Best Time to See Dragonflies in Maine
July, June and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Maine. Based on 20,410 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Maine.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
Calico Pennant · Fyn Kynd CC BY-SA
Broad-tailed Shadowdragon · Nick Block CC BY
Quebec Emerald · Nick Block CC BY
20,410 verified observations of dragonflies in Maine, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Maine
Peak month
July
6,582 records (32.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 0% |
| February | 2 | 0% |
| March | 6 | 0% |
| April | 25 | 0.1% |
| May | 1,240 | 6.1% |
| Junepeak | 5,692 | 27.9% |
| Julypeak | 6,582 | 32.2% |
| Augustpeak | 4,418 | 21.6% |
| September | 1,763 | 8.6% |
| October | 554 | 2.7% |
| November | 121 | 0.6% |
| December | 3 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 1,094 |
| Eastern Forktail | 689 |
| Chalk-fronted Corporal | 675 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 644 |
| Common Whitetail | 607 |
| Variable Dancer | 564 |
| Calico Pennant | 563 |
| Blue Dasher | 548 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maine
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 54 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°F | 11°F | 4" |
| Feb | 28°F | 11°F | 3.1" |
| Mar | 39°F | 20°F | 2.7" |
| Apr | 51°F | 32°F | 4.8" |
| May | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2" |
| Junbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 3.7" |
| Julbest time | 80°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Augbest time | 77°F | 60°F | 4.7" |
| Sep | 69°F | 53°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 43°F | 5.3" |
| Nov | 43°F | 29°F | 3.8" |
| Dec | 34°F | 20°F | 5" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maine. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Maine:
Sightings of dragonflies in Maine peak in July, when 6,582 of the year's 20,410 verified observations are logged — about 32.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through July, June and August.
The quietest stretch is February and December, when dragonflies are hardest to find — February sees just 2 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Maine are Autumn Meadowhawk, Eastern Forktail and Chalk-fronted Corporal — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see dragonflies in Maine
- Acadia National Park — National Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument — National Monument
- Saint Croix Island International Historic Site — International Historic Site
- Frances Perkins National Monument — National Monument
- Maine Acadian Culture
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Maine?+
July is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through July, June and August, based on 20,410 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Maine?+
February is the quietest month for dragonflies in Maine, with only 2 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Maine?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maine, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in July.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Maine