Dragonflies in Illinois in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Illinois. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 4,176 of the 48,951 sightings logged across the year (8.5%), 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.
Good month for dragonflies in Illinois
8.5%
of yearly sightings
4,176
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
48,951
verified records a year
April 2.3%, May 8.5%, June 32.4%. 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, May carries 8.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 0.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (2.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (32.4%) after. The busiest month is June (32.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Illinois are Common Whitetail, Eastern Forktail and Widow Skimmer. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,176 of the 48,951 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Illinois across the year, which is 8.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Illinois?+
May is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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