 
     Organotin compounds, 
     for example azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide 
     Oxidative phosphorylation decouplers acting by interrupting the H-proton gradient 
     Pyrroles, 
     for example chlorfenapyr 
     Dinitrophenols, 
     for example binapacyrl, dinobuton, dinocap, DNOC, meptyldinocap 
     Site-I electron transport inhibitors 
     METIs, 
     for example fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyrimidifen, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad 
     Hydramethylnon 
     Dicofol 
     Site-II electron transport inhibitors 
     Rotenone 
     Site-III electron transport inhibitors 
     Acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim 
     Microbial disruptors of the insect gut membrane 
       Bacillus thuringiensis  strains 
     Lipid synthesis inhibitors 
     Tetronic acids, 
     for example spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, 
     Tetramic acids, 
     for example spirotetramate, cis-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one 
     Carboxamides, 
     for example flonicamid 
     Octopaminergic agonists, 
     for example amitraz 
     Inhibitors of magnesium-stimulated ATPase, 
     Propargite 
     Nereistoxin analogues, 
     for example thiocyclam hydrogen oxalate, thiosultap-sodium 
     Ryanodine receptor agonists, 
     Benzodicarboxamides, 
     for example flubendiamide 
     Anthranilamides, 
     for example Rynaxypyr (3-bromo-N-{4-chloro-2-methyl-6-[(methylamino)carbonyl]phenyl}-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide) 
     Biologicals, hormones or pheromones 
     azadirachtin,  Bacillus  spec.,  Beauveria  spec., codlemone,  Metarrhizium  spec.,  Paecilomyces  spec., thuringiensis,  Verticillium  spec. 
     Active compounds with unknown or unspecific mechanisms of action 
     Fumigants, 
     for example aluminium phosphide, methyl bromide, sulphuryl fluoride 
     Antifeedants, 
     for example cryolite, flonicamid, pymetrozine 
     Mite growth inhibitors, 
     for example clofentezine, etoxazole, hexythiazox 
     Amidoflumet, benclothiaz, benzoximate, bifenazate, bromopropylate, buprofezin, chinomethionat, chlordimeform, chlorobenzilate, chloropicrin, clothiazoben, cycloprene, cyflumetofen, dicyclanil, fenoxacrim, fentrifanil, flubenzimine, flufenerim, flutenzin, gossyplure, hydramethylnone, japonilure, metoxadiazone, petroleum, piperonyl butoxide, potassium oleate, pyridalyl, sulfluramid, tetradifon, tetrasul, triarathene, verbutin 
     A mixture with other known active compounds, such as herbicides, or with fertilizers and growth regulators is also possible. 
     When used as insecticides, the active compound combinations according to the invention can furthermore be present in their commercially available formulations and in the use forms, prepared from these formulations, as a mixture with synergistic agents. Synergistic agents are compounds which increase the action of the active compounds, without it being necessary for the synergistic agent added to be active itself. 
     The active compound content of the use forms prepared from the commercially available formulations can vary within wide limits. The active compound concentration of the use forms can be from 0.0000001 to 95% by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.0001 and 1% by weight. 
     Application is in a manner appropriate for the use forms. 
     When used against hygiene pests and stored-product pests, the active compound combinations are distinguished by an excellent residual action on wood and clay as well as good stability to alkali on limed substrates. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are not only active against plant pests, hygiene pests and stored-product pests, but also, in the veterinary medicine sector, against animal parasites (ectoparasites) such as hard ticks, soft ticks, mange mites, harvest mites, flies (stinging and licking), parasitizing fly larvae, lice, head lice, bird lice and fleas. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are also suitable for controlling arthropods which attack agricultural livestock such as, for example, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, donkeys, camels, buffaloes, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, honey-bees, other domestic animals such as, for example, dogs, cats, caged birds, aquarium fish and so-called experimental animals such as, for example, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats and mice. By controlling these arthropods, cases of death and reductions in productivity (for meat, milk, wool, hides, eggs, honey and the like) should be diminished, so that more economical and simpler animal husbandry is possible by the use of the active compound combinations according to the invention. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are used in the veterinary sector in a known manner by enteral administration in the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, potions, drenches, granules, pastes, boluses, the feed-through method, suppositories, by parenteral administration such as, for example, by injections (intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intravenously, intraperitoneally and the like), implants, by nasal administration, by dermal administration in the form of, for example, immersing or dipping, spraying, pouring-on, spotting-on, washing, dusting, and with the aid of active-compound-comprising moulded articles such as collars, ear tags, tail tags, limb bands, halters, marking devices and the like. 
     When used for cattle, poultry, domestic animals and the like, the active compound combinations can be applied as formulations (for example powders, emulsions, flowables) comprising the active compounds in an amount of 1 to 80% by weight, either directly or after 100- to 10 000-fold dilution, or they may be used as a chemical dip. 
     Moreover, it has been found that the active compound combinations according to the invention show a potent insecticidal action against insects which destroy industrial materials. 
     Industrial materials in the present context are understood as meaning non-living materials such as, preferably, polymers, adhesives, sizes, paper and board, leather, wood, timber products and paints. 
     The material which is to be protected from insect attack is very particularly preferably wood and timber products. 
     Wood and timber products which can be protected by the active compound combination according to the invention, or mixtures comprising it, are to be understood as meaning, for example: 
     construction timber, wooden beams, railway sleepers, bridge components, jetties, vehicles made of wood, boxes, pallets, containers, telephone poles, wood lagging, windows and doors made of wood, plywood, chipboard, joinery, or timber products which quite generally are used in house construction or building joinery. 
     The active compound combinations can be used as such, in the form of concentrates or generally customary formulations such as powders, granules, solutions, suspensions, emulsions or pastes. 
     The abovementioned formulations can be prepared in a manner known per se, for example by mixing the active compounds with at least one solvent or diluent, emulsifier, dispersant and/or binder or fixative, water repellent, if desired desiccants and UV stabilizers, and if desired colorants and pigments and other processing auxiliaries. 
     The insecticidal compositions or concentrates used for protecting wood and timber products comprise the active compound combination according to the invention in a concentration of 0.0001 to 95% by weight, in particular 0.001 to 60% by weight. 
     The amount of composition or concentrate employed depends on the species and the abundance of the insects and on the medium. The optimal quantity to be employed can be determined in each case by test series upon application. In general, however, it will suffice to employ 0.0001 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.001 to 10% by weight, of the active compound, based on the material to be protected. 
     A suitable solvent and/or diluent is an organochemical solvent or solvent mixture and/or an oily or oil-type organochemical solvent or solvent mixture of low volatility and/or a polar organochemical solvent or solvent mixture and/or water and, if appropriate, an emulsifier and/or wetter. 
