> > 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 >