Mosquitoes Discovered in Iceland for the First Time Amid Warming Climate!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

For the first time in recorded history, mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland — a country long believed to be free of them. Scientists say the finding is likely linked to climate change making the island more hospitable to insects. [1]

What We Know:

• Entomologists at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland confirmed that three specimens of the cold‑tolerant mosquito species Culiseta annulata (one male, two females) were found in the Kjós region, north of Reykjavík. [2]
• The insects were trapped on October 16 using ropes soaked in red wine and hung outside to attract moths; one observer recognised the unusual specimen and alerted scientists. [1]
• While previously mosquitoes might have arrived temporarily via imported cargo or aircraft, this is the first documented finding from the wild in Iceland. [3]
• Iceland is warming at about four times the rate of the rest of the northern hemisphere, bringing thinner winters and changing environmental conditions. [1]

Why It Matters:

• The presence of mosquitoes signals a shift in the ecosystem of a region long considered inhospitable to such pests — a clear indicator of how climate change expands insect‑habitable zones.
• Although Culiseta annulata is not known to be a major vector for diseases in Iceland, the arrival of any mosquito population raises questions about future risk‑profiles, especially if warmer conditions persist. [2]
• With Iceland no longer wholly mosquito‑free, only the Antarctica remains among large land masses untouched by mosquitoes. [4]

What to Watch:

• Whether these mosquitoes will establish a permanent breeding population or die off during the next harsh winter.
• Monitoring for arrival of more disease‑carrying mosquito species that could exploit the warming climate and new habitats.
• Impacts on public health, ecosystem balance (including bird/insect populations), and possible mitigation strategies in Iceland and similar high‑latitude areas.

Sources:

1. The Guardian – “Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time as climate crisis warms country.” [1]
2. The Economic Times – “Mosquitoes found in Iceland for the first time in history.” [4]
3. The Washington Post – “Iceland spots its first mosquitoes amid concerns over warming climate.”
4. Additional background: Live Science – “Are there any countries with no mosquitoes?” [5]

Citations:

1. The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/21/mosquitoes-found-iceland-first-time-climate-crisis-warms-country?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. The Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/10/23/iceland-mosquitoes-climate-change/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Anadolu Ajansı: www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/mosquitoes-discovered-in-iceland-for-first-time/3722087?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. The Economic Times: m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/mosquitoes-found-in-iceland-for-the-first-time-in-history-now-only-one-place-on-earth-remains-mosquito-free/articleshow/124741871.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. Live Science: www.livescience.com/animals/mosquitos/are-there-any-countries-with-no-mosquitoes?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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