     Organochemical solvents which are preferably employed are oily or oil-type solvents with an evaporation number of above 35 and a flashpoint of above 30° C., preferably above 45° C. Such oily and oil-type solvents which are insoluble in water and of low volatility and which are used are suitable mineral oils or their aromatic fractions or mineral-oil-containing solvent mixtures, preferably white spirit, petroleum and/or alkylbenzene. 
     Mineral oils with a boiling range of 170 to 220° C., white spirit with a boiling range of 170 to 220° C., spindle oil with a boiling range of 250 to 350° C., petroleum and aromatics with a boiling range of 160 to 280° C., oil of turpentine, and the like are advantageously used. 
     In a preferred embodiment, liquid aliphatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range of 180 to 210° C. or high-boiling mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range of 180 to 220° C. and/or spindle oil and/or monochloronaphthalene, preferably α-monochloronaphthalene, are used. 
     The organic oily or oil-type solvents of low volatility and with an evaporation number of above 35 and a flashpoint of above 30° C., preferably above 45° C., can be replaced in part by organochemical solvents of high or medium volatility, with the proviso that the solvent mixture also has an evaporation number of above 35 and a flashpoint of above 30° C., preferably above 45° C., and that the mixture is soluble or emulsifiable in this solvent mixture. 
     In a preferred embodiment, some of the organochemical solvent or solvent mixture is replaced by an aliphatic polar organochemical solvent or solvent mixture. Aliphatic organochemical solvents which contain hydroxyl and/or ester and/or ether groups are preferably used, such as, for example, glycol ethers, esters or the like. 
     Organochemical binders used for the purposes of the present invention are the synthetic resins and/or binding drying oils which are known per se and which can be diluted in water and/or dissolved or dispersed or emulsified in the organochemical solvents employed, in particular binders composed of, or comprising, an acrylate resin, a vinyl resin, for example polyvinyl acetate, polyester resin, polycondensation or polyaddition resin, polyurethane resin, alkyd resin or modified alkyd resin, phenol resin, hydrocarbon resin such as indene/coumarone resin, silicone resin, drying vegetable oils and/or drying oils and/or physically drying binders based on a natural and/or synthetic resin. 
     The synthetic resin employed as binder can be employed in the form of an emulsion, dispersion or solution. Bitumen or bituminous substances may also be used as binders, in amounts of up to 10% by weight. In addition, colourants, pigments, water repellents, odour-masking agents, and inhibitors or anticorrosive agents and the like, all of which are known per se, can be employed. 
     In accordance with the invention, the composition or the concentrate preferably comprises, as organochemical binders, at least one alkyd resin or modified alkyd resin and/or a drying vegetable oil. Alkyd resins which are preferably used in accordance with the invention are those with an oil content of over 45% by weight, preferably 50 to 68% by weight. 
     Some or all of the abovementioned binder can be replaced by a fixative (mixture) or plasticizer (mixture). These additives are intended to prevent volatilization of the active compounds, and also crystallization or precipitation. They preferably replace 0.01 to 30% of the binder (based on 100% of binder employed). 
     The plasticizers are from the chemical classes of the phthalic esters, such as dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate or benzyl butyl phthalate, phosphoric esters such as tributyl phosphate, adipic esters such as di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, stearates such as butyl stearate or amyl stearate, oleates such as butyl oleate, glycerol ethers or higher-molecular-weight glycol ethers, glycerol esters and p-toluenesulphonic esters. 
     Fixatives are based chemically on polyvinyl alkyl ethers such as, for example, polyvinyl methyl ether, or ketones such as benzophenone and ethylenebenzophenone. 
     Other suitable solvents or diluents are, in particular, water, if appropriate as a mixture with one or more of the abovementioned organochemical solvents or diluents, emulsifiers and dispersants. 
     Particularly effective timber protection is achieved by industrial-scale impregnating processes, for example the vacuum, double-vacuum or pressure processes. 
     The ready-to-use compositions may, if appropriate, comprise further insecticides and, if appropriate, also one or more fungicides. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention can equally be employed for protecting objects which come into contact with saltwater or brackish water, such as hulls, screens, nets, buildings, quaysides and signalling systems, against fouling. 
     Fouling by sessile Oligochaeta, such as Serpulidae, and by shells and species from the Ledamorpha group (goose barnacles), such as various  Lepas  and  Scalpellum  species, or by species from the Balanomorpha group (acorn barnacles), such as  Balanus  or  Pollicipes  species, increases the frictional drag of ships and, as a consequence, leads to a marked increase in operation costs owing to higher energy consumption and additionally frequent stops in the dry dock. 
     Apart from fouling by algae, for example  Ectocarpus  sp. and  Ceramium  sp., fouling by sessile Entomostraka groups, which come under the generic term Cirripedia (cirriped crustaceans), is of particular importance. 
     The active compound combinations according to the invention are also suitable for controlling animal pests, in particular insects, arachnids and mites, which are found in enclosed spaces such as, for example, dwellings, factory halls, offices, vehicle cabins and the like. They can be employed in domestic insecticide products for controlling these pests either alone or in combination with other active compounds and auxiliaries. They are active against sensitive and resistant species and against all developmental stages. 
     Application in the field of the domestic insecticides can also be effected in combination with other suitable active compounds such as phosphoric esters, carbamates, pyrethroids, growth regulators or active compounds from other known classes of insecticides. 
     They are used in aerosols, pressure-free spray products, for example pump and atomizer sprays, automatic fogging systems, foggers, foams, gels, evaporator products with evaporator tablets made of cellulose or polymer, liquid evaporators, gel and membrane evaporators, propeller-driven evaporators, energy-free, or passive, evaporation systems, moth papers, moth bags and moth gels, as granules or dusts, in baits for spreading or in bait stations. 
     When applying the active compound combinations according to the invention, the application rates can be varied within a substantial range, depending on the type of application. In the treatment of plant parts, the application rates of active compound combination are generally between 0.1 and 10 000 g/ha, preferably between 10 and 1000 g/ha. 
     The good insecticidal action of the active compound combinations according to the invention can be seen from the examples which follow. While the individual active compounds exhibit weaknesses with regard to the action, the combinations demonstrate an action which exceeds a simple summation of action. 
     Formula for the calculation of the kill rate of a combination of two active compounds 
     The expected activity for a given combination of two active compounds can be calculated (cf. COLBY, S. R.; “Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 15, pages 20-22, 1967): 
     if
     X=the kill rate, expressed in % of the untreated control, when employing active compound A at an application rate of m ppm,   Y=the kill rate, expressed in % of the untreated control, when employing active compound B at an application rate of n ppm,   E=the kill rate, expressed in % of the untreated control, when employing active compounds A and B at application rates of m and n ppm, then   

