Info for Knoxville, TN area

[bandrow]

Greetings!

At the end of May, I'll be visiting family in Lenoir City, TN - southwest of Knoxville, and I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience collecting in the area (maybe Beetlehorn)? In particular, I'm looking for places to blacklight. Also, does anyone know how restrictive the Tennessee state parks are as far as collecting? Are permits required, or can permission usually be gotten in person at the offices? I know that the mountains to the East are largely national forest (and park) so I'm aware of those restrictions. I'm a coleopterist, so good beetle spots are what I'm hunting for...

Thanks!
Bandrow

[leptraps]

I sent you a PM.

[bandrow]

Got it - sent one back...

[beetlehorn]

I have never collected in the Knoxville area, nor have I collected in any state parks. I would imagine that permission can be gained by asking. If I were to go collecting in this area I would look for old growth forest, especially species of oak. Look for decomposing oak trees, and you may well find some of the more desirable species such as Lucanus elaphus. At the end of May this year the moon phase should make for some good collecting. I have at times encountered some rather large males in late spring in Tennessee, but as we all know each year is different to some degree. I also look for sandy shorelines around ponds, or open areas, even gravel roads for Tiger beetles (Cicindela) at this time of year, because they usually start flying around April.

[prillbug4]

I would take cups for pitfall traps, since you might find Scaphinotis and other ground beetles in the area. Also probably Staphylinidae, and probably Scarabaeidae. The Cerambycidae might be numerous down there. And I would check gas station lights for Dynastes tityus. Also take your sweep net and collect along the sides of roads, if you can park somewhere. You're going to be nearby Southern Illinois, and Shawnee National Forest is not too far away, and you can collect without permits. Bald Knob is usually open, and has a picnic pavilion with electricity to set up mercury vapor lights. But then, you probably thought of most of this, since you're very experienced.
Jeff Prill

[bandrow]

Thanks Beetlehorn and Prillbug4,

All good advice! I'd love to have the time to run pitfalls in the mountains for Scaphinotus, but the trip is too short for that - I'll only have 2 days in the field, at the most. I may go after them headlamping, though - I've actually done quite well that way, once you get the feel for them. I may set a few around the family's house - they have some nice woods - maybe Scaphinotus elevatus could be down in the lower areas.

I've heard the lights around the fireworks stores near Lake Nickajack can be killer when the timing's right - I may drive down there one night and "cheat" and walk the parking lots instead of running a sheet somewhere.

Thanks again!
Bandrow