A bacterial strain ZS-S-01, newly isolated from activated sludge, could effectively degrade fenvalerate and its hydrolysis product 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA). Based on the morphology, physiological biochemical characteristics, and 16 S rDNA sequence, strain ZS-S-01 was identified as Stenotrophomonas sp. Strain ZS-S-01 could also degrade and utilize deltamethrin, beta-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, and cyhalothrin as substrates for growth. Strain ZS-S-01 was capable of degrading fenvalerate rapidly without a lag phase over a wide range of pH and temperature, even in the presence of other carbon sources, and metabolized it to yield 3-PBA, then completely degraded it. No persistent accumulative product was detected by HPLC and GC/MS analysis. Studies on biodegradation in various soils showed that strain ZS-S-01 demonstrated efficient degradation of fenvalerate and 3-PBA (both 50 mg center dot kg(-1)) with a rate constant of 0.1418-0.3073 d(-1), and half-lives ranged from 2.3 to 4.9 days. Compared with the controls, the half-lives for fenvalerate and 3-PBA reduced by 16.9-156.3 days. These results highlight strain ZS-S-01 may have potential for use in bioremediation of pyrethroid-contaminated environment.