Here is an interesting research article posted on PLoS ONE, a respected on-line scientific journal. The article discusses the effects with the honey bee when oxytetracycline, a common antibiotic used in hives, systemically combines with commonly used acaricides (coumaphos and τ-fluvalinate). A conclusion of the research is that, because of the mechanisim that these chemicals are treated in a honey bee, the adverse effects of the pesticides are increased.
In the words of the researchers: “Many bee hives receive regular treatments of oxytetracycline and acaricides for prevention and treatment of disease and parasites. Our results suggest that seasonal co-application of these medicines to bee hives could increase the adverse effects of these and perhaps other pesticides. ”
Read the entire article at http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0026796
