Soil traversing arthropod populations were sampled by pitfall traps in sunflower (Helianthus spp.) and three adjacent habitats during the months of July, August and September of 1980 and May, June, July and August of 1981. In1980, four varieties of sunflower (Ellar, Hybrid 670, 891 and S-345) were planted. A single variety of sunflower (Ellar) was planted in1981. The three adjacent habitats in both 1980 and 1981 were a pine stand, grass border and fence row. Of 1,748 specimens collected in 1980, 17 orders and 48 families were represented. Four orders comprised 78% of the total catch: Hymenoptera (45%), Acari (17%), Collembola(11%) and Coleoptera (5%). In 1981, 20 orders and 64 families were represented in a total of 26,693 trapped specimens. Four orders composed 88% of the total catch: Collembola (57%), Acari (14%), Hymenoptera (11%) and Homoptera (6%). Family composition and seasonal occurrence are discussed and compared for habitats sampled. Weather data are presented and discussed in relation to arthropod activit
