I have an interesting article prepared by the University of Wisconsin
regarding the "destructive" sampling of colonies.  This was prepared by
the research station there for observing wintering colonies and their
clusters.  It essentially shows them completely taking apart a colonly
to observe the cluster, honey stores, etc..  I would be more than
happy to fax or mail you a copy.  Matt Ter Molen.  [log in to unmask]
uchicago.edu.