This is definitely not an urgent question. But during the winter there isn't much else to do, beekeeping-wise...
It's been very cold for a couple of weeks here, and I'd seen no activity at all around my one remaining hive-- which was fairly strong going into the winter. Then today the temperature rose just a bit, and I noticed a fair number of dead bees in the snow out front of the hive. So I know they're still alive in there. Good.
The dead bees are pretty well preserved by the snow & cold. I've been looking carefully at them, and see nothing out of the ordinary. Here's my question: Is there anything in particular I might look for, that might tell me about the overall health of the colony?
Again, it's pretty much an idle question. I have no particular reason to worry-- except that's all I can do, until the weather warms up.
Just by looking at dead bees might be tough. I've seen plenty of bees in the snow with crummy looking wings (indicating perhaps varroa) but that is not a definitive either since the wings will deteriorate fairly quickly. If you have the equipment and know how of doing an actual dissection of a bee (which maybe that is what you are after going by your subject line?) maybe look for evidence of tracheal mites. Bees in the snow definitely is a good sign but aside from cracking open the hive, which I do not recommend until it's later in the year, then I don't know what else to tell you. A living hive would be good enough for me. :-D
A lot of those bee in the snow our fine. I have always enjoyed having the kids cup them in there hands and blow on them for maybe 5 mins and they will start running around in your hands. then we will put them back in the entrance of a hive . never know if they live or if it was their hive.but it seems like the thing to do. And the kids have fun learning.