[Objectives]  To determine the effect of drought stress on the growth, development, reproduction and population dynamics of Bradysia cellarum Frey. [Methods]  Based on an age-stage, two-sex life table, the life table and fecundity parameters of B. cellarum were calculated under dry and wet soil conditions. The effects of drought stress were further verified using a drought treatment experiment during the adult stage. [Results]  Drought treatment significantly prolonged the developmental duration of the egg, 1st instar, 2nd instar and pupal, stages relative to the control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, female fecundity was 37.8% less than that of the control group. The net reproductive rate (R₀), intrinsic growth rate (r) and limited growth rate (λ) were also significantly less in the drought treatment group than in the control (P<0.05). The oviposition rate and number of eggs laid by the drought treatment group were 5% and 1.30, respectively, significantly less than the corresponding values of 100% and 85.50 for the control group (P<0.05). Eggs failed to hatch when adults were unable to obtain juice from chives. [Conclusion]  The population dynamics of B. cellarum are adversely affected by drought conditions and populations are unable to survive if the relative soil moisture content is 10% or less. These results provide a scientific basis for controlling B. cellarum through managing soil moisture content.