Dragonflies in Tennessee in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Tennessee. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 3,619 of the 23,330 sightings logged across the year (15.5%), 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 Tennessee
15.5%
of yearly sightings
3,619
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
23,330
verified records a year
April 9.4%, May 15.5%, June 26.7%. Busiest month is June at 26.7%.
23,330 verified observations of dragonflies in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
June
6,234 records (26.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 0.1% |
| February | 36 | 0.2% |
| March | 290 | 1.2% |
| April | 2,187 | 9.4% |
| May | 3,619 | 15.5% |
| Junepeak | 6,234 | 26.7% |
| Julypeak | 4,694 | 20.1% |
| Augustpeak | 3,653 | 15.7% |
| September | 1,997 | 8.6% |
| October | 458 | 2% |
| November | 116 | 0.5% |
| December | 29 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 2,515 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 2,032 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 1,657 |
| Blue Dasher | 1,504 |
| Fragile Forktail | 969 |
| Widow Skimmer | 968 |
| Blue-fronted Dancer | 911 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 762 |
In Tennessee, May carries 15.5% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 7.2 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 (9.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (26.7%) after. The busiest month is June (26.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Tennessee are Common Whitetail, Ebony Jewelwing 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 Whitetail2,515 records
- Ebony Jewelwing2,032 records
- Eastern Pondhawk1,657 records
- Blue Dasher1,504 records
- Fragile Forktail969 records
- Widow Skimmer968 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Tennessee
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.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best dragonfly viewing area in Tennessee.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Tennessee
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 Tennessee in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,619 of the 23,330 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 15.5% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Tennessee?+
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 Tennessee?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 23,330 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Tennessee?+
The most-recorded species in Tennessee are Common Whitetail, Ebony Jewelwing and Eastern Pondhawk, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Tennessee in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Tennessee