The development, reproduction and life table parameters of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on four ornamental plants (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., H. syriacus L. (Malvaceae), Brugmansia aurea Lagerh., Cestrum nocturnum L. (Solanaceae)) were studied at 25 ± 2 °C, 60% ± 10% r.h., and 16 hours daily artificial light. Life table data were analyzed by using an age-stage, two-sex life table. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.2911 d-1), finite rate of increase (1.3380 d-1), net reproductive rate (258.0 nymphs/female) and gross reproduction rate (342.6 nymphs/female), as well as the shortest mean generation times (19.1 days) were obtained when the mealybug was reared on H. syriacus.