ABSTRACT Plants represent a huge source of substances, with pharmacological potential. Brazil has a diversity of agricultural insect pests and an urgent need for safer methods of insect control. Dysdercus peruvianus (Guerin-Meneville, 1831), Pyrrhocoridae, is an economically important species of the Order Hemiptera and a pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., Malvaceae). Secondary metabolites in stems of Clusia hilariana Schltdl., Clusiaceae, such as terpenes and benzophenones, have been reported to be insecticidal. The present study investigated the effects of semi-purified fractions of hexane crude extracts from male C. hilariana stems on development of D. peruvianus. Biological parameters at different stages of development including body malformations, range of molting period and toxicity were evaluated. Most insects died and failed to develop due to attachment of their exuviae to the abdomen. Deformations of wings and defective tarsi also occurred. The secondary metabolites from semi-purified fractions of C. hilariana caused mortality, interference in molting and metamorphosis, and body deformations, probably by interacting with the neuroendocrine system. The results demonstrate the potential of C. hilariana extracts as an alternative for the control of the phytophagous insect D. peruvianus and for the development of environmentally safe and biodegradable bio insecticides.