There are disclosed a catalyst and a process for production of acrylic acid using this catalyst, wherein, even under conditions where hot spots are formed, the catalyst is excellent in activity, selectivity, and catalyst life time and displays stable performances for a long time. The catalyst is shown by the following formula (1): Mo.sub.aV.sub.bW.sub.cCu.sub.dA.sub.eB.sub.fC.sub.gO.sub.x (1) (wherein: A is at least one species selected from among cobalt, nickel, iron, lead, and bismuth; B is at least one species selected from among antimony, niobium, and tin; and C is at least one species selected from among silicon, aluminum, titanium, and zirconium; and further, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and x are atomic ratios of Mo, V, W, Cu, A, B, C, and O respectively; and, in the case of a=12, the following inequalities are satisfied: 2.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.15; 0