The relationship between temperature and development of Spodoptera litura was simulated by the sine model V(T) = A + B sin(C0 + C1eC3T + C2e-C3T), and the threshold temperature and thermal requirement for its development at different stages were estimated by the direct optimum method. The model for the relationship between temperature and survival rate was fitted by the experimental data. The theoretical optimum temperature for the development of eggs, young instar larvae, old instar larvae and pupae was 26.7, 24.7, 24.9 and 25.8 degrees C, respectively. The life table parameters under different feed conditions (cabbage, lotus, sweet potato, soybean leaves) were estimated by the method of bisexual life table with age-structure. At temperature 25 degrees C, the intrinsic rates of increase under the four different feed conidtions were 0.1836, 0.1719, 0.1778 and 0.1206, respectively.