The efficacy of the Taxodium distichum (L.)ethanol extract fruits and the chitin synthesis inhibiting insecticide, lufenuron on 4^th instar  of larvae Spodoptera littoralis and determination of the possible damage induced to cuticle and head capsule were evaluated. The sublethal concentration LC₅₀swere(10490 & 1.41 ppm) for T. distichum ethanolic extract and lufenuron, respectively. The ethanolic extract of T. distichum was analyzed by (GC-MS). The major compounds were Ferruginol (16.96%), Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (10.03%), piperine (6.81%), 3alpha,12beta-Dihydroxy-5beta-cholan-2,4-oic acid methyl ester (4.53%), Didecyl phthalate (4.03%) and Octadecane,1-[2-(hexadecyloxy) ethoxy] (2.94%). The scanning electron microscope observations clearly revealed that the two compounds have approximately similar disrupting effects on external morphology of cuticle and head capsule, as disrupted dark zones in the cuticle with shrinking, double head capsule formation, dwarfed with indistinct structures of head capsule and some deformities noticed in the mouth parts of treated larvae. The variation in some carbohydrases, chitinase, proteinase and phenol oxidase enzymes activities could be attributed due to tested materials. The ethanolic extract of T. distichum fruits could be a promising agent for pest control programs.