Parasitoids wasps are a part of the aphid control picture. These tiny creatures lay an egg inside the host. This gives the new wasp shelter (a cozy little aphid mummy hut) and food as it develops and finally exits the host leaving behind an empty shell and a dead aphid.

Growing banker plants to rear Aphidius colemani is like putting money in the bank. Instead of buying Aphidius on a regular basis, you can produce your own on barley or oat grasses that have been inoculated with cherry oat aphids.