<p>Yellow peach moth, <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an economically important polyphagous pest that causes severe damage to sweet and waxy corn. This study investigated the fitness, oviposition preference and larval attraction of <i>C. punctiferalis</i> while developing on two host corn varieties. The larval development time of <i>C. punctiferalis</i> was significantly shorter on sweet corn than waxy corn. The highest mean fecundity (168.89 eggs) of yellow peach moth was observed on sweet corn, whereas the lowest mean fecundity (126.68 eggs) was found on waxy corn. The highest intrinsic rate (<i>r</i>) and finite rate of increase (<i>λ</i>) for <i>C. punctiferalis</i> were observed on sweet corn (<i>r</i> = 0.1410 per day, <i>λ</i> = 1.1521 per day), while the lowest <i>r</i> and <i>λ</i> values were recorded on waxy corn (<i>r</i> = 0.1013 per day, <i>λ</i> = 1.1121 per day). The mean generation time (<i>T</i>) was significantly shorter (29.54&#xa0;days) for sweet corn and longer (33.97&#xa0;days) for waxy corn. However, the net reproductive rate (<i>R</i>_<i>0</i>) per day, also known as the replacement rate or the number of females replacing their mothers, was not significantly different between treatments. These findings suggest that sweet corn offers more favorable conditions for <i>C. punctiferalis</i> development, making it more susceptible to infestation by this pest. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding pest development preference on various host maize varieties and its implications for decision-making in pest management approaches against yellow peach moth. The current findings would be the basis for developing and implementing more effective, sustainable pest management strategies for <i>C. punctiferalis</i> infesting sweet and waxy corn cultivated in China.</p>