[Aim] To understand the effect of Chromolaena odorata extract on the growth and reproduction of Spodoptera litura. [Method] In the laboratory, banana leaves were treated with different concentrations of aqueous extracts of C. odorata were used to feed S. litura larvae. The growth and development of S. litura were observed and recorded. [Result] With increasing concentrations of C. odorata extract, the development duration of larvae and pupae of S. litura gradually increased, and the weight of pupae gradually decreased. The development durations of larvae and pupae were the longest under the mother liquor (50 mg·mL^-1) treatment and compared with the control group were prolonged by 7.92 and 2.88 days, respectively. The pupae treated with the mother liquor had the lowest weight, which decreased by 25.4% compared with the control group. The survival rate of the young instar larvae of S. litura decreased with C. odorata extract, and there was no significant effect on the survival rate of old instar larvae and pupae. With an increase in the concentration of C. odorata extract, the net reproductive rate (R₀), intrinsic rate of increase(r_m), and finite rate of increase (λ) of S. litura gradually decreased, and the mean generation time (T) and doubling time (t) gradually increased. [Conclusion] C. odorata has a certain potential in the biological control of S. litura, and can be used in the development of biological pesticides for S. litura.