Dragonflies in Ohio in September

Yes, September is a good month to see dragonflies in Ohio. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 29,481 of the 317,924 sightings logged across the year (9.3%), based on verified iNaturalist records.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Eastern Amberwing photographed in OhioBlack Saddlebags photographed in OhioRoyal River Cruiser photographed in Ohio
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for dragonflies in Ohio

9.3%

of yearly sightings

29,481

records in September

#5

busiest month of 12

317,924

verified records a year

August 16.9%, September 9.3%, October 3.1%. Busiest month is June at 30.6%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

13 records

MonthObservationsShare
January130%
February260%
March3400.1%
April5,0271.6%
May39,71512.5%
Junepeak97,36130.6%
Julypeak80,57725.3%
Augustpeak53,80416.9%
September29,4819.3%
October9,9193.1%
November1,6440.5%
December170%

Dragonflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Eastern Pondhawk19,383
Eastern Forktail19,158
Blue Dasher18,346
Fragile Forktail16,126
Common Whitetail14,480
Widow Skimmer14,060
Eastern Amberwing12,290
Ebony Jewelwing10,117

In Ohio, September carries 9.3% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (16.9%) into September, and it heads toward October (3.1%) 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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 tripCuyahoga Valley National Park

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dragonflies in Ohio in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 29,481 of the 317,924 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Ohio across the year, which is 9.3% of the annual total.

Is September a good time to see dragonflies in Ohio?+

September is the 5th 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.