Inside the hive: beekeeping in Champaign County is surging, but bees aren’t

Kacey+Nelson+places+a+drone+bee+on+his+tongue+while+checking+on+his+bee+hives+in+Champaign%2C+Illinois%2C+on+Monday%2C+September+19%2C+2016.++Drones+are+male+bees+lacking+stingers+and+are+typically+the+largest+variety.+Few+drones+remain+in+his+hives+as+they+are+the+first+to+die+in+preparation+for+the+winter+season%2C+Nelson+said.+Their+primary+function+is+assisting+the+queen+bee+in+fertility.

Joseph Longo - Univeristy of Ill

Kacey Nelson places a drone bee on his tongue while checking on his bee hives in Champaign, Illinois, on Monday, September 19, 2016. Drones are male bees lacking stingers and are typically the largest variety. Few drones remain in his hives as they are the first to die in preparation for the winter season, Nelson said. Their primary function is assisting the queen bee in fertility.

By Joseph Longo, Managing Editor for Reporting
March 30, 2017

Kacey Nelson backed his silver 2005 Dodge Caravan into bushes just west of Willard Airport and a few miles south of Memorial Stadium.