[Objectives]  To illustrate the effect of temperature on different developmental stages of Callosobruchus chinensis, including subsequent development and reproductive capacity. [Methods]  Different developmental stages of C. chinensis, which had been raised at 27 ℃ (the control temperature), were exposed to higher temperatures (30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45 ℃) for 3 hours. [Results]  The hatching rate of eggs, pupation rate of larvae and the eclosion rate of pupae significantly decreased with exposure to higher temperatures, but exposure to higher temperatures had no significant effect on the subsequent development of eggs and larvae. Larvae were more heat tolerant than pupae having a pupation rate of > 90% after short-term heat stress, but pupae also had a relatively high eclosion rate after exposure to 45 ℃. However, adults that emerged from pupae exposed to 45 ℃ had a significantly shortened life span and reduced egg production. There were gender differences in the heat stress tolerance of eggs, larvae and adults and short-term heat stress also had a significant effect on fecundity. Average egg production was 32.30 after exposure to 45 ℃, significantly lower than that of the control. [Conclusion]  Short-term exposure to temperatures above 39 ℃ have a significant effect on the hatching, pupation and eclosion rates, and the sex ratio, of C. chinensis. Exposing pupae to heat stress decreased the reproductive capacity of adults.