[Aim]  To clarify the effects of intercropping green manure on the diversity of pests and their natural enemies in apple orchards, and optimize the apple orchard ecosystem. [Methods]  Two green manure crops, clover and ryegrass were intercropped with apple trees in Jingning County, Gansu Province. Orchard pests and their natural enemies were captured in Malaise nets from April to October 2023 to assess and compare community diversity of these orchards with that of a control, clean tillage orchard. [Results]  The period during which pest numbers increased occurred 15 days later in intercropped orchards than the control orchard. Pest diversity was also lower in intercropped orchards, by 16 fewer families and 12 species, and 6 fewer families 8 species, respectively. Overall aphid abundance was 7.69% lower, but could be as much as 29.98% lower than the control. Although they remained common, Aphis citricola were no longer the dominant species in intercropped orchards. Intercropping increased natural enemy diversity by 4 species, 4 families, 2 orders, and by 3 species 3 families 1 orders, respectively, and the overall abundance of natural enemies increased by 113.94% and 205.82%, compared to the control. Peak benefit-harm ratio values were 1.63 and 1.08, respectively, significantly higher than those of the control orchard (P < 0.05). The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Margalef richness index of intercropped orchards were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05), and the Simpson diversity index and Pielou uniformity index were also significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.001). Cluster analysis indicates that intercropping changed the structure and composition of the pest and natural enemy communities in apple orchards. [Conclusion]  Intercropping clover and ryegrass can effectively reduce the incidence of pests in apple orchards, significantly increase the number of natural enemy species and the benefit-harm ratio, resulting in higher biodiversity and stronger species stability. Intercropping with ryegrass may, however, cause other pest populations to increase.