For the first time ever, mosquitoes have been found in Iceland, a country long known for being one of the few places in the world without them. The discovery was made in Kjós, a glacial valley located southwest of the capital city, Reykjavik.
The surprising find was made by Mr. Hjaltason, who shared photos of the insects on a local wildlife Facebook page. He described them as “a strange fly on a red wine ribbon,” and said he immediately knew they were unlike anything he had seen before. “The last fortress seems to have fallen,” he wrote, referring to Iceland’s long-standing freedom from mosquitoes.
To confirm what he had found, Mr. Hjaltason sent the insects to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. There, entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson examined them and confirmed that they were indeed mosquitoes.
According to Alfreðsson, this mosquito species is common across Europe and North Africa, but it’s still unclear how they arrived in Iceland. Scientists believe the insects might have traveled accidentally through imported goods or changes in weather patterns may have helped them survive.
The discovery has sparked concern among residents, as mosquitoes were one of the few pests Iceland had never dealt with. Experts are now studying whether the insects can survive the country’s cold winters or if this is just a one-time appearance.
For now, Icelanders are keeping a close eye on the situation hoping the island remains as mosquito-free as possible.