Dragonflies in Utah: Identification Guide and Best Places to Start

Dragonflies in Utah cluster around any water source: ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes. Top spots include the wetlands at Bear River, Utah Lake, the Provo River, and backyard ponds in the Salt Lake Valley. They're also often seen around irrigation canals and slow-moving streams in the Uinta Basin.

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Late May through September is prime time. Warm, sunny days after a rain shower bring out the most activity. Dragonflies are most active when temperatures hit 70-85°F, and you'll often see them hunting near water in the late morning and early afternoon.

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Look for four long, clear or patterned wings held straight out from the body. Their large compound eyes cover most of the head, and their slender, elongated abdomen is a dead giveaway. Fairly simple to separate from damselflies, which fold their wings along the body when at rest.

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Utah hosts several common species. The Common Green Darner is a large, green-thoraxed dragonfly often seen in open areas. The Blue Dasher has a pale blue abdomen and white face. The Variegated Meadowhawk, with its red body and clear wing tips, is another frequent sight near marshes.

Still or slow-moving water with emergent vegetation is your best bet. Cattail marshes, lily pad ponds, and sedge-lined rivers all draw dragonflies. They also hunt in open meadows and clearings within a quarter mile of water, so check those as well.