In this study, the hydrolysis of the insecticide ethiprole in buffered solutions at pH 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0, respectively, and the degradation and adsorption-desorption behaviors of ethiprole in five agricultural soil samples from China were investigated. The half-lives under anaerobic conditions were faster than that in the aerobic experiment. Ethiprole was relatively stable under both acidic and neutral conditions while it was readily hydrolyzed under alkaling condition. The sorption of ethiprole on five soils was well described by the linear and Freundlich equation and mainly governed by soil organic matter. The exothermic process of ethiprole adsorption can also be well explained by physical adsorption. A weak adsorption capacity was observed in all soils, which could readily lead to leaching problems.