Mathematical model of honeycomb construction

M. R. Belić*, V. Škarka, J. L. Deneubourg, M. Lax

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We developed a mathematical model and an algorithm for numerical treatment of a model of honeycomb construction in a beehive. The model contains essential features of the bee-bee and bee-wax interactions, and in a qualitative way captures the dynamics of parallel comb construction. The construction is represented by a set of dynamical coupled partial differential equations for the density of bees situated on the hive ceiling, and the quantity of wax distributed by the bees. A spectral algorithm is invented for treatment of these equations, based on a modified thin-sheet gain scheme and a fast Fourier transform technique.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)437-449
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Mathematical Biology
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 1986
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Comb building
  • Gain-sheet fast Fourier procedure
  • Self-organization

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