Iceland Sees First Mosquitoes as Culiseta annulata Found in Kjós Valley

In News: Mosquitoes Discovered in Iceland, Ending Its Status as One of the Last Mosquito-Free Havens

Analysis:

1. Context:
   • Mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland, previously one of the only two mosquito-free regions on Earth, along with Antarctica.
   • The discovery was made in Kjós, a glacial valley southwest of Reykjavik, by local insect enthusiast Hjaltason.
2. Species Identified:
   • The mosquitoes were identified by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History as Culiseta annulata, a species capable of surviving winter.
   • This species is common in parts of Europe and North Africa.
3. Possible Causes:
   • Iceland has experienced record-breaking high temperatures and prolonged heatwaves in 2025.
   • Climate change and warming trends may have facilitated mosquito survival and breeding in previously inhospitable environments.
4. Significance:
   • The presence of mosquitoes in Iceland represents a notable ecological shift in a region long considered too cold for mosquito habitation.
   • It may have implications for public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem dynamics, as mosquitoes can act as disease vectors and influence local food chains.
5. Uncertainties:
   • How the mosquitoes arrived in Iceland remains unclear.
   • Ongoing monitoring will be necessary to understand whether a sustainable population is establishing on the island.

Static Information:

• Culiseta annulata: A mosquito species adapted to colder climates, capable of overwintering.
• Iceland Climate: Traditionally cold with limited stagnant water, preventing mosquito breeding; recent years have seen record high temperatures, e.g., 26.6°C at Eglisstaðir Airport in May 2025.
• Previous Mosquito-Free Status: Along with Antarctica, Iceland had historically been free from mosquitoes.
  
  Updated -  22 Oct 2025, 4:42 pm | Down to Earth