What is an example of a VFD drug used to treat American Foulbrood in honeybees?

• A. Penicillin
• B. Streptomycin
• C. Oxytetracycline
• D. Tylosin

Answer: (D)

VFD drugs are medications that can only be used under the supervision of a veterinarian and strictly according to the product’s label. For American foulbrood, a bacterial disease of honey bees, the antibiotic that is specifically approved and labeled for use in beehives under a VFD is tylosin. That makes it the best answer because it reflects the regulatory requirement: the drug must be a VFD-listed option for this disease in bees. The other antibiotics listed are not the VFD-labeled choice for treating American foulbrood in honey bees, and their use in this context isn’t aligned with the VFD labeling. Remember that even with a VFD drug, proper beekeeping practices and colony sanitation are essential, since antibiotics don’t eliminate the spores of the disease.