The detection of targets with complex backgrounds in aerial images is a challenging task. In this letter, we propose a robust insulator detection algorithm based on local features and spatial orders for aerial images. First, we detect local features and introduce a multiscale and multifeature descriptor to represent the local features. Then, we get several spatial orders features by training these local features, it improves the robustness of the algorithm. Finally, through a coarse-to-fine matching strategy, we eliminate background noise and determine the region of insulators. We test our method on a diverse aerial image set. The experimental results demonstrate the precision and robustness of our detection method, and indicate the possible use of our method in practical applications.