Benzanilides of the formula: in which X represents hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C1-6 alkylthio, C1-6 alkylsulfinyl, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl or C1-6 alkylsulfonyloxy; Y represents halogen or C1-6 alkyl; R1 represents C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylthio C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylsulfinyl-C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkylsulfonyl-C1-6 alkyl; R2 represents hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 haloalkyl; R3 represents hydrogen or hydroxy; W represents CH or N; and Q represents optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl wherein the substituent is at least one group selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 haloalkoxy, C1-6 haloalkylthio, C1-6 haloalkylsulfinyl and C1-6 haloalkylsulfoxy; provided that when R3 is hydroxy, R2 is not C1-6 alkyl, or when R2 is C1-6 haloalkyl, R3 is hydroxy, W is CH, and the substituents of Q are two or more C1-6 haloalkyl. Insecticides comprising the benzanilides are herein provided.