Studies were conducted near Ames, LA, from 1989 through 1992 to quantify the effects of soybean planting date on bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster), abundance and soybean pod injury and seed yield. Experimental treatments were seeding the 1st wk of May and the last wk of May, which spanned the recommended planting time in central Iowa. Plots were located adjacent to alfalfa, separated by a com buffer, and arranged according to 3 (1989 and 1990) or 4 (1991 and 1992) randomized blocks. Bean leaf beetle and soybean developmental stage were determined twice weekly. Pod injury and seed yield were measured from harvest samples. Results indicated that soybean planted toward the end of May had reduced bean leaf beetle colonization and lower seasonal densities than those planted the 1st wk of May. Lower densities resulted in significantly fewer beetle feeding days during pod development and reduced pod injury in 3 of the 4 yr of study. Additionally, seed yield potential was not significantly reduced by late planting. However, bean leaf beetle migration from early into late plantings during 1 yr of the study caused greater pod injury there, pointing to the need to determine the effectiveness of late planting when it is used as a pest management tactic.