[Objectives]  To determine the potential for using remote intelligent monitoring systems to monitor pests in apple orchards. [Methods]  A double image acquisition system was used to collect clear images of insects which were then transmitted for identification and recording. [Results]  After setting appropriate parameters, the remote intelligent monitoring system could automatically trap, kill, photograph, transmit images and collect insects. Manual identification and counting were more accurate and more closely matched actual insect occurrence. [Conclusion]  Remote intelligent monitoring systems can monitor a variety of major pests in apple orchards in real time, thereby significantly reducing human and material costs of monitoring. After training, feature extraction, structure building and model evaluation of insect images, computer software can automatically recognize and count insects.