The invention discloses 3-substituted phenyl propionaldehyde thiosemicarbazone compounds, and a preparation method and application thereof. The structures of the compounds are shown as a formula I, wherein R is any one of 4-F, 4-Cl, 2-Cl, 2,4-Cl2, 4-OCH3, 2-OCH3, 3-OCH3, 4-OC2H5, 4-NO2, 2-NO2, 4-CH3, 4-isopropyl, 3-Br and 2,4-dimethoxy. The preparation method comprises the following step of performing condensation reaction on substituted phenyl propionaldehyde shown as a formula II with thiosemicarbazide in an organic solvent in the presence of an acidic compound to obtain the 3-substituted phenyl propionaldehyde thiosemicarbazone compounds. The research on inhibition activity of heliothis armigera tyrosinase by the compounds of the formula I proves that the compounds have better inhibition effect on the heliothis armigera tyrosinase and can serve as an insect tyrosinase inhibitor for preventing and controlling pests.