Abstract  [Aim]  The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, is an important agricultural pest. Evaluating and optimizing artificial diets is crucial when rearing A. gossypii for biological and ecological research. [Methods] Using previous studies, five different artificial diets (diets Ⅰ-Ⅴ) were developed for A. gossypii based on the nutritional composition of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and sucrose. The diets had a pH of 7.6 and a sucrose concentration of 25%. The optimal diet formula was determined by comparing the survival rate and fecundity of adults fed on each diet. Additionally, survival rate, development duration, progeny production rate, fecundity, longevity, and life table parameters were compared between A. gossypii fed on cotton plants with those fed on the optimal diet formula containing 25% or 30% (diet VI) sucrose. [Results]  Aphids fed diet V exhibited the highest survival rate and fecundity. A. gossypii completed an entire generation on both diets Ⅴ and VI, and the progeny production rate was 100% for both diets. Aphids fed on diets Ⅴ, VI, and cotton plants had a longevity of 15.39 d, 13.52 d, and 20.29 d, respectively. Additionally, they had a fecundity of 16.99, 16.85, and 26.73, respectively, and an innate capacity for increase of, 0.24, 0.23, and 0.29, respectively. [Conclusion]  Following a comprehensive comparison of all parameters and considering cost-effectiveness, diet Ⅴ containing 25% sucrose was determined to be the optimal diet for rearing A. gossypii.