Abstract: N-(4-Pyridyl)methylsulfonamides for combating arthropodal pests The present invention relates to the use of N-(4-pyridyl)methylsulfonamides of the formula for combating arthropodal pests (harmful arthropodes) and for protecting materials against infestation and/or destruction by said pests: (I) where the substituents are as follows: R1 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C2-C4-alkenyl, C2-C4-alkynyl or benzyl; R2, R3, R4, R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy or C1-C4-haloalkyl; R2 and R3 or R4 and R5 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached may also form a condensed 5- or 6-membered hydro-carbon ring, it being possible for the hydrocarbon ring to carry one or two groups R2?, R3?, R2?, R3? independently of one another are halogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, halomethoxy or halomethyl; X is a cyclic radical selected from phenyl, naphthyl and five- or six-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycles, the heter