Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) phenology and associated arthropod diversity in the Overberg region, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorSlabbert, Eleonoreen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMalgas, Rhodaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVeldtman, Ruanen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorAddison, Piaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2021-01-12T10:27:09Z
dc.date.available2021-01-12T10:27:09Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.descriptionCITATION: Slabbert, E., et al. 2019. Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) phenology and associated arthropod diversity in the Overberg region, South Africa. Bothalia - African Biodiversity and Conservation, 49(1):a2430, doi:10.4102/abc.v49i1.2430.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://abcjournal.org
dc.descriptionPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
dc.description.abstractBackground: Cyclopia is endemic to regions of the Cape Floristic Region across the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa and is commonly known as honeybush. Honeybush has historically been used as an herbal tea, and has proven medicinal properties. Honeybush biomass and extracts are used in the functional foods and cosmetics sectors, both locally and overseas. The growing demand for honeybush calls for increased agricultural production and a shift away from the predominantly wild harvested supply. Objectives: The current study aimed to address the lack of baseline knowledge on honeybush phenology and its associated arthropod community to advance sustainable production of commercially valued plants in the genus. Method: The study was conducted on wild and cultivated Cyclopia species (Cyclopia maculata and Cyclopia genistoides) at respective sites in the Overberg region. Sampling took place from April 2014 to April 2015 using qualitative methods for recording seasonal honeybush phenology and suction sampling for aboveground arthropods. Focal insect taxa (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera) were sorted and identified to family level and classified into functional feeding guilds. Results: Qualitative phenology observations of wild C. maculata and cultivated C. genistoides indicated a high level of congruency in seasonality of phenophase stages. Associated arthropod assemblages contained a diversity of families per functional feeding group, namely phytophagous, zoophagous and omnivorous taxa, with high seasonal variability. Conclusion: Findings highlight the complexity of ecological elements to be taken into consideration for ecologically sound honeybush cultivation. Outcomes can be applied to land management practices and governance policies promoting sustainable agroecosystems in honeybush production areas.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://www.abcjournal.org/index.php/BothaliaABC/article/view/37
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent13 pages : illustrationsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationSlabbert, E., et al. 2019. Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) phenology and associated arthropod diversity in the Overberg region, South Africa. Bothalia - African Biodiversity and Conservation, 49(1):a2430, doi:10.4102/abc.v49i1.2430
dc.identifier.issn2311-9284 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0006-8241 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.4102/abc.v49i1.2430
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/108989
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherAOSIS
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectIndigenous cropsen_ZA
dc.subjectFynbosen_ZA
dc.subjectOverberg (South Africa)en_ZA
dc.subjectHoneybush (Cyclopia)en_ZA
dc.subjectHoneybush (Cyclopia) -- Phenologyen_ZA
dc.subjectAthropoda -- Biological controlen_ZA
dc.subjectArthropods -- Biological controlen_ZA
dc.subjectArthropod biodiversityen_ZA
dc.subjectArthropoda biodiversityen_ZA
dc.subjectArthropoda as biological pest control agentsen_ZA
dc.subjectHerbal teaen_ZA
dc.subjectHoneybush (Cyclopia) -- Overberg (South Africa) -- Environmental aspectsen_ZA
dc.subjectHoneybush (Cyclopia) -- Overberg (South Africa) -- Environmental conditionsen_ZA
dc.titleHoneybush (Cyclopia spp.) phenology and associated arthropod diversity in the Overberg region, South Africaen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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