After the species was identified near Iceland’s capital, Antarctica remains the world’s only mosquito-free haven.
Mosquitos have been detected on Icelandic soil for the first time on record.
Up until this month, Iceland was one of the only places on the planet that didn’t have a mosquito population thanks to its inhospitable climate and lack of stagnant water. The only other mosquito-free haven is now Antarctica.
Now, climate change is warming the country at four times the rate of the rest of the northern hemisphere, resulting in unprecedented glacier melt and frequent heatwaves.
In May this year, Iceland recorded its hottest ever day, withtemperatures climbing to a staggering 26.6°C, while regions of the country saw temperatures more than 10°C above average during spring.
It is feared this rapid warmingmay allow the infamous insect to survive in the country and establish itself across the nation’s marshes and ponds.
Mosquitos found in Iceland
Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjatason is believed to have come across three mosquitoes in the glacial valley of Kjós, nearReykjavik, while using wine-soaked ropes that are typically used to observe moths.
On Thursday, 16 October, he shared his discovery on a local Facebook page, describing the first insect he caught as a “strange fly”.
“I could tell right away that this was something I had never seen before,” he wrote.
Hjatason sent the three mosquitoes to the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, where entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson identified them as two females and one male Culiseta annulata.
These types of mosquitoes are more cold-resistant than others and can be found in harsh climates such as Siberia.
Alfreðsso says the species often seek shelter in indoor areas such as barns to withstand harsh winter conditions.
Is climate change attracting mosquitoes?
The entomologist isn’t sure whether climate change can be solely blamed on the arrival of mosquitoes, but warns: “Warming temperatures are likely to enhance the potential for other mosquito species to establish in Iceland, if they arrive.”
It’s also possible the insects could have arrived from other countries via ships or containers.
Several years ago, a mosquito from a different species was discovered on an aeroplane at Keflavík International Airport. However, the insect has never been spotted in the wild until this month.
Further monitoring will now be required to confirm whether the mosquito species has become “truly established” in Iceland.
