[Objectives]  To explore the temporal niches and trophic relationships of the arthropod community in soybean fields, and to provide a theoretical basis for the ecological management of soybean pests. [Methods]  A systematic survey of the soybean arthropod community was conducted over two years. [Results]  More than 220 species were recorded which could divided into groups of natural enemies, pest and neutral species. The natural enemy group had the highest species richness value. Thrips tabaci and Aphis glycines, which share a relatively high niche overlap index (0.8163) were also relatively dominant (0.36902 and 0.13122). Aphytis sp. and Chrysopa septempunctata had high niche overlap indices with pest species, wherease Harmonia axyridis, Propylaea Japonica, Zyistrophe balteata and Deraeocoris punctulatus had more moderate overlap indices. The different groups were part of a complex food web. [Conclusion]  Considering the large number of natural enemy species present, only predatory species were effective in controlling pest insect numbers. The biological control ability of predatory species couldn’t be assessed by their niche overlap index.