[Objectives]  To determine the resistance of Aphis gossypii to different pesticides and identify those that are safer for Hippodamia variegata. [Methods]  The number of A. gossypii and H. variegata larvae and adults in each plot after the application of 13 different pesticides from 8 different types was quantified using the five-point sampling and visual methods. The effect of each pesticide on A. gossypii, the corrected rate of decrease of larvae and adults of H. variegata, and the ratio of H. variegata to A. gossypii, were also measured. [Results] A. gossypii were more susceptible to sulfoxaflor, flonicamid and afidopyropen, which at 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after application had reduced numbers by 73.53%-97.46%, respectively. The ratio of H. variegata to A. gossypii was also higher in plots treated with these pesticides (0.0168-0.0927). With the exception of acetamiprid, dinotefuran and spirotetramat, the other 10 pesticides tested were relatively safer for H. variegata larvae. The effects of all 13 pesticides on H. variegata adults were low; the corrected decrease rate was 6.73%-32.61%. Among the pesticides tested, dinotefuran, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram and pymetrozine had the least effect on H. variegata adults (7.37%-31.00%). Except for imidacloprid (7 days after treatment), acetamipri (3 days after treatment) and dinotefuran (3, 7 and 14 days after treatment), there were no significant differences between the corrected decrease rates of H. variegata larvae and adults among the other pesticides. [Conclusion] Sulfoxaflor, flonicamid and afidopyropen are both more effective than the other pesticides tested for the control of A. gossypii, and safer for H. variegata. Alternating the application of these three pesticides could both reduce the development of resistance in A. gossypii and mortality of H. variegata.