THE MODULE "AVAILABLE CELLS" IN THE APIPOP MODEL

Under the Italian research project "Integration of bee knowledge through the development and calibration of a model for the simulation of the beehive" the model ApiPop is used; being developed with the environment modelling SEMoLA (Simple, Easy to use, Modeling Language) software, it aims at simulating the complex interactions of the beehive - a very articulate biological system, considered as a "super-organism" - whose complex dynamic behaviour is influenced by strong interactions between its internal (population, availability of stocks, etc) and external components (floristic resources, bee activities). The module on the availability of cells, which aims to identify all the factors (variables, constants, etc.) that influence it, is responsible for identifying the amount of cells in the beehive and defining their availability for the different colony needs (brood rearing, honey and pollen storing). Through periodical assessments of experimental hives the seasonal changes in brood cell (both male and female) number and comb area occupied by honey and pollen stocks were determined. These results, which are influenced mainly by colony strength, the seasonal period, use of food resources, health of bees, climate, were used for the preparation of a theoretical model.