Iceland — one of the world’s last remaining mosquito-free regions — has recorded the presence of mosquitoes for the first time, Hobnob News reports.
According to Matthias Alfredsson, an entomologist at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes — two females and one male — were recently discovered about 30 kilometres north of Reykjavik.
“They were all collected from wine ropes aimed at attracting moths,” Alfredsson explained, referring to a technique that uses sugar and heated wine to lure insects.
The discovery marks the first recorded occurrence of mosquitoes in Iceland’s natural environment, shattering the nation’s long-held mosquito-free status. Previously, only a single specimen of Aedes nigripes (an Arctic mosquito species) had been found decades ago on an airplane at Keflavik Airport — a case never replicated since.
Alfredsson suggested that the recent discovery could be due to a new introduction of the species, possibly brought in through ships or shipping containers.
While many experts link the global spread of mosquitoes to rising temperatures and climate change, Alfredsson noted that the Culiseta annulata species is already adapted to cold climates and capable of surviving harsh winters.
“This species appears well adapted to colder environments and can withstand long periods below freezing. Its flexible breeding habits may also help it survive Iceland’s tough conditions,” he added.
The researcher emphasized that further monitoring next spring would be essential to determine whether the insects can establish a lasting population in the country.
If confirmed, Iceland’s entry into the list of mosquito-hosting nations would underscore the increasing fragility of once-stable ecosystems amid global environmental shifts.
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