Septicemia is sort of a generalized term meaning infection of the host by bacteria. Insects with this usually are very flacid, and break apart easily. Some viral infections Sac brood also cause the insect to appear like a water balloon and burst to dissseminate propagules. Was there evidence of wet flacid cadavers or were the parts dry. If dry it may have been post mortum munching by scavengers. Mike > Western NY - commercial beekeeper observed while scraping his >deadouts , hives with "bee parts" strewn over the top bars and on the >frames. He stated "it was like they fell apart". I'm wondering if this >could be septicemia ? Is any one out there familiar with this ?