ABSTRACT Aprototype expert system was developed as a decision aid in soybean insect pest management. This expert system, SMARTSOY, incorporated the damage rates of the four primary insects in Georgia: velvetbean caterpillar, soybean looper, corn earworm and southern green stinkbug. Foliage and seed damage rates for these insects were obtained from the state soybean entomologist and incorporated in rule form in a knowledge base using the expert system shell Insight 2-f. The SOYGRO crop growth model was included as an extended data base in order to simulate the effects of insect damage. A user interface was developed to allow for the initialization of the SOYGRO model for each field being managed. The user interface also allows scouting report information to be entered in terms of observed crop status and insect populations. SMARTSOY then runs SOYGRO with and without subsequent damage to determine the cost effectiveness of an insecticide application. If an insecticide application is recommended, the rate and type of insecticide is provided to the user. In typical crop and insect scenarios, SMARTSOY has performed well in agreeing with recommendations of the state soybean entomologist. Upon further validation, SMARTSOY could be used by individual growers to make better insect pest management decisions.