APIPOP: "Cells Availability" module.

Under the project PRIN 2007 entitled "Integration of bee knowledge through the development and calibration of a model for the simulation of the hive" is used ApiPop computer model, developed with the modelling environment SEMoLa (Simple, Easy to use, MOdelling Language). This is a tool for development and simulation of continuous dynamical systems (flows) or discrete (events), deterministic or stochastic, the objective is to simulate the complex interactions that occur in the hive. Among the different modules that compose the model, that of the availability of cells is responsible for identifying all the factors (variables, constants, etc..) influencing it, identifying both the quantity of cells in a hive and their availability for the different needs of the colony (brood rearing, storage of honey and pollen). In order to calibrate the model, tests were conducted in spring - summer of the years 2008 - 2010. From the data acquired in the test hives variations in the number of cells for the brood (female and male) and the number of cells occupied by stocks (honey and pollen) could be determined within each year. The results, which are dependent by the strength of the colony, the health of bees, the use of food resources to the season and climate, were used for the implementation of the theoretical model.