On Wed, 29 Nov 1995, John Mason wrote:
 
> Microscopic examination for tracheal mites is most commonly done under a
> dissecting scope.  Special media preperation is involved, a good description
> of which appears in the new "Hive and the Honey Bee".  If you have any
> number of colonies to observe I recomend homogenizing bee thoraces in a
> blender and floating off the trachea prior to pottasium hydroxide treatment
> and staining.  Good luck.
>
> John Mason
> Leatherstocking Apiaries
> 4 N. Fifth Street
> Oneonta, NY 13820
>
A simple technique that works pretty well requires no preliminary
treatment of samples. On a slide, place 10 or 20 thoracic segments
(dissected in the usual way) posterior side up. Add a drop of lactic acid to
each. The muscles usually pop right out with a needle or dissecting probe,
leaving the tracheal trunks behind. Using this method, a large number of
samples can be examined easily and quickly. Lactic acid can cause skin
irritation, so one might want to wear gloves when using it (with my
rawhide-like paws, I'd never notice anyway, and so I don't bother).
 
Tom Culliney
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