[Objectives]  To investigate the reproductive behavior of Pectinophora gassypiella in order to establish a basis for using sex pheromones to monitor and control this pest. [Methods]  The effects of age and mating history on the courtship and mating behavior of P. gossypiella females were studied in a laboratory. [Results]  The courtship and mating behavior of P. gossypiella could only be observed in the scotophase. Females commenced calling 5 h after dark, reaching a peak in the 7^th-9^th hour of the scotophase. Mating mostly occurred 6.5 h after dark, reaching a peak during the 8^th and the 9^th hour of the scotophase. Age was closely related to the percentage of time spent calling and mating, number of calling bouts, time of first calling, and calling duration. The percentage of time calling reached a maximum at 1-13 days of age. The mean number of calling bouts, and calling duration during the peak period, remained at a high level from day 4 to day 15 and the time of first calling advanced with age. The mating peak occurred on the day of emergence, after which the mating frequency of females decreased with age. Compared to virgin females, the average longevity of mated females and those that had mated multiple times was relatively low, but this difference was not significant. The courtship rate and courtship duration of mated females were lower than those of virgin females. [Conclusion]  The courtship and mating behavior of P. gossypiella was closely related to female age. There was a significant negative correlation between mating and longevity in females (r=－0.350，P=0.000<0.01). Mating also affected the percentage of time spent calling and calling duration.