Composition for controlling animal pests comprises a synergistic mixture of clothianidine (1-(2-chloro-5-thiazolylmethyl)-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine) and abamectin, emamectin (or emamectin benzoate), methiocarb, beta -cyfluthrin and/or lambda-cyhalothrin. An independent claim is also included for production of pesticides by mixing a synergistic mixture as above with diluents and/or surfactants. ACTIVITY : Insecticide Acaricide Nematocide. The LC 5 0 of beta -cyfluthrin and clothianidine (1:6) against Heliothis armigera larvae on soya leaves was 0.1 ppm, compared with 0.159 ppm for beta -cyfluthrin and 0.997 ppm for clothianidine. MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.