Termites may provide a new way to produce ethanol that could one day surpass corn and sugar cane-based technology.  Termites host microbes that can transform wood waste into sugar for ethanol production "in an effective and economic way."  The United States is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in alternative fuels and part of it is being spent on termites, Steiner said.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/04/050425111110.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070305/sc_afp/brazilunenergyscience