Dragonflies in Ohio in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Ohio. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 39,715 of the 317,924 sightings logged across the year (12.5%), 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 Ohio
12.5%
of yearly sightings
39,715
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
317,924
verified records a year
April 1.6%, May 12.5%, June 30.6%. Busiest month is June at 30.6%.
317,924 verified observations of dragonflies in Ohio, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Ohio
Peak month
June
97,361 records (30.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13 | 0% |
| February | 26 | 0% |
| March | 340 | 0.1% |
| April | 5,027 | 1.6% |
| May | 39,715 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 97,361 | 30.6% |
| Julypeak | 80,577 | 25.3% |
| Augustpeak | 53,804 | 16.9% |
| September | 29,481 | 9.3% |
| October | 9,919 | 3.1% |
| November | 1,644 | 0.5% |
| December | 17 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Pondhawk | 19,383 |
| Eastern Forktail | 19,158 |
| Blue Dasher | 18,346 |
| Fragile Forktail | 16,126 |
| Common Whitetail | 14,480 |
| Widow Skimmer | 14,060 |
| Eastern Amberwing | 12,290 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 10,117 |
In Ohio, May carries 12.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 4.2 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 (1.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (30.6%) after. The busiest month is June (30.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Ohio are Eastern Pondhawk, Eastern Forktail 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
- Eastern Pondhawk19,383 records
- Eastern Forktail19,158 records
- Blue Dasher18,346 records
- Fragile Forktail16,126 records
- Common Whitetail14,480 records
- Widow Skimmer14,060 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Ohio
Start with live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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 Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Ohio.
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Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Ohio
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 Ohio in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 39,715 of the 317,924 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Ohio across the year, which is 12.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Ohio?+
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 Ohio?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 317,924 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Ohio?+
The most-recorded species in Ohio are Eastern Pondhawk, Eastern Forktail and Blue Dasher, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Ohio in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Ohio