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 few species that can 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 south-west of Reykjavik. Mr. Hjaltason shared his discovery on social media, describing a strange fly on a red wine ribbon and noting that the last fortress seems to have fallen..
After sending the insects to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for identification, entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson confirmed their species. He mentioned the unclarity surrounding how they reached Iceland, highlighting that the cold climate and absence of stagnant water typically hindered mosquito breeding.
This year, however, Iceland broke multiple temperature records with heat waves exceeding 20C (68F) lasting for 10 consecutive days, culminating in its hottest ever day of 26.6C (79.8F).
A recent study warned that such climatic changes could significantly impact delicate ecosystems that have adapted to colder environments.
Further monitoring in spring is needed to determine if the mosquito species has established a permanent presence in Iceland. Hjaltason speculated that the mosquitoes might have arrived via shipping containers at nearby ports, leading to concerns about their broader implications for Icelandic biodiversity.
