Abstract: The visual communication between insect and plant is one of the key sensory signal channels for the survival, reproduction and defense of insects. The colored sticky boards, which are developed based on insects positive phototaxis and as one of the effective green pest control measures, have been widely applied for monitoring, forecasting and mass-trapping of many diurnal agricultural and forestry insect pests. In addition, they could be used to attract beneficial insects to the target areas to prey on or parasitize harmful insects, and to aid in pollination. Here, we discussed the insect phototaxis theory and the “attract and kill” mechanism of colored sticky boards and reviewed the effects of color, shape, size, height, density, facing direction, working duration of the sticky boards, as well as plant morphological characters and insect physiological status on trapping efficacy. We summarized various application techniques of the color sticky boards on different target pest insects in tea plantations, vegetable fields and greenhouses, etc. We analyzed various application technologies of combining colored sticky boards with synthetic sex pheromone attractants and/or botanical attractants and their efficacy; then evaluated the pros and cons of using the colored sticky boards for pest control or monitoring. Accordingly, we provided suggestions for improvements and discussed the trapping efficacy assessment and cost-benefit analysis. Finally, we proposed the R&D directions of next generation colored sticky boards, especially its combination with synthetic pheromones/kairomones as an important integrated pest management (IPM) measure, and the future of the colored sticky board industry.