[Aim]  To determine the best prey species for the large-scale, captive rearing of Harmonia axyridis. [Methods] Reproductive life tables were compiled for H. axyridis populations that were fed on one of four prey species; Myzus persica, Aphis craccivora, 1st and 2nd instar larvae of Spodoptera litura or Argyrogramma agnata, and the effects of prey species on their growth, development and reproduction, of each population were compared. [Results]  Prey species had a significant effect on the larval period, survival rate, the pre-oviposition period, average fecundity and hatchability (P<0.05). Specifically, H. axyridis fed on Ap. craccivora and M. persica had shorter larval periods [(8.38±0.42) and (9.25±0.39) d, respectively] and higher survival rates (91.70%±7.50% and 90.00%±6.30%, respectively), than those that were fed on Ar. agnata larvae [(10.58± 0.49) d and 58.30%±7.50%, respectively) and S. litura [(10.95±0.66) d and 50.00%±8.90%, respectively] (P<0.05). Approximately 90% of H. axyridis that were fed S. litura larvae were unable to lay eggs. However, those that were fed Ap. craccivora, M. persica and Ar. agnata larvae laid eggs normally, had a shorter pre-oviposition period and higher egg hatching rate. The pre-oviposition periods of H. axyridis that were fed the above prey species were (5.48±0.17), (5.87±0.27), and (5.70±0.30) d, the average fecundities were (792.47±60.89), (604.87±77.17) and (167.93±47.73) grains/female, and the egg hatching rates were 93.83%±6.89%, 94.07%± 4.46% and 90.94%±7.16%. [Conclusion]  Ap. craccivora and M. persica larvae and the 1st and 2nd instar larvae of Ar. agnata were the most suitable of the four prey evaluated for captive rearing H. axyridis. When the number of aphids is insufficient, 1st and 2nd instar larvae of Ar. agnata can be provided as an alternative. These results should improve the large-scale, artificial breeding of H. axyridis.