Aphids can reproduce sexually and asexually. Females reproduce by themselves and give birth to live females in summer. They also reproduce sexually and lay eggs that survive in summer and eggs that survive in the winter and hatch in the spring. Often found on ornamental plants, aphids are among the most common pest groups for plants. They are also a popular food for many predators including lady bugs, parasitic wasps, and fly larvae.

Explain how the reproductive variability of aphids might be an adaptation that allows them to survive very aggressive predation.