Benzyl esters of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is methyl, ethyl, halogen, methoxy or ethoxy, R.sup.2 is alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl, bicycloalkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -substituted cycloalkenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-substituted bicycloalkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 -alkyl-substituted bicycloalkenyl, R.sup.3 is hydrogen, cyano, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, A is the carboxylate radical of an acid component typical for pyrethroids and X is hydrogen or halogen, with the proviso that R.sup.2 is not CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH--B when B is hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl and at the same time R.sup.1 is methyl or halogen, and furthermore with the proviso that R.sup.2 is not methyl when R.sup.1 is methyl, their manufacture, their use for combating pests, and precursors for manufacturing the benzyl esters.