PMS and patchy hair on thorax.

[richter1978]

I have been searching the internet and can't find any reference to the above situation.  I went to check the hives yesterday to find a colony that has all but collapsed. The hive is a double deep that was full of bees two weeks ago. Mites almost certainly are the culprit, but I noticed that most of the remaining bees have irregular shaped patches of missing hair on their thorax.  There is some sign of robbing and a partial hive beetle sliming (I think the cold weather halted full sliming).  I didn't know if this was noteworthy or not, I have lost other hives w/ mites and didn't note the missing hair. Anyone else ever see this? I will try to get a picture up later.  Thank you.

[richter1978]

Sorry, never got around to taking any pics.  I guess I'm concerned that I've got the mysterious-new-virus-that's-going-to-kill-the-apiary. I would like to reuse the combs and don't want to spread the Plague!

[jayj200]

I understand it is from them fighting off robbers

[richter1978]

Thanks jay,
   There are some jagged edge combs here and there, I guess the robbing started right as cold weather set in.  I hope your right about the weird bald patches, there are already enough hurdles to clear!

[Culley]

There is a thing called hairless black syndrome, look it up if you're interested, but I don't think it sounds quite like you described.

[jayj200]

with robbing reduce the entrance