[Objectives]  To compare the effect of different intensities of yellow LED light on the development of Ectropis grisescens Warren, and thereby provide a theoretical basis for the environmentally-friendly prevention and control of this pest. [Methods]  Fifth generation first instar larvae were reared on fresh leaves and randomly assigned to one of 5 yellow-light treatment groups plus a control group, with 80 larvae in each group. During the day (7:00-19:00) all treatment groups were subject to 12 h illumination from an ordinary fluorescent lamp (150-200 lx). During the night (19:00-7:00) the five treatment groups were exposed to different intensities (17, 27, 37, 40, 80 and 120 lx) of yellow light (590-600 nm) for 12 h, while the control group was kept in darkness over the same period. The larval period duration, survival rate, pupal weight, adult emergence rate, pre-oviposition period, duration of oviposition, female fecundity, adult longevity and hatching rate, of each group, were measured and compared. [Results]  The larval period and survival rate of the 120 lx treatment group were significantly longer (13.28 d) than those of the control group, the survival rate significantly lower (1%), and fourth and fifth instar larvae pupated later. The intensity of yellow light significantly affected the eclosion rate, female fecundity and duration of oviposition; these parameters were 50%, 34.68% and 3.14 d lower, respectively, in the 120 lx treatment group than in the control group. The hatching rate in all treatment groups was lower than in the control group; 83.77%, 82% and 86.89% lower, respectively in the 40, 80 and 120 lx treatment groups. [Conclusion]  Exposure to 40, 80 and 120 lx yellow LED light significantly reduced the adult longevity, emergence rate, female fecundity and hatching rate of E. grisescens, and prolonged larval development. These results suggest that yellow LED lights could be an environmentally-friendly way of controlling E. grisescens in tea plantations.