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Using an aphid banker plant system can minimize the need for frequent reapplications of A. colemani by supporting a continued source of predatory insects. The potted banker plants come infected with cereal aphids (bird cherry aphids) Rhopalosiphum padi, which does not affect most greenhouse plants. The banker plants become miniature rearing systems as A. colemani are released and allowed to establish. The cereal aphids become the parasite for the A. colemani “rearing station”. Over time, A colemani parasitic populations become high enough to disperse into the horticultural crop. Aphid banker plants should be destroyed at the end of the season to avoid hyperparasitization.
You will need a minimum of 2 banker plants per acre. Please contact us directly to order.
- Please inquire for details on ordering banker plants.