Dragonflies in North Carolina in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see dragonflies in North Carolina. It is the 3rd busiest month of the year, with 11,943 of the 65,970 sightings logged across the year (18.1%), 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.
Peak month for dragonflies in North Carolina
18.1%
of yearly sightings
11,943
records in May
#3
busiest month of 12
65,970
verified records a year
April 13%, May 18.1%, June 22.8%. Busiest month is June at 22.8%.
65,970 verified observations of dragonflies in North Carolina, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in North Carolina
Peak month
June
15,046 records (22.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 127 | 0.2% |
| February | 260 | 0.4% |
| March | 1,837 | 2.8% |
| April | 8,547 | 13% |
| Maypeak | 11,943 | 18.1% |
| Junepeak | 15,046 | 22.8% |
| Julypeak | 12,283 | 18.6% |
| August | 9,438 | 14.3% |
| September | 4,524 | 6.9% |
| October | 1,457 | 2.2% |
| November | 412 | 0.6% |
| December | 96 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 5,807 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 5,265 |
| Blue Dasher | 4,855 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 3,423 |
| Great Blue Skimmer | 2,883 |
| Fragile Forktail | 2,511 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 2,254 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,715 |
In North Carolina, May carries 18.1% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 9.8 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 3rd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (13%) into May, and it heads toward June (22.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The dragonflies most often recorded in North Carolina are Common Whitetail, Eastern Pondhawk and Blue Dasher. 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 Whitetail5,807 records
- Eastern Pondhawk5,265 records
- Blue Dasher4,855 records
- Ebony Jewelwing3,423 records
- Great Blue Skimmer2,883 records
- Fragile Forktail2,511 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in North Carolina
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in North Carolina.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in North Carolina
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 North Carolina in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 11,943 of the 65,970 verified dragonflies sightings logged in North Carolina across the year, which is 18.1% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in North Carolina?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 3rd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and May.
What month is best for dragonflies in North Carolina?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and May, based on 65,970 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in North Carolina?+
The most-recorded species in North Carolina are Common Whitetail, Eastern Pondhawk and Blue Dasher, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in North Carolina in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in North Carolina