[Objectives]  To provide a convenient and effective diagnostic system for identifying rice insects. [Methods] Open source software LAMP (Linux, Apache, PHP, MySQL) and the mobile phone client development environment (Java development kit, Eclipse, Android Software development kit, Android development tools), were used to develop a new system for identifying rice insects based on the Android platform. The system includes a server and mobile client (APP). The server has an open design in which users can add and edit information on rice insects and then refresh the database. The APP can classify species of insects according to the following characteristics; body size, the part of the rice plant damaged, harmful characteristics and symptoms, and then display a description and images of the closest matching insect species on the users’ mobile phone. [Results]  The APP proved a convenient way of identifying insects on rice plants. [Conclusion]  The system is practical (mobile phones are cheap and widespread), affordable, easy to use, and portable. It has proved popular with rice farmers and should increase in popularity in the future.