The use of nicotinic anilide derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## where the substituents have the following meanings: R.sup.1 halogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, methylthio, methylsulfinyl, methylsulfonylR.sup.2 unsubstituted or halogen-substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or halogen-substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, unsubstituted or halogen-substituted alkoxy, unsubstituted or halogen-substituted alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkenyloxyfor combating Botrytis, and nicotinic anilides of the formula I.