Dragonflies in Iowa
Some of Iowa’s best places to spot dragonflies are streams, rivers, open swamps, marshes, bogs, lakes, and ponds. You will likely find different kinds of dragonflies in different types of water bodies. They are fascinating to watch in summer, all thanks to their graceful flights. Jewelry makers and artists draw inspiration from their long, brightly colored slender bodies and sparkling, transparent wings.
Types of Dragonflies in Iowa
- Canada Darner
- Lance-tipped Darner
- Variable Darner
- Black-tipped Darner
- Shadow Darner
- Green-striped Darner
- Blue-eyed Darner
- Spatterdock Darner
- Common Green Darner
- Springtime Darner
- Fawn Darner
- Swamp Darner
- Cyrano Darner
- Horned Clubtail
- Jade Clubtail
- Flag-tailed Spinyleg
- Plains Clubtail
- Midland Clubtail
- Cobra Clubtail
- Rusty Snaketail
- Pale Snaketail
- Sioux Snaketail
- Westfall’s Snaketail
- Pronghorn Clubtail
- Sulphur-tipped Clubtail
- Rapids Clubtail
- Common Sanddragon
- Riverine Clubtail
- Brimstone Clubtail
- Elusive Clubtail
- Russet-tipped Clubtail
- Arrow Clubtail
- Stream Cruiser
- Swift River Cruiser
- Royal River Cruiser
- Slender Baskettail
- Common Baskettail
- Prince Baskettail
- Smoky Shadowdragon
- Stygian Shadowdragon
- Plains Emerald
- Mocha Emerald
- Calico Pennant
- Halloween Pennant
- Banded Pennant
- Eastern Pondhawk
- Great Pondhawk
- Band-winged Dragonlet
- Dot-tailed Whiteface
- Blue Corporal
- Golden-winged Skimmer
- Spangled Skimmer
- Slaty Skimmer
- Widow Skimmer
- Twelve-spotted Skimmer
- Four-spotted Skimmer
- Painted Skimmer
- Great Blue Skimmer
- Blue Dasher
- Wandering Glider
- Spot-winged Glider
- Eastern Amberwing
- Common Whitetail
- Blue-faced Meadowhawk
- Variegated Meadowhawk
- Saffron-winged Meadowhawk
- Black Meadowhawk
- Cherry-faced Meadowhawk
- White-faced Meadowhawk
- Band-winged Meadowhawk
- Ruby Meadowhawk
- Autumn Meadowhawk
- Striped Saddlebags
- Carolina Saddlebags
- Black Saddlebags
- Red Saddlebags
