Interactive Effects of <i>Comamonas</i> sp. <scp>C2</scp> , <i>Rhodococcus</i> sp. <scp>MG1</scp> , <i>Planococcus</i> sp. <scp>KIC5</scp> With Broflanilide and Cyantraniliprole in Managing <scp> <i>Spodoptera litura</i> </scp>

ABSTRACT Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), commonly known as the tobacco caterpillar, is a polyphagous lepidopteran pest that threatens over 389 plant species, including major crops like cotton, soybean, groundnut, maize and vegetables. S. litura can inflict devastating losses, reaching up to 100.00% in economically important crops. Conventional pest control primarily relies on synthetic insecticides (e.g., carbamates, organophosphates, pyrethroids), which, although effective, have raised concerns about their negative environmental, health, and resistance impacts. Thus, there is a pressing need for sustainable alternatives. The integration of selected entomopathogenic bacteria with new‐chemistry insecticides offers a promising, eco‐friendly pest management strategy against S. litura . This study investigated the combined effects of entomopathogenic bacteria Comamonas sp. (C2), Rhodococcus sp. (MG1), Planococcus sp. (KIC5) with new chemistry insecticides (Broflanilide and Cyantraniliprole) against S. litura larvae, aiming to enhance pest control while reducing chemical load. The study revealed strong synergistic effects when insecticides were alternated with KIC5 every 24 h. LC 30 Cyantraniliprole + LC 50 KIC5 resulted in 98.00% mortality ( χ 2 = 13.23), while LC 30 Broflanilide + LC 50 KIC5 achieved 100.00% mortality ( χ 2 = 11.84). These combinations also caused the highest genotoxic effects. Overall, integrating and alternating chemical and microbial control help to reduce insecticide load, lower environmental and health risks, protect beneficial insects and delay resistance development.