I'm also surprised that there weren't more responses  to this question!

High mite levels result in virus epidemics, usu. DWV or one of the KBV
family.

In a typical deadout in my area, there will be no dead bees present, and
few to no live bees).  The hive will often be full of honey.  The broodnest
will be largely empty, except for scattered capped brood cells, typically
with a few partially emerged adult bees.  If you  pull them out, they will
often have deformed wings, or as Karen says, tiny abdomens.

If you hold the frame horizontally, you will be able to see white guanine
deposits on the cell "ceilings" near the last remnants of brood.  I also
often detect a slight tobacco-y smell (I have no idea why).

Could others in the Northeast please tell me if non starvation, non nosema
deadouts typically contain dead bees?  Were the symptoms of deadouts
without dead bees in the Harvard study atypical?
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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