Dragonflies of Iowa

Dragonfly Characteristics

Click on a family name or species name for more information.

Darners Aeshnidae Early Date Late Date Counties Recorded
Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis July 23 October 5 11
Lance-tipped Darner Aeshna constricta June 9 October 20 57
Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta lineata June 23 October 4 14
Black-tipped Darner Aeshna tuberculifera August 22 August 22 1
Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa July 18 October 23 68
Green-striped Darner Aeshna verticalis August 1 October 11 7
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeshna multicolor May 21 October 5 18
Spatterdock Darner Rhionaeshna mutata May 20 June 3 1
Common Green Darner Anax junius March 21 November 11 99
Springtime Darner Basiaeschna janata April 23 May 13 2
Fawn Darner Boyeria vinosa June 15 November 11 70
Swamp Darner Epiaeschna heros April 24 July 16 5
Cyrano Darner Nasiaeschna pentacantha June 2 July 14 11
Clubtails Gomphidae Early Date Late Date Counties Recorded
Horned Clubtail Arigomphus cornutus May 28 August 2 34
Jade Clubtail Arigomphus submedianus May 27 September 1 61
Flag-tailed Spinyleg Dromogomphus spoliatus June 27 September 15 25
Plains Clubtail Gomphurus externus May 16 September 10 79
Midland Clubtail Gomphurus fraternus May 27 August 15 25
Cobra Clubtail Gomphurus vastus May 22 August 27 29
Rusty Snaketail Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis May 27 July 31 4
Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus severus June 25 August 1 1
Sioux Snaketail Ophiogomphus smithi May 27 July 19 5
Westfall's Snaketail Ophiogomphus westfalli June 15 June 24 1
Pronghorn Clubtail Phanogomphus graslinellus May 25 August 8 38
Sulphur-tipped Clubtail Phanogomphus militaris June 21 July 7 6
Rapids Clubtail Phanogomphus quadricolor June 17 July 6 2
Common Sanddragon Progomphus obscurus June 6 October 13 44
Riverine Clubtail Stylurus amnicola June 20 September 14 43
Brimstone Clubtail Stylurus intricatus July 24 September 15 3
Elusive Clubtail Stylurus notatus June 3 September 15 36
Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus June 30 October 17 34
Arrow Clubtail Stylurus spiniceps August 8 September 15 2
Cruisers Macromiidae Early Date Late Date Counties Recorded
Stream Cruiser Didymops transversa May 5 May 10 1
Swift River Cruiser Macromia illinoiensis June 7 September 13 30
Royal River Cruiser Macromia taeniolata July 10 October 5 9
Emeralds Corduliidae Early Date Late Date Counties Recorded
Slender Baskettail Epitheca costalis May 22 July 14 2
Common Baskettail Epitheca cynosura April 6 August 17 96
Prince Baskettail Epitheca princeps May 29 September 15 91
Smoky Shadowdragon Neurocordulia molesta May 28 July 14 8
Stygian Shadowdragon Neurocordulia yamaskanensis May 28 July 14 2
Plains Emerald Somatochlora ensigera July 7 September 6 21
Mocha Emerald Somatochlora lineares June 17 August 24 4
Skimmers Libellulidae Early Date Late Date Counties Recorded
Calico Pennant Celithemis elisa May 21 September 17 47
Halloween Pennant Celithemis eponina June 12 September 20 91
Banded Pennant Celithemmis fasciata June 15 June 23 3
Eastern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis May 20 October 11 99
Great Pondhawk Erythemis vesiculosa June 4 June 4 1
Band-winged Dragonlet Erythrodiplax umbrata July 24 August 28 1
Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta May 9 August 6 74
Blue Corporal Ladonna deplanata May 16 May 16 1
Golden-winged Skimmer Libellula auripennis July 8 July 10 2
Spangled Skimmer Libellula cyanea May 28 July 18 13
Slaty Skimmer Libellula incesta June 6 September 12 17
Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa May 28 October 4 99
Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella May 15 October 4 99
Four-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata May 17 August 5 22
Painted Skimmer Libellula semifasciata May 29 June 13 2
Great Blue Skimmer Libellula vibrans July 14 July 14 1
Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis May 22 September 30 96
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens June 7 October 23 70
Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea May 13 October 1 42
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera May 23 October 6 97
Common Whitetail Plathemis lydia April 27 October 6 99
Blue-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum ambiguum June 2 October 6 13
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum March 26 October 29 54
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum costiferum June 30 November 7 56
Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae September 26 October 12 5
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum June 12 October 18 61
White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum June 2 October 23 84
Band-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale June 17 September 28 68
Ruby Meadowhawk Sympetrum rubicundulum May 30 October 19 93
Autumn Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum June 29 November 17 61
Striped Saddlebags Trama calverti May 15 September 16 4
Carolina Saddlebags Tramea carolina May 28 August 18 1
Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata May 18 October 10 99
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta May 7 October 4 68