ABSTRACT
Major foliage feeders of soybean in the primary growing regions of North and South America include velvetbean caterpillar and soybean looper. Minor foliage feeders found in North America include Mexican bean beetle, green cloverworm, corn earworm and cabbage looper. Five breeding lines derived from crosses utilizing PI 229358 were evaluated for multiple insect resistance, including corn earworm and tobacco budworm. The chapter examines research efforts conducted since 1976 concerning resistance to foliage feeders on soybean. Various breeding programs have developed advanced lines with good resistance to major soybean defoliators. The sources of resistance have been utilized in breeding programs throughout the United States to develop advanced breeding lines with multiple insect resistance and good agronomic characteristics. The most important defoliator in the western hemisphere is the velvetbean caterpillar. The influence of resistant germplasm on the biology of velvetbean caterpillar also has been studied.
