In an endeavour to explore secondary metabolites as an important and safe means of pest management, we investigated the effects of pyrogallol, a phenolic compound, on the growth and development of Spodoptera litura (Fab.). It is a serious pest of a large number of economically important crops. Different concentrations viz., 1, 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125 ppm of pyrogallol were incorporated in artificial diet of larvae and the antibiosis influence was ascertained by feeding second instar larvae on this diet. The larval and total development period increased significantly with increase in concentration of the pyrogallol. Inhibitory effects of the compound were observed on per cent pupation, per cent emergence and adult longevity. All nutritional indices were also significantly affected. Thus it can be considered as a promising substance to be used as a biopesticide against the insect pest.