Re: [IUFRO RG 7.03 FORENT] Fungi in my Relaxing Chamber

Dear Martin, As you know, I'm only a pathologist with an amateur interest in insects, and so I'm not qualified to comment on whether insect specimens might be harmed by volatile sterilants. I have, however, occasionally used propylene oxide as a volatile sterilant for plant material. Perhaps a professional entomologist could say whether this would spoil insect specimens. Also, the current health and safety requirements would need to be checked. I always did the sterilisation in a fume cupboard (extraction hood). Best wishes, David Lonsdale -----Original Message----- From: rg70300-forent-bounces(a)lists.iufro.org [mailto:rg70300-forent-bounces@lists.iufro.org]On Behalf Of Martin MacKenzie Sent: 09 January 2010 04:59 To: rg70300-forent(a)lists.iufro.org Subject: [IUFRO RG 7.03 FORENT] Fungi in my Relaxing Chamber Folks, As I believe, we can not separate the insects from the fungi they facilitate (or vice versa), this pathologist has gone over to the dark side and begun to study entomology. So this amateur entomologist has a question for the professional entomologists: "What volatile fungicide can I add to my relaxing chamber to prevent the growth of fungi ?" Yours, Dr. Martin MacKenzie, Forest Pathologist Southern Sierra Shared Service Area (209) 532 3671 ext 242 Stanislaus National Forest 19777 Greenley Road Sonora, CA 95370 qui docet discit