NEW MATERIAL:The compound of formula I [R is lower alkyl; R1 is (phenyl- substituted) alkyl or lower alkyl-substituted phenoxy; X is O, S or NH].

EXAMPLE: 3-(p-Neopentylphenoxy)propyl isobutyl ether.

USE: Useful as an insecticide. It has excellent juvenile hormone activity and exhibits extremely high exterminating effect against insects of Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, etc. It can be used as it is, however, it is used generally in the form of wettable powder, flowable, etc.

PREPARATION: The compound of formula II can be produced e.g. by reacting a compound of formula II (Hal is halogen) with a compound of formula RXH in an organic solvent (e.g. acetonitrile) in the presence of a base (e.g. pyridine) at a temperature between 50°C and the boiling point of the solvent.