Iceland reports the presence of mosquitoes for the first time, as climate warms

"Icelanders may be the last group of people on Earth to experience the pesky bite of a mosquito. This week, Iceland recorded the presence of the insects within its borders for the first time in the Nordic nation's history. The discovery of three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes was confirmed Monday by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, which said the mosquitoes likely arrived by freight and appeared to be able to withstand Iceland's climate."

"Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason said he found the mosquitoes on a farm in Kjos, just north of Reykjavik, earlier this month. "At dusk on the evening of October 16th, I caught sight of a strange fly on a red wine ribbon," Hjaltason told Icelandic broadcaster RUV. "I immediately suspected what was going on and quickly collected the fly. It was a female." Hjaltason later trapped two more. All three insects were turned over to authorities for testing, which revealed that they were two female and one male mosquitoes."

"Antarctica is now the only place in the world believed to have no mosquitoes. Climate change is causing temperatures to rise across the world, and the Arctic region is warming at more than double the rate of the global average. According to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, the species Culiseta annulata are large mosquitoes present in Europe and other Nordic countries that can live in cold weather, usually finding shelter in outbuildings and basements."

Three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were detected in Iceland for the first time, with the discovery confirmed by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. The insects likely arrived via freight and appear capable of withstanding Iceland's climate. The finds occurred on a farm in Kjos north of Reykjavik, where an enthusiast captured one female at dusk on October 16 and later trapped two more; testing identified two females and one male. The species is large, present across Europe and other Nordic countries, can live in cold weather, and typically shelters in outbuildings and basements. The mosquitoes sting but are not known to carry infections in those areas.

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