Field trials were conducted in 1998 and 1999 to examine the efficacy of selected insecticides against early season tarnished plant bug populations in addition to the side effect of such insecticides on the beneficial arthropods complex. The influence of insecticide sprays on lint yield was also investigated. We found that new compounds such as Actara, Regent, Strategy, Steward, and Provado to be highly effective against plant bugs. Bidrin and Vydate tended to be less effective while Orthene tended to show a trend toward weaker performance. Steward, Strategy, Provado, Denim, and Vydate were soft on beneficials while Regent, Actara, and Orthene were harsh. Bidrin and Provado showed a tendency toward intermediate toxicity against beneficial arthropods. Increased lint yield compared to the check treatment was obtained with Strategy, Actara, and Provado.