Continuous rearing of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), was achieved on a chemically defined diet D-97 developed in this laboratory. The performance of N. lugens reared on D-97 was much better than that on a previously reported artificial diet MMD-1, although it was inferior to the susceptible rice variety TN1. N. lugens can not finish a complete generation on MMD-1 due to poor fecundity and unhatchability of eggs, but it has been successfully reared for more than 6 generations on D-97. In comparison with TN1-reared N. lugens, D-97-reared insects had a longer nymphal period (more than 3 days longer for males and 5 days longer for females), lighter weight (over 25% lighter for males and 35% lighter for females) and lower fecundity (over 50% less). Of the six generations on D-97, the first two generations had a significantly higher rate of emergence and hatchability. The possible factors influencing rearing efficiency and the potential applications of this diet are also discussed.