Best Time to See Dragonflies in Virginia
June, July and August is the best time to see dragonflies in Virginia. Based on 67,552 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when dragonflies are most active across the year in Virginia.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Burgundy Bluet · Laura Gaudette CC BY
Common Green Darner · Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA
Red-veined Pennant · Paul Bedell CC BY-SA
67,552 verified observations of dragonflies in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
June
18,708 records (27.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29 | 0% |
| February | 58 | 0.1% |
| March | 414 | 0.6% |
| April | 5,228 | 7.7% |
| May | 10,033 | 14.9% |
| Junepeak | 18,708 | 27.7% |
| Julypeak | 15,167 | 22.5% |
| Augustpeak | 10,848 | 16.1% |
| September | 4,881 | 7.2% |
| October | 1,643 | 2.4% |
| November | 489 | 0.7% |
| December | 54 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 6,231 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 4,592 |
| Blue Dasher | 4,459 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 3,367 |
| Widow Skimmer | 2,693 |
| Great Blue Skimmer | 2,611 |
| Fragile Forktail | 2,559 |
| Slaty Skimmer | 2,419 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Virginia
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when dragonflies are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for dragonflies sit around 64 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47°F | 30°F | 3.2" |
| Feb | 52°F | 33°F | 4" |
| Mar | 60°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Apr | 70°F | 46°F | 3.9" |
| May | 77°F | 56°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 86°F | 64°F | 3.1" |
| Julbest time | 92°F | 70°F | 3.2" |
| Augbest time | 88°F | 68°F | 3.8" |
| Sep | 82°F | 62°F | 2.9" |
| Oct | 71°F | 52°F | 3.6" |
| Nov | 59°F | 39°F | 3.1" |
| Dec | 52°F | 34°F | 4" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Virginia. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on dragonflies in Virginia:
Sightings of dragonflies in Virginia peak in June, when 18,708 of the year's 67,552 verified observations are logged — about 27.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is January, when dragonflies are hardest to find — January sees just 29 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The dragonflies you are most likely to encounter in Virginia are Common Whitetail, Eastern Pondhawk and Blue Dasher — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see dragonflies in Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Blue Ridge Parkway — Parkway
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see dragonflies in Virginia?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 67,552 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are dragonflies hardest to see in Virginia?+
January is the quietest month for dragonflies in Virginia, with only 29 verified records.
Are dragonflies active year-round in Virginia?+
Dragonflies are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Virginia, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Virginia