2,4-Dodecadienoic acid esters and use for insecticides

An insecticidal composition containing as an essential active ingredient a metamorphosis inhibiting amount of a polyene compound of the formula:

• ##SPC20##
• wherein R is lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or a cyclopropylmethyl group, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.6 are each hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each hydrogen or methyl, Y is oxygen;
• X is --COOR.sub.7, wherein R.sub.7 is lower alkyl;
• n and p may be zero or 1 and m is an integer from zero to 2 inclusive;
• in association with a compatible carrier material.

A process for protecting materials from insect pests which comprises applying to said materials an effective amount of a metamorphosis inhibiting composition containing a polyene compound of the formula:

• ##SPC21##
• wherein R is lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or a cyclopropylmethyl group, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.6 are each hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each hydrogen or methyl, Y is oxygen;
• X is --COOR.sub.7, wherein R.sub.7 is lower alkyl;
• n and p may be zero or 1 and m is an integer from zero to 2 inclusive and a compatible carrier.