Dragonflies in Illinois in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see dragonflies in Illinois. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 8,390 of the 48,951 sightings logged across the year (17.1%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for dragonflies in Illinois
17.1%
of yearly sightings
8,390
records in August
#3
busiest month of 12
48,951
verified records a year
July 28.6%, August 17.1%, September 8.3%. Busiest month is June at 32.4%.
48,951 verified observations of dragonflies in Illinois, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Illinois
Peak month
June
15,869 records (32.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3 | 0% |
| February | 4 | 0% |
| March | 97 | 0.2% |
| April | 1,122 | 2.3% |
| May | 4,176 | 8.5% |
| Junepeak | 15,869 | 32.4% |
| Julypeak | 13,997 | 28.6% |
| Augustpeak | 8,390 | 17.1% |
| September | 4,050 | 8.3% |
| October | 1,088 | 2.2% |
| November | 151 | 0.3% |
| December | 4 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 3,807 |
| Eastern Forktail | 3,633 |
| Widow Skimmer | 3,189 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 3,158 |
| Blue Dasher | 3,090 |
| Common Green Darner | 2,007 |
| Eastern Amberwing | 1,865 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,676 |
In Illinois, August carries 17.1% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 8.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (28.6%) into August, and it heads toward September (8.3%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Illinois are Common Whitetail, Eastern Forktail and Widow Skimmer. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Common Whitetail3,807 records
- Eastern Forktail3,633 records
- Widow Skimmer3,189 records
- Eastern Pondhawk3,158 records
- Blue Dasher3,090 records
- Common Green Darner2,007 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Illinois
Start with live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Illinois.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Illinois
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see dragonflies in Illinois in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 8,390 of the 48,951 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 17.1% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see dragonflies in Illinois?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for dragonflies in Illinois?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 48,951 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Illinois?+
The most-recorded species in Illinois are Common Whitetail, Eastern Forktail and Widow Skimmer, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Illinois in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Illinois