>When looking for Tracheal mites - is it essential to dissect freshly killed
bees - or is it possible to deal with dead bees from a dead colony.

I like freshly killed as the color of the tracheal has not been compromised.

>The bees that I would like to look at are not visibly rotten (exoskeleton).

A powerful microscope will find the tracheal mites unless mush but hard
sometimes with a lower power or using poor lighting.

> if it is possible to only collect samples for the moment and deal
with them in a week, then it would help.

Samples sit for weeks in solution at the bee labs. If you know what you are
looking for a diagnosis can be made as long as you are not looking at mush.
I like to keep samples frozen but have not seen others use the practice. I
like my samples "crispy".

Bob

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