     
       
         
           
             E 
             = 
             
               X 
               + 
               Y 
               - 
               
                 
                   X 
                   × 
                   Y 
                 
                 100 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     If the actual insecticidal kill rate is higher than the calculated one, the kill rates of the combination are superadditive, i.e. a synergistic effect is present. In this case, the kill rate that is actually observed has to be higher than the value, calculated using the formula above, for the expected kill rate (E). 
     EXAMPLE A 
       Meloidogyne incognita  Test (MELGIN) 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Solvent: 
                 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide 
               
               
                   
                 Emulsifier: 
                 2 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration. 
     Vessels are filled with soil, solution of active compound,  Meloidogyne incognita  egg/larvae suspension and lettuce seeds. The lettuce seeds germinate and plants develop. On the roots, galls are formed. 
     After the desired period of time, the nematicidal action is determined in % by the formation of galls. 100% means that no galls have been found; 0% means that the number of galls on the treated plants corresponds to that of the untreated control. 
     In this test, the following active compound combination according to the present application showed a synergistically enhanced activity compared to the active compounds applied on their own: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE A 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Plant-damaging insects 
               
               
                 Meloidogyne incognita test 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Concentration 
                 Kill 
               
               
                 Active compound 
                 in ppm 
                 in % after 21 d   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Oxamyl 
                 0.125 
                 24  
               
               
                 Clothianidin 
                 2 
                 0 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Oxamyl + Clothianidin (1:16) 
                   
                 found* 
                 calc.** 
               
               
                 according to the invention 
                 0.125 + 2 
                 50 
                 24 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Imidacloprid 
                 2 
                 0 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Oxamyl + Imidacloprid (1:16) 
                   
                 found* 
                 calc.** 
               
               
                 according to the invention 
                 0.125 + 2 
                 70 
                 24 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *found = activity found 
               
               
                 **calc. = activity calculated using Colby&#39;s formula