Structural characteristics that influence on the insecticidal activity ($pI_{50}$) of 2-(n-octyl)isothiourea analogues (1-45) against the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella, L.) based on three dimensional quantitative structure activity relationships (3D-QSARs) were discussed quantitatively using a comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and a comparative molecular similarity indeces analysis (CoMSIA) methods. The statistical values of the CoMFA 2 model were better than those of the CoMSIA 1 model. The CoMFA 2 model was the optimized model with the correlativity (the training set: Ave. = 0.104 & PRESS = 0.613) and the predictability (the test set: Ave. = 0.086 & PRESS = 0.096). Insecticidal activities with the optimized CoMFA 2 model were dependent upon steric factors (79.4%) of $R_1-R_3$ substituents. From the analytical results of CoMFA contour maps, it is predicted that the R1 substituent of 1-45 which has a steric favor in a broad space, $R_2;and;R_3$ groups with a steric favor in a narrow space and a H-bond donor favor would have better the insecticidal activity.