[Aim]  To compare the larval survival and development, adult longevity and reproduction, population life table parameters, of Euzophera pyriella larvae reared on three different artificial diets, and the relative cost effectiveness of each diet. [Methods]  E. pyriella larvae were randomly assigned to one of three potential artificial diet treatment groups after which the survival, development, adult longevity, reproduction and life table parameters of each group were compared. These data were then used to assess the cost effectiveness of rearing larvae on each diet. [Results]  Larvae were able to complete their life cycle on all three artificial diets. Compared to the previously developed A and B diets, the newly developed diet C significantly improved the larval development rate, survival rate, pupal weight and egg hatching rate (P<0.05). Larval survival increased from 75.00% and 60.00% on diets A and B, to 91.67% on diet C. Furthermore, the population parameters of E. pyriella raised on diet C, including the net reproductive rate (R₀), the intrinsic rate of increase (r), and the finite rate of increase (λ), were also significantly higher (P<0.05). The intrinsic rate of increase (r) increased from 0.057 and 0.059 on diets A and B, to 0.079 on diet C. The estimated cost of successfully rearing one pupa on diet C was 0.10 CNY, representing a saving of 37.50% and 60.00% relative to diets A and B, respectively. [Conclusion]  Based on rearing efficiency and cost, artificial diet C is superior to diets A and B for the multi-generational rearing of E. pyriella under laboratory conditions.