nosema?

[coondogger]

Doubtless there are other threads on this. The thermometer rose to 42 F today so I dug my way down to the hive. All around the hive were yellow-brown spots on the snow. A lot of corpses by the landing strip. And bees are actually leaving the hive. They fly a short distance, then fall to the snow and die. Nosema? If so, what can I do in the middle of the winter? I don't dare open the hive in these temps.

[MountainCamp]

no, see the other post for this.

[Jeffzhear]

no, see the other post for this.

I went to the other post (location you listed) and it brings up a thread showing NY'ers that sell honey to the public....Thinking that's not what you were sending us to.

J

[MountainCamp]

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215173

This post was also placed under yellow snow in 101.

[clintonbemrose]

In all probability the bees probably froze in mid flight.
Clint

[tecumseh]

I think the critical question coondogger is whether the bees were flying before or after you disturbed the hive. cleansing flights are not that unusual (and thus the spots in the snow)... undisturbed bees flying in goodly number in very cold weather is not typical and should be considered in a different light.

like much in regards in observing behavior (and this is relevant to more than just bees) the context of the discribed behavior is extremely important.

[coondogger]

I think the critical question coondogger is whether the bees were flying before or after you disturbed the hive. cleansing flights are not that unusual (and thus the spots in the snow)... undisturbed bees flying in goodly number in very cold weather is not typical and should be considered in a different light.

like much in regards in observing behavior (and this is relevant to more than just bees) the context of the discribed behavior is extremely important.

Tecumseh,

Here's what I've observed so far. The bees are leaving the hive, one at a time, attempting to fly, and dropping. Once on the snow, they die after several moments. There are perhaps a hundred bees on the landing board and its immediate environs. The snow and bodies had blocked the entrance for about a week until I cleaned it out. But they're still leaving the hive, one at a time, falling to the snow, and dying. There is a small amount of dysentary on the front of the hive. There is activity in the hive (I listened with a stethoscope) and it is concentrated in the center of the super. That's all I know so far. What do you think?

[Jon McFadden]

Disecting the mid-gut of several bees can confirm nosema.
At this time of year, about the only thing you can do is to have the hives facing south and the entrance clear so cleansing flights are possible.
If Nosema is confirmed, Fumidil-B can be fed when the weather warms.
Jon