Peter Dillon <[log in to unmask]> wrote: "Several colonies had floors covered by freshly dead bees (presumed so>due to the colouring of the cuticle, absence of other debris intermingled with bodies, no apparent compaction of the pile) - they looked as if they had just fallen. The piles were 2 - 3 cm deep and covered most of the floor area. So why are these bees there?" This sounds to me like the normal mortality of overwintering bees while in cluster. Perhaps the reason that they are found where they are in the amounts you have described is that the hive cleaning and carrying off of the dead responsibilities have not occured due to winter confinement and the lack of a lower exit of the hive so that the dead could be picked up and carried off out of the hive by worker bees. I am interested in hearing additional comments since I live in a more moderate climate here in the Carolinas. Regards, Chuck Norton Norton's Nut & Honey Farm Reidsville, NC :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::