22.10.2025 08:30
Iceland, known as one of the few places in the world without mosquitoes, is now losing this characteristic. For the first time, mosquitoes have been detected in the wild in the country.
An entomologist from the Icelandic Institute of Natural Sciences, Matthias Alfredsson, announced that they captured three Culiseta annulata mosquito species — two females and one male — about 30 kilometers north of the capital Reykjavik.
FOUND IN TRAPS
The mosquitoes were found in traps set with strings soaked in a mixture of heated wine and sugar, typically used to attract butterflies.
“FIRST RECORDED IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT”
Alfredsson stated, “This is the first time mosquitoes have been recorded in a natural environment in Iceland.” Previously, only one arctic species had been identified, which was found years ago coming from a plane that landed at Keflavik Airport, but that specimen was later lost. The expert believes that the mosquitoes may have been brought to the country by ships or cargo containers.
However, he does not agree with the view that global warming is the direct cause: “This species is quite resilient to cold climates. It can survive even in long and harsh winters,” says Alfredsson. Still, the lengthening summer seasons and milder winters are facilitating the spread of mosquitoes to new areas.
NEW OBSERVATIONS TO BE MADE IN SPRING MONTHS
Experts indicate that new observations to be made in the spring months will clarify whether this species has become permanent in Iceland.