The invention discloses a starch adhesive. The starch adhesive is prepared through the steps of firstly, adding deionized water, polyvinyl alcohol and n-octanol to a reaction kettle with a stirrer, raising the temperature to 88-92 DEG C, and keeping the temperature for 30 min so that polyvinyl alcohol can be completely dissolved; secondly, cooling the mixture to 52-57 DEG C, adding starch, copper sulfate and manganese acetyllacetonate, adding sulfur peroxide after the mixture is evenly stirred, and making the mixture react for 60-80 min under unceasing stirring; thirdly, adding sodium hydroxide (30% solution), regulating the PH value to 9-10, adding melamine, and making the mixture react for 60-80 min; fourthly, adding a sodium thiosulfate (30%) solution, adding the rest of deionized water after the mixture is evenly stirred, conducting stirring for 30-40 min so that the solution can be in the semitransparent state, and then adding polyacrylonitrile and diisocyanate to react for 40-60 min; fifthly, adding potassium sorbate and kaolin, and conducting stirring for 30-40 min to obtain the product. The product is strong in adhesive strength, stable in water resistance, long in storage period, high in drying speed and good in permeability and mobility.