[Aim]  To determine the relative preference of Riptortus pedestris for soybean stems, leaves, flowers and pods, and the effects of feeding on these on the feeding, growth and development of this pest. [Methods]  A Y-type olfactometer and leaf dish were used to determine the relative preference of R. pedestris for soybean stems, leaves, flowers and pods. The effects of feeding on these different soybean parts on the survival rate, development period, fecundity and population parameters, were then investigated by compiling an age-stage, life table for each sex. [Results]  Adult R. pedestris significantly preferred the stems, leaves, flowers and pods of soybeans (Leaf：c² = 11.21, P = 0.001; Stem：c² = 4.50, P = 0.03; Flower：c² = 5.88, P = 0.02; Pod：c² = 5.09, P = 0.02) to the control substance, displaying the strongest preference for leaves (65.00%). Adults also significantly preferred leaves to stems (c²= 4.38, P = 0.04) and pods (c² = 6.04, P = 0.01). Nymphs and adults had a strong preference for soybean pods, with feeding rates ranging from 60.67% to 72.67%, but no obvious preference for the other three plant parts, with feeding rates < 20.00%. Food type had no significant effect (c² = 2.01, P = 0.57) on the developmental duration and survival rate of 1st instar nymphs. However, only larvae that fed on pods were able to complete development, those that were restricted to the other plant parts only reached the 2nd instar before dying. Larvae that fed on pods had a net reproductive rate (R₀), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and mean generation time (T) of 55.802, 0.077, 1.081, and 52.40 d, respectively. [Conclusion]  R. pedestris is strongly attracted to soybean leaves but prefers feeding on soybean pods, which are the only part of soybean plants on which it can complete its development.