[Objectives]  To develop a better artificial diet for Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) and thereby improve the captive rearing of this pest. [Methods]  Six different artificial diets (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) were fed to S. exigua larvae, and their effects on larval mortality and adult egg production, as well as differences their utilization rate and nutritional indicators, were compared. [Results]  Larvae fed formula 3 had the lowest mortality, the highest utilization rate and adult egg production. [Conclusion]  Formula 3, which was mainly comprised of rabbit pellets and wheat germ, can improve the cost-effectiveness of rearing S exigua in captivity.