**Iceland Discovers Its First Mosquitoes After Being Mosquito-Free for So Long**
Until recently, Iceland was the only country in the world free of one of the most maddening and dangerous insects: mosquitoes. However, the Nordic island has just confirmed the discovery of mosquitoes in the municipality of Kjós — marking a significant change for the land of fire and ice.
“At dusk on the evening of 16 October, I noticed a strange-looking fly,” said presumed Icelander Björn Hjaltason, as reported by RÚV English. “I immediately had a suspicion about what it might be and quickly collected the fly. It was a female.”
Between October 16 and 18, Hjaltason found three specimens and reported the grim discovery in the Facebook group *Skordýr á Íslandi*, meaning “insects in Iceland.” Following his report, the Icelandic Institute of Natural History acknowledged that the bugs were the first confirmed national occurrence of *Culiseta annulata* mosquitoes — two females and one male.
Known as banded mosquitoes, *Culiseta annulata* is one of the largest mosquito species. This insect is widespread across other Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, and Europe, according to the Institute’s statement. Unfortunately for Iceland, these mosquitoes can endure cold temperatures and are likely to survive local environmental conditions.
Matthías Alfreðsson, an entomologist at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History who confirmed the discovery, explained to RÚV English that while mosquitoes had previously hitchhiked to Iceland on planes, Hjaltason’s find marks the first identification of these insects on Icelandic soil.
He added that banded mosquitoes usually shelter in places such as cellars and livestock houses during winter. This suggests they are likely here to stay.
“The discovery of the mosquito adds to the growing number of new insect species that have been identified in this country in recent years, partly due to a warming climate and increased transportation,” the Institute concluded in their statement.
On a positive note, since banded mosquitoes are not vectors for known infections in the region, their bites are not considered dangerous to humans — at least there is some relief amidst the news.
*Related: [Mosquitoes can barely see — but a male’s vision perks up when they hear a female](#)*
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https://www.popsci.com/environment/iceland-mosquitoes/
