The effects of soybean planting date, row width and seeding rate on populations ofPlathypena scabra,Heliothis zea,Pseudoplusia includens, and their natural enemiesGeocoris punctipes,Orius insidiosus,Nabisspp., Araneida andNomuraea rileyiwere monitored in a 3-yr study in North Carolina. Of the cultural variables, seeding rate had the least effect and planting date generally had the greatest effect on all populations exceptO. insidiosus. Early-planted soybeans in narrow rows at a high seeding rate generally had larger numbers ofN. rileyi-killed larvae and a higher percentage of mortality of the total larval population due toN. rileyi.There is strong evidence to support the recommendation of planting soybeans early (before June 5) because yields were higher and parasitism (byN. rileyi) and predation on the key pests were higher than on late-planted soybeans. When soybeans are planted late as a 2nd crop following small grain, planting in narrow rows at a high seeding rate maximizes the effects ofN. rileyiand key predators.