Research Projects

Biochemical Attractants for Formosan Termites

The goal of this project is to elucidate the interaction between termites and lignin-degrading fungi and to isolate and identify the mycological attractant for Formosan termites (Coptotermes formosanus) and Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes). The lack of such attractant for commercial “baits” constitutes an important barrier for the effective treatment and control of termites.

Microbiological Formulations

White-rot fungi are being encapsulated in a sodium-alginate matrix for the in-situ application to contaminated soils and groundwater. Our patented formulation protocols can also be applied to customize microbiological formulations including bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi and some protists.

References

K.G. Wunch,, J. Copeland, M. Plishker, H. Pace, and J.L. Cook. 2006. (Submittted). Correlation of fungal ligninolytic enzyme production to subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) attraction. Journal of Economic Entomology.

W.L. Lutterschmidt, E.D. Roth, K.G. Wunch, E. Levin and L. H. James. 2006. (In Press). Bacterial Microflora in the Esophageal Tract of Two Agkistrodontid Snakes: Additional Evidence for Food Partitioning. Herpetological Natural History.

M.L. Cornelius, D.J. Daigle, W.J. Connick Jr., A. Parker, and K.G. Wunch. 2002. Responses of Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes (ISOPTERA: Rhinotermitidae)to three types of wood rot fungi cultured on different substrates. Journal of Economic Entomology 95: 121-128.

J.W. Bennett, W.J. Connick Jr., D. Daigle and K.G. Wunch. 2002. Formulation of filamentous fungi for in situ bioremediation. In: Fungi in Bioremediation. Ed., G.M. Gadd, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

J.W. Bennett, K.G. Wunch and B.D. Faison. 2002. Use of fungi in biodegradation. In: Manual of Environmental Microbiology. Ed., C.J. Hurst. ASM Press, Washington, D.C.

J.W. Bennett, A.M. Childress, W.J. Connick Jr., and K.G. Wunch. 2001. Fungal Compositions [and methods] for bioremediation. U.S. Patent # US6,204.049B1.