The present invention relates to the use of selective insecticidal compositions, characterized by an effective amount of an active compound combination comprising (a) (1) at least one haloalkylnicotinic acid derivative of the formula (I) in which A and R are as defined in the description, or (2)at least one phthalic acid diamide of the formula (II) in which XB, R1B, R2B, R3B, LlB, L2B and L3B are as defined in the description, or (3) at least one anthranilamide of the formula (III) in which AIC, A2C, Xc, RIC, R2C, R3C, R4C, R5C, R7C, R8C and R9C are as defined in the description, and (b) at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound from the group of compounds given in the description, in particular cloquintocet-mexyl, isoxadifen-ethyl and mefenpyr-diethyl for controlling insects and/or arachnids, and a method for controlling insects and/or arachnids using the compositions.
