Dragonflies in Iowa in September
Yes, September is a good month to see dragonflies in Iowa. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 601 of the 6,080 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), 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 Iowa
9.9%
of yearly sightings
601
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
6,080
verified records a year
August 15.7%, September 9.9%, October 2.5%. Busiest month is June at 36.6%.
6,080 verified observations of dragonflies in Iowa, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Iowa
Peak month
June
2,227 records (36.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 16 | 0.3% |
| April | 100 | 1.6% |
| May | 359 | 5.9% |
| Junepeak | 2,227 | 36.6% |
| Julypeak | 1,653 | 27.2% |
| Augustpeak | 953 | 15.7% |
| September | 601 | 9.9% |
| October | 152 | 2.5% |
| November | 15 | 0.2% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Widow Skimmer | 506 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 397 |
| Eastern Forktail | 364 |
| Common Whitetail | 341 |
| Common Green Darner | 306 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 273 |
| Blue-fronted Dancer | 244 |
| Twelve-spotted Skimmer | 214 |
In Iowa, September carries 9.9% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 1.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (15.7%) into September, and it heads toward October (2.5%) after. The busiest month is June (36.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Iowa are Widow Skimmer, Ebony Jewelwing and Eastern Forktail. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September itself.
Which dragonflies you are most likely to see
- Widow Skimmer506 records
- Ebony Jewelwing397 records
- Eastern Forktail364 records
- Common Whitetail341 records
- Common Green Darner306 records
- Eastern Pondhawk273 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Iowa
Start with live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Effigy Mounds National Monument
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main dragonfly viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Effigy Mounds National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Iowa.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Iowa
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 Iowa in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 601 of the 6,080 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Iowa across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see dragonflies in Iowa?+
September 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 Iowa?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 6,080 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Iowa?+
The most-recorded species in Iowa are Widow Skimmer, Ebony Jewelwing and Eastern Forktail, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Iowa in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Iowa