64 Types of Dragonflies in Iowa
64 types of dragonflies from dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) have a verified observation record in Iowa. The most frequently recorded are Widow Skimmer, Ebony Jewelwing and Eastern Forktail. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
Quick Answer
64 types of dragonflies from dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata) have a verified observation record in Iowa. The most frequently recorded are Widow Skimmer, Ebony Jewelwing and Eastern Forktail. Here is the full list, ranked by how often each is reported on iNaturalist.
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Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
6,080 verified observations on iNaturalist of dragonfly have been recorded in Iowa, most often in June, July, August.
When dragonfly are recorded in Iowa
Verified species, source iNaturalist
64 types of dragonflies recorded in Iowa
64 dragonfly species have a verified observation record in Iowa across dragonflies and damselflies (order Odonata), each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The 50 most frequently recorded are shown below.
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Also recorded in Iowa
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Black SaddlebagsTramea lacerata | Tramea lacerata | 95 |
| 14 | Powdered DancerArgia moesta | Argia moesta | 82 |
| 15 | American RubyspotHetaerina americana | Hetaerina americana | 73 |
| 16 | Springwater DancerArgia funebris | Argia funebris | 70 |
| 17 | Band-winged MeadowhawkSympetrum semicinctum | Sympetrum semicinctum | 68 |
| 18 | Autumn MeadowhawkSympetrum vicinum | Sympetrum vicinum | 61 |
| 19 | Slender SpreadwingLestes rectangularis | Lestes rectangularis | 57 |
| 20 | Variegated MeadowhawkSympetrum corruptum | Sympetrum corruptum | 52 |
| 21 | Azure BluetEnallagma aspersum | Enallagma aspersum | 52 |
| 22 | Great SpreadwingArchilestes grandis | Archilestes grandis | 51 |
| 23 | Skimming BluetEnallagma geminatum | Enallagma geminatum | 49 |
| 24 | White-faced MeadowhawkSympetrum obtrusum | Sympetrum obtrusum | 46 |
| 25 | Plains ClubtailGomphurus externus | Gomphurus externus | 46 |
| 26 | Orange BluetEnallagma signatum | Enallagma signatum | 44 |
| 27 | Fragile ForktailIschnura posita | Ischnura posita | 44 |
| 28 | Cobra ClubtailGomphurus vastus | Gomphurus vastus | 38 |
| 29 | Calico PennantCelithemis elisa | Celithemis elisa | 33 |
| 30 | Prince BaskettailEpitheca princeps | Epitheca princeps | 32 |
| 31 | Dot-tailed WhitefaceLeucorrhinia intacta | Leucorrhinia intacta | 32 |
| 32 | Common SanddragonProgomphus obscurus | Progomphus obscurus | 31 |
| 33 | Lyre-tipped SpreadwingLestes unguiculatus | Lestes unguiculatus | 30 |
| 34 | Stream BluetEnallagma exsulans | Enallagma exsulans | 27 |
| 35 | Shadow DarnerAeshna umbrosa | Aeshna umbrosa | 26 |
| 36 | Lance-tipped DarnerAeshna constricta | Aeshna constricta | 26 |
| 37 | Midland ClubtailGomphurus fraternus | Gomphurus fraternus | 26 |
| 38 | Jade ClubtailArigomphus submedianus | Arigomphus submedianus | 25 |
| 39 | Red SaddlebagsTramea onusta | Tramea onusta | 25 |
| 40 | Common BaskettailEpitheca cynosura | Epitheca cynosura | 23 |
| 41 | Wandering GliderPantala flavescens | Pantala flavescens | 23 |
| 42 | Variable DancerArgia fumipennis | Argia fumipennis | 22 |
| 43 | Blue-tipped DancerArgia tibialis | Argia tibialis | 22 |
| 44 | Rainbow BluetEnallagma antennatum | Enallagma antennatum | 20 |
| 45 | Spot-winged GliderPantala hymenaea | Pantala hymenaea | 18 |
| 46 | Flag-tailed SpinylegDromogomphus spoliatus | Dromogomphus spoliatus | 18 |
| 47 | Tule BluetEnallagma carunculatum | Enallagma carunculatum | 18 |
| 48 | Ruby MeadowhawkSympetrum rubicundulum | Sympetrum rubicundulum | 17 |
| 49 | Slender BluetEnallagma traviatum | Enallagma traviatum | 16 |
| 50 | Horned ClubtailArigomphus cornutus | Arigomphus cornutus | 15 |
Plus 14 more established dragonflies species beyond the top 50. And 42 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
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Top Iowa Dragonfly Gifts
The Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is the most commonly recorded, with 529 verified observations, about 11% of all dragonflies reported in Iowa. If you spot a dragonflie here, it is statistically most likely to be this one.
Iowa also hosts less common dragonflies such as Black Saddlebags, Powdered Dancer and American Rubyspot, each recorded fewer than 100 times. These are the species worth a second look when you are out, since a sighting is more notable.