Dragonflies in Pennsylvania in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Pennsylvania. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 2,778 of the 32,494 sightings logged across the year (8.5%), 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 June 28, 2026.
Good month for dragonflies in Pennsylvania
8.5%
of yearly sightings
2,778
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
32,494
verified records a year
April 1.5%, May 8.5%, June 31.9%. Busiest month is June at 31.9%.
32,494 verified observations of dragonflies in Pennsylvania, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Pennsylvania
Peak month
June
10,371 records (31.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14 | 0% |
| February | 15 | 0% |
| March | 71 | 0.2% |
| April | 502 | 1.5% |
| May | 2,778 | 8.5% |
| Junepeak | 10,371 | 31.9% |
| Julypeak | 9,831 | 30.3% |
| Augustpeak | 5,530 | 17% |
| September | 2,265 | 7% |
| October | 797 | 2.5% |
| November | 309 | 1% |
| December | 11 | 0% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Ebony Jewelwing | 2,689 |
| Common Whitetail | 2,329 |
| Blue Dasher | 2,142 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 1,483 |
| Widow Skimmer | 1,359 |
| Fragile Forktail | 1,221 |
| Autumn Meadowhawk | 1,085 |
| Eastern Forktail | 1,080 |
In Pennsylvania, May carries 8.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 0.2 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 (1.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (31.9%) after. The busiest month is June (31.9%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Pennsylvania are Ebony Jewelwing, Common Whitetail 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
- Ebony Jewelwing2,689 records
- Common Whitetail2,329 records
- Blue Dasher2,142 records
- Eastern Pondhawk1,483 records
- Widow Skimmer1,359 records
- Fragile Forktail1,221 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 2,778 of the 32,494 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Pennsylvania across the year, which is 8.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Pennsylvania?+
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 Pennsylvania?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 32,494 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Pennsylvania?+
The most-recorded species in Pennsylvania are Ebony Jewelwing, Common Whitetail and Blue Dasher, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Pennsylvania in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Pennsylvania