[Objectives]  The relative efficiency of using a RNA extraction kit to extract total RNA from different insects was compared to that of the Trizol method. [Methods]  An RNA extraction kit and Trizol were used to extract total RNA from five insects; Aspongopus chinensis Dallas, Sogatella furcifera Horváth, Apis cerana cerana, Pantala flavescens and Chrysolina aurichalcea. The quality and the OD value of total RNA obtained were measured with a UV spectrophotometer and agarose gel electrophoresis. [Results]  Although a higher concentration of total RNA was extracted with the Trizol method from three species, S. furcifera, C. aurichalcea, and A. chinensis, it had lower purity and electrophoresis results indicated that it was degraded with poor integrity. Conversely, although the concentration of total RNA obtained with an RNA extraction kit from P. flavescens (Odonata) and A. cerana cerana (Hymenoptera) was relatively low, it was relatively pure and had better integrity. [Conclusion]  The trizol method is more suitable for extracting total RNA from small insects or those with high chitin content, whereas an RNA extraction kit is better for insects with low chitin content, a soft abdomen and more body fluid.