A model is proposed for the estimation of populations of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies. The model was tested using 44 colonies (24 overwintered, 20 started from packages) to estimate adult populations and 7 colonies to estimate irnrnatures. Average estimates of adults, pupae, larvae and eggs, respectively, were 102.3 ± 4.6, 99.0 ± 10.2, 99.6 ± 22.5 and 122.4 ± 36.7% of the true values.
Keywords
Population dynamics, population model, colony, development
