The objective of this research was to determine the cause of the continuous outbreaks of brown planthopper (BPH) in Taihe County. We analyzed field and light trap data on BPHs in Taihe County from 2008 to 2013, and combined them with data on meteorological conditions to identify the main reasons for the outbreaks in late-rice fields. The BPHs damaging early-rice fields were the 2^nd and 3^rd generations whose population sizes were mainly limited by early immigration. After the early-rice harvest, resident populations contributed less to the insect population sizes in late-rice fields. The BPHs in late-rice fields were the 5^th and 6^th generations. Late period immigration, autumn temperature, and initial insect population size in late-rice fields played an essential role in late-rice field outbreaks. The outbreak types varied over time. In 2008 and 2009, the outbreaks were due to the late period immigration and the "warm autumn", while the "warm autumn" caused the 2010 outbreak. In 2011 and 2012, the late period immigration led to the outbreak, however the initial insect population size was the main diver of the 2013 outbreak. The late period immigration, the autumn temperature, and the initial insect population size were the factors that caused the continuous outbreaks of BPH in Taihe County. These results provide a theoretical basis anda reference for long-term predictions and sustainable insect management strategies.