First Mosquitoes Discovered in Iceland Amid Record Heat

Thu Oct 23 2025 03:29:13 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland marks a significant ecological change as record-breaking temperatures hit the area this spring, prompting questions about climate impact on local habitats.

For the first time in history, mosquitoes have been found in Iceland, a country previously acknowledged as one of the few mosquito-free regions in the world. This change follows the nation's record high temperatures, which exceeded typical spring conditions. An entomologist confirmed the presence of Culiseta annulata mosquitoes, leading to discussions about the implications of climate change on local ecosystems. The origin of the mosquitoes remains uncertain, and experts highlight the need for ongoing monitoring.

Mosquitoes have been found in Iceland for the first time after the country experienced record-breaking heat this spring.

Insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason encountered the mosquitoes over several nights last week while using wine-soaked ropes to observe moths, local media reported.

Mr. Hjaltason found two female mosquitoes and one male, which were later confirmed to be Culiseta annulata, one of the few species that can successfully survive winter.

Iceland was one of only two mosquito-free havens in the world prior to the discovery, partly due to its cold climate. The only other recorded mosquito-free zone is Antarctica.

The mosquitoes were found in Kjós, a glacial valley southwest of the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik.

Mr. Hjaltason shared the news of his discovery on a Facebook page for local wildlife alongside pictures of the insects, describing a strange fly on a red wine ribbon, according to Icelandic media.

I could tell right away that this was something I had never seen before, he said in the post, which was screenshotted and shared by Iceland's Morgunblaðið news site, adding, the last fortress seems to have fallen.

Mr. Hjaltason sent the insects to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History to be identified, where entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson confirmed his suspicions.

The species are common across parts of Europe and North Africa but it isn't clear how they reached Iceland, Alfreðsson told CNN.

Iceland's cold climate and lack of stagnant water for breeding are key contributors to the country's former lack of mosquitoes, according to the World Population Review.

This year, the country broke multiple records for high temperatures. Typically, Iceland rarely experiences highs over 20°C (68°F) in May; this year, however, temperatures exceeded this threshold for 10 consecutive days, with the hottest reaching 26.6°C (79.8°F) at Egilsstaðir Airport.

A June study published by the Global Heat Health Information Network noted that such temperature shifts could have significant impacts on ecosystems sensitive to climate changes, adapting to colder climates.

Last year was recorded as the hottest globally, with the UN's climate body confirming that human influence has unequivocally warmed the atmosphere, oceans, and land.

Further monitoring will be required in spring to see if the mosquito species has truly become established in Iceland, Alfreðsson added.

Hjaltason has speculated on the origin of the specimens he observed, suggesting that they may have arrived via shipping containers from nearby Grundartangi, just six kilometers away.