bee autopsy?

[phill]

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.

[bassman1977]

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

[wetland bee]

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.