Dragonflies in West Virginia in May
Yes, May is a good month to see dragonflies in West Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 616 of the 6,384 sightings logged across the year (9.6%), 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 West Virginia
9.6%
of yearly sightings
616
records in May
#4
busiest month of 12
6,384
verified records a year
April 1.6%, May 9.6%, June 34.5%. Busiest month is June at 34.5%.
6,384 verified observations of dragonflies in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When dragonflies are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
June
2,202 records (34.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0% |
| February | 7 | 0.1% |
| March | 14 | 0.2% |
| April | 104 | 1.6% |
| May | 616 | 9.6% |
| Junepeak | 2,202 | 34.5% |
| Julypeak | 1,598 | 25% |
| Augustpeak | 1,234 | 19.3% |
| September | 433 | 6.8% |
| October | 129 | 2% |
| November | 38 | 0.6% |
| December | 7 | 0.1% |
Dragonflies you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Whitetail | 505 |
| Ebony Jewelwing | 428 |
| Widow Skimmer | 288 |
| Eastern Pondhawk | 233 |
| Powdered Dancer | 205 |
| Variable Dancer | 183 |
| Fragile Forktail | 179 |
| Blue Dasher | 178 |
In West Virginia, May carries 9.6% of the year's dragonflies sightings, about 1.3 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 (1.6%) into May, and it heads toward June (34.5%) after. The busiest month is June (34.5%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The dragonflies most often recorded in West Virginia are Common Whitetail, Ebony Jewelwing and Widow Skimmer. 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 Whitetail505 records
- Ebony Jewelwing428 records
- Widow Skimmer288 records
- Eastern Pondhawk233 records
- Powdered Dancer205 records
- Variable Dancer183 records
Plan your dragonfly trip in West 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 West Virginia.
Viator
Broader backupBook a dragonfly tour in West 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 West Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 616 of the 6,384 verified dragonflies sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 9.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see dragonflies in West 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 West Virginia?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 6,384 verified observations.
Which dragonflies are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Common Whitetail, Ebony Jewelwing and Widow Skimmer, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See dragonflies in West Virginia in other months
More places to see dragonflies
More wildlife in West Virginia