In this study some selected insecticides were evaluated for their effect on gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L., (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) under laboratory conditions. Diflubenzuron, methoxyfenozide, triflumuron, fenoxycarb, fenoxycarb + lufenuron, Bacillus thuringiensis 50% subsp. kurstaki + Bacillus thuringiensis 50% subsp. aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai and spinosad were used in the recommended concentration, against the 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th larval instars of L. dispar. The effectiveness of the above insecticides as well as the speed of action (LTime 50 and LTime 90 ) expressed in days, were examined in detail. Spinosad and methoxyfenozide presents a relatively higher speed of action in relation to the other insecticides. LTime 50 of spinosad and methoxyfenozide did not differ significantly among the first three larval instars and ranged from 0 to 0.61 and 1.13 to 1.74 days, respectively. Regarding IGRs, the mixture (fenoxycarb + lufenuron) and triflumuron were the most effective in relation to the other IGRs tested. Moreover, Bacillus thuringiensis toxins were effective only against the first two larval instars.