[Objectives]  To investigate the effects of the non-volatile, secondary substance capsaicin on detoxification enzymes in adult female Frankliniella occidentalis. [Methods]  Adult female F. occidentalis were fed bean leaf juice to which different concentrations of capsaicin had been added. Detoxification of the enzymes carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferase (GSTs)，acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and mixed function oxidase (MFO), were determined after F. occidentalis had fed for 48, 72 and 96 h. [Results]  Exposure to lower concentrations of capsaicin was followed by a significant increase in GSTs, AChE and MFO activity, but exposure to higher concentrations was followed by a significant decrease in the activity of these enzymes. CarE activity was inhibited by all capsaicin concentrations. No significant interaction between capsaicin concentration and treatment time was apparent for GSTs and AChE, but was for CarE and MFO; the longer the treatment time, the more significant the effect. [Conclusion]  The activities of detoxification enzymes in adult female F. occidentalis changed significantly under capsaicin treatment, which indicates that F. occidentalis are able use certain detoxification enzymes to detoxify capsaicin. The magnitude of changes in detoxification enzyme activity were affected by dose and the duration of exposure.