[Objectives]  To clarify the status of insecticide resistance in western flower thrips (WFT) in China and to provide baseline data to improve the control of these pests. [Methods]  The resistance of WFT to several insecticides, including spinosyns, was evaluated in Beijing and Yunnan from 2011 to 2015 using the leaf tube residue method. [Results]  Populations of WFT in parts of Beijing had developed 80- to 150-fold resistance to spinosad compared to a susceptible strain. The resistance ratio to spinetoram was as high as 7 730-fold and the LC₅₀ value to spinetoram had increased by a maximum of 258 times the initial value over the last five years. Resistance to emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam was moderate，and thrips had either low resistance, or were susceptible, to chlorfenapyr and abamectin. Populations of WFT in Kunming, Yunnan Province had developed 305-fold resistance to spinetoram, but were either susceptible, or had low level resistance, to other insecticides. [Conclusion]  Populations of western flower thrips in Beijing and Yunnan have developed high levels of resistance to spinosyns. This trend should be followed closely and the mechanism underlying resistance to spinosyns further investigated.