Dragonflies in Tennessee in September

Yes, September is a good month to see dragonflies in Tennessee. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 1,997 of the 23,330 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), 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 June 28, 2026.

Dragonhunter photographed in TennesseeTennessee Clubtail photographed in TennesseeAcuminate Snaketail photographed in Tennessee
Photos by iNaturalist observers, used under Creative Commons.

Good month for dragonflies in Tennessee

8.6%

of yearly sightings

1,997

records in September

#6

busiest month of 12

23,330

verified records a year

August 15.7%, September 8.6%, October 2%. Busiest month is June at 26.7%.

Best months: June, July, AugustPeak season right now

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)

Quietest month

January

17 records

MonthObservationsShare
January170.1%
February360.2%
March2901.2%
April2,1879.4%
May3,61915.5%
Junepeak6,23426.7%
Julypeak4,69420.1%
Augustpeak3,65315.7%
September1,9978.6%
October4582%
November1160.5%
December290.1%

Dragonflies you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Common Whitetail2,515
Ebony Jewelwing2,032
Eastern Pondhawk1,657
Blue Dasher1,504
Fragile Forktail969
Widow Skimmer968
Blue-fronted Dancer911
Slaty Skimmer762

In Tennessee, September carries 8.6% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 0.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.

Activity is easing off from August (15.7%) into September, and it heads toward October (2%) 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 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

  • Common Whitetail2,515 records
  • Ebony Jewelwing2,032 records
  • Eastern Pondhawk1,657 records
  • Blue Dasher1,504 records
  • Fragile Forktail969 records
  • Widow Skimmer968 records
Plan your tripAppalachian National Scenic Trail

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.

Frequently asked questions

Can you see dragonflies in Tennessee in September?+

Yes. September accounts for 1,997 of the 23,330 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Tennessee across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.

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

September is the 6th 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.