【Aim】The aim of this study is to explore the sublethal effects of lambda-cyhalothrin, a second-generation pyrethroid insecticide, on Anopheles sinensis.【Methods】The toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin against the 4th instar larvae of An. sinensis was assessed using the WHO-recommended larval immersion method. The 4th instar larvae of An. sinensis were exposed to sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC30) of lambda-cyhalothrin, and the duration of various developmental stages of the F1 generation and daily number of eggs laid per female were recorded. The age-stage, two-sex life table was constructed. Population dynamics projections in subsequent 60 d were generated using TIMING-MSChart. 【Results】The LC10 and LC30 values of lambda-cyhalothrin against the 4th instar larvae of An. sinensis in 24 h were 0.95×10-3 and 2.17×10-3 mg/L, respectively. Compared with the control (dechlorinated tap water), LC10 of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly shortened the female egg and 2nd instar larval duration of the F1 generation of An. sinensis, but significantly prolonged the 1st and 3rd instar larval and pupal duration of F1 females, thus leading to an extended total developmental duration. In contrast, male individuals of the F1 generation in the treatment group with LC10 of lambda-cyhalothrin exhibited significantly prolonged 1st and 2nd instar larval duration and pupal duration, but showed significantly shortened 3rd instar larval duration and adult longevity. Compared with the control, LC30 of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly prolonged the 3rd instar larval and pupal duration, and the total developmental duration of the F1 females of An. sinensis, while significantly shortened the 1st and 4th instar larval duration of An. sinensis. Compared with the control, LC30 of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly prolonged the 1st instar male larval duration, and significantly shortened the 2nd and 3rd instar larval duration and pre-adult period of An. sinensis. Furthermore, LC10 of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly shortened both the adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) and mean generation time (T), whereas LC30 of lambda-cyhalothrin conversely caused significant prolongation of T of An. sinensis. Both concentrations of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly inhibited the number of eggs laid by female adult of the F1 generation of An. sinensis, with LC30 of lambda-cyhalothrin exhibiting a more pronounced inhibitory effect. 【Conclusion】Sublethal concentrations of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly affected the growth, development and fecundity of An. sinensis. LC10 of lambda-cyhalothrin slightly promoted population growth by shortening developmental duration and increasing generation number, whereas LC30 of lambda-cyhalothrin significantly suppressed female fecundity and ultimately inhibited the population growth of An. sinensis. The findings of this study provide an instruction for the rational application of lambda-cyhalothrin in controlling An. sinensis.