The soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, is a small, unsegmented plant-parasitic roundworm that attacks the roots of soybeans. While many plant-parasitic nematodes are believed to be endemic or native to the United States, the soybean cyst nematode was apparently introduced from Japan. Soybean cyst nematode was first discovered in the United States in 1954 in North Carolina. It has since spread to 25 additional states in the Southeast and Midwest. It was first discovered in Iowa in Winnebago County in 1978. The presence of soybean cyst nematode has been confirmed in 48 counties within Iowa {Figure 1) and it is suspected to be present in others as well.