The maple poison moth (MPM), Lymantria nebulosa (Wileman), is a Lepidopteran defoliator and one of the most important pests of Liquidambar formosana Hance. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature on the population growth and reproduction of this species. MPM were raised in artificial climate chambers in a laboratory at 21 ± 1°C, 24 ± 1°C, 27 ± 1°C, 30 ± 1°C, 33 ± 1°C and 36 ± 1°C, under a relative humidity (RH) of 70% ± 10% and a 14 L:10D photoperiod, and age-stage, two-sex life tables complied for insects at each temperature. The developmental duration, adult preoviposition period and overall preoviposition period decreased with temperature in a time-dependent manner. The growth curves of the different temperature groups overlapped considerably. The highest larval survival rate (80%) was recorded at 30 ± 1°C. At 36°C only a few eggs hatched and the first instar could not complete the first molt. We consequently regard 36°C as the lethal temperature threshold for this species. Life expectancy decreased with age under all six temperatures. The endogenous growth rate was significantly lower at 21 ± 1°C than at the other temperatures, and was highest in 30 ± 1°C group. The net growth rate of the 30 ± 1°C group was also significantly higher than others. Reproductive parameters were highest at 27 ± 1°C and 30 ± 1°C. Although environmental factors absent from the laboratory environment may limit the generality of our results, they nonetheless provide a theoretical basis for developing integrated control methods for MPM in the wild.