For the first time in history, Iceland — long considered one of the few mosquito-free places on Earth — has officially reported the presence of mosquitoes. Experts believe that the warming climate and increasing global travel may have finally made conditions suitable for the insects to survive in the Nordic island nation.
A Surprising Discovery in Iceland’s Countryside
Earlier this month, insect enthusiast Björn Hjaltason spotted an unusual fly while on a farm in Kjós, just north of Reykjavík.
“At dusk on October 16, I noticed a strange fly on a red wine ribbon,” Hjaltason told RUV, Iceland’s national broadcaster. “I immediately suspected what it was and quickly caught it. It turned out to be a female mosquito.”
Soon after, Hjaltason trapped two more specimens and handed all three over to local authorities for testing.
On Monday, the Natural Science Institute of Iceland confirmed that the insects were indeed Culiseta annulata mosquitoes — marking Iceland’s first verified mosquito discovery.
How Did Mosquitoes Arrive in Iceland?
Scientists believe the mosquitoes may have arrived in Iceland through freight or international travel, possibly hidden in imported goods or transport containers.
According to the institute, there have been previous incidents of mosquitoes being found aboard airplanes landing in Iceland, but none had survived or adapted to the local environment — until now.
The discovery of the species suggests that Iceland’s changing climate conditions may now be favourable enough to allow mosquitoes to survive, at least temporarily.
Warming Climate Behind the Change
Experts at the Natural Science Institute have linked the emergence of mosquitoes in Iceland to the warming Arctic climate.
The Arctic region is heating up at more than twice the rate of the global average, changing ecosystems and allowing new species to expand northward.
Culiseta annulata mosquitoes are native to Europe and other Nordic countries. They are known for their ability to survive in colder climates, often taking shelter in outbuildings and basements during winter months.
Are Icelanders at Risk?
While the discovery is scientifically significant, experts say there is no immediate health threat to Icelanders.
According to the institute, this mosquito species does not carry any known infectious diseases in Europe or nearby regions.
A 2017 scientific study described Culiseta annulata mosquitoes as “a biting nuisance rather than a deadly foe.”
Still, their presence highlights how climate change is reshaping even the most isolated ecosystems on Earth.
Global Context: Only Antarctica Remains Mosquito-Free
With Iceland now added to the list of nations where mosquitoes have been found, Antarctica stands as the only continent on Earth still free of mosquitoes.
Across the globe, there are more than 3,000 mosquito species, and several are known carriers of serious diseases such as:
Malaria
Dengue fever
Zika virus
West Nile virus
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that mosquito-borne illnesses cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
The Bigger Picture
The arrival of mosquitoes in Iceland serves as a stark reminder of how climate change is altering biodiversity and ecosystems in once-frozen regions.
New species are moving into territories where they previously couldn’t survive, raising questions about how Arctic nations should prepare for future environmental and biological changes.
References
Natural Science Institute of Iceland – Official report on Culiseta annulata discovery
RUV Icelandic Broadcaster – Interview with Björn Hjaltason
World Health Organization (WHO) – Data on global mosquito-borne diseases
Scientific Reports, 2017 – Study on Culiseta annulata as a cold-resistant species
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