>
> Mr Fischer:
>
> As part of my business, I sample hives for tracheal mites (Acarapis
woodi).
>  I use a dissecting microscope with magnification at 60x or higher.  At
> magnifications much lower than that, it is difficult to see eggs and
> immatures.
>
> For practice, you can certainly sample dead bees.  If there is a mite
> infestation, you may find some immature mites within the bees.  However,
> you'll run into a problem with deterioration of the bee,  and possibly
> misleading information.
>
> Also, you may want to start with drones;  they are larger and easier to
> manipulate.
>
> For an excellent lesson in dissecting for tracheal mites, sample sizes to
> consider, etc., see The Beekeeper's Handbook, third ed., 1998, by
Sammataro
> and Avitabile.
>
> Good luck !
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Elizabeth Vogt
> www.beeinspectionservice.com
>