Beekeeping traditions highlighted in Conques region

A report by France 3 Occitanie and ICI highlights the traditional beekeeping practices in the Conques region. Beekeeper Jean-Bernard Fayel, based in Lestaral de Sénergues, demonstrated the complexities of hive life, including the roles of the queen and worker bees.

Fayel discussed the biological processes of the hive, noting that a queen can lay approximately 1,500 eggs per day. He also addressed environmental challenges facing the industry, such as bee mortality caused by the varroa parasite and the Asian hornet. The presentation included demonstrations of various hive types, ranging from modern structures to historical straw and log hives.