Dragonflies in Virginia in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 10,033 of the 67,552 sightings logged across the year (14.9%), 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 Virginia
14.9%
of yearly sightings
10,033
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
67,552
verified records a year
April 7.7%, May 14.9%, June 27.7%. Busiest month is June at 27.7%.
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 |
In Virginia, May carries 14.9% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 6.6 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 (7.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (27.7%) after. The busiest month is June (27.7%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in Virginia are Common Whitetail, Eastern Pondhawk 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
- Common Whitetail6,231 records
- Eastern Pondhawk4,592 records
- Blue Dasher4,459 records
- Ebony Jewelwing3,367 records
- Widow Skimmer2,693 records
- Great Blue Skimmer2,611 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in Virginia
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 Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in Virginia
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 Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 10,033 of the 67,552 verified dragonflies sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 14.9% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in Virginia?+
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 Virginia?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 67,552 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Common Whitetail, Eastern Pondhawk and Blue Dasher, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in Virginia in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in Virginia