A simple model of the honeybee colony functional-age composition and its some applications

The simple mathematical model of the functional-age composition of honeybee (Apis Mellifera) colonies is proposed to show in detail as by known queen mean daily egglaying data the overall bee number, foragers and nurse bees numbers, amount of eggs, closed brood in the colony and its seasonal changes can be quantitative evaluated. The model structure is based on fundamental evidences about biological structure of honeybee colony (there is only one queen, age-specific mainly division of labor) and some simplifications on the quantitative colonys properties (mean lifespan and timing of functional labor division are considered to be constant and the same for all colony members, premature mortality is ignored, etc). The model is applied to the definite empirical data obtained from literature, reflecting the queen egglaying dynamics that is typical for a colony at temperate zone and linden main honey gathering conditions. Modeling results are presented in graphics. General colony development relationships (functional-age composition particular) are discussed on the modeling basis. Namely, it is pointed that egglaying strategy and biological organization of age-specific labor allocation order are probably optimal in bees from greatest survivability point of view (quickest spring development, largest honey gathering, and largest amount of bees to wintering). The possibility of inverse problem statement as other application is showed for this model. It can be useful for an expansion of cognitive possibilities of direct biological experiment.