Additional Coverage:
Mosquitoes, a First for Iceland, Spotted Near Reykjavik
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND – For the first time on record, mosquitoes have been discovered in the natural environment of Iceland, a country long considered one of the world’s few mosquito-free zones. The find, consisting of three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes, occurred approximately 20 miles north of the capital, Reykjavik.
Matthías Alfreðsson, an entomologist at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, confirmed the identification of two female and one male mosquito. The insects were collected from “wine ropes,” a method typically used to attract moths by dipping fabric strips in a heated sugar and wine solution and hanging them outdoors.
According to the Icelandic Monitor, local resident Björn Hjaltason was the first to spot the mosquitoes in his residential backyard over several days. He subsequently captured the specimens and sent them to Alfreðsson for expert identification. “If three of them came straight into my garden, there were probably more,” Hjaltason told the publication, expressing concern.
Iceland, along with Antarctica, has historically been one of the rare places on Earth devoid of a native mosquito population, despite neighboring countries like Norway, Scotland, and Greenland being home to the insects. Alfreðsson noted that while a single Aedes nigripes specimen (an arctic mosquito species) was once collected from an airplane at Keflavik airport many years ago, that specimen is now lost, making this the first confirmed record of mosquitoes in the country’s natural habitat.
The entomologist suggests that their presence could “indicate a recent introduction to the country, possibly via ships or containers.” Further monitoring during the spring season will be crucial to assess any potential spread.
While rising temperatures, longer summers, and milder winters-all consequences of climate change-are known to create more favorable conditions for mosquito proliferation, Alfreðsson does not believe climate change is the primary factor behind this particular discovery. He noted that the Culiseta annulata species is “well adapted to colder climates,” capable of enduring “long, harsh winters when temperatures drop below freezing.” Its “diverse breeding habitats” also contribute to its ability to persist in challenging environments.
Iceland has been proactive in combating climate change, including the establishment of a large carbon capture facility and the planet’s first direct air capture plant. However, the unexpected arrival of mosquitoes highlights the ongoing need for vigilance regarding new species introductions.