[Objectives]  To determine the effect of different vegetable host plants on the growth, development, and reproduction, of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). [Methods]  Cotton mealybugs were fed on either potato, Solanum tuberosum (Tubiflorae: Solanaceae), purple sweet potato Ipomoea batatas, (Tubiflorae: Convolvulaceae), cucumber, Cucumis sativus Linn. (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae), lettuce, Lactuca sativa (Asterales: Asteraceae) and cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae), in a laboratory at (25±1)℃, 60%±5% r.h. and 14 hours daily artificial light. The developmental duration and fecundity of mealybugs fed on each different vegetable were measured and used to calculate life tables. [Results]  The shortest developmental generation duration, and the highest average survival rate, was observed on potato, and the longest developmental duration and lowest survival rate was on cucumber. The highest female longevity was observed on lettuce, and the highest male longevity was on potato. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) on different vegetable hosts was, from high to low, potato, solanum tuberdsm, lettuce, cabbage and cucumber. [Conclusion]  Our results suggest that different vegetables had a significant effect on population growth parameters of P. solenopsis, and that potato was the most suitable of the five vegetables tested for the growth and reproduction of this species.