Dragonflies in Missouri in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Missouri. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 2,305 of the 16,815 sightings logged across the year (13.7%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Missouri
13.7%
of yearly sightings
2,305
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
16,815
verified records a year
April 4.5%, May 13.7%, June 27.9%. Busiest month is June at 27.9%.
16,815 verified observations of dragonflies in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
June
4,685 records (27.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 0.1% |
| February | 10 | 0.1% |
| March | 50 | 0.3% |
| April | 756 | 4.5% |
| May | 2,305 | 13.7% |
| Junepeak | 4,685 | 27.9% |
| Julypeak | 3,844 | 22.9% |
| Augustpeak | 2,974 | 17.7% |
| September | 1,554 | 9.2% |
| October | 535 | 3.2% |
| November | 85 | 0.5% |
| December | 5 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 1,670 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,215 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 1,202 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,152 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 1,031 |
| Springwater Dancer | 555 |
| Eastern Amberwing | 537 |
| Blue-fronted Dancer | 497 |
In Missouri, May carries 13.7% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 5.4 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 (4.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (27.9%) after. The busiest month is June (27.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Missouri are Common Whitetail, Widow Skimmer and Eastern Pondhawk. 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 Whitetail1,670 records
- Widow Skimmer1,215 records
- Eastern Pondhawk1,202 records
- Blue Dasher1,152 records
- Ebony Jewelwing1,031 records
- Springwater Dancer555 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Missouri
Start with live tours near George Washington Carver 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 George Washington Carver 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 George Washington Carver National Monument
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Missouri.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Missouri
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 Missouri in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,305 of the 16,815 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Missouri across the year, which is 13.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Missouri?+
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 Missouri?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 16,815 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Missouri?+
The most-recorded species in Missouri are Common Whitetail, Widow Skimmer and Eastern Pondhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Missouri in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Missouri