For the first time in recorded history, mosquitoes have been found in Iceland, a milestone that leaves only Antarctica as the world’s last mosquito-free continent. The discovery shines a stark light on how a warming planet is reshaping even the most unlikely ecosystems.
In mid-October 2025, amateur naturalist Björn Hjaltason noticed a strange insect trapped on a red-wine-soaked ribbon used to attract moths in his garden in Kiðafell, Kjós — about 30 km north of the capital Reykjavík. He collected the specimen, followed by two more, and sent them to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for identification. The result: three mosquitoes (two female, one male) of the cold-tolerant species Culiseta annulata.
Until now, Iceland had been considered virtually free of mosquitoes in the wild — thanks to its cold climate, scarcity of standing warm water, and harsh winters. The only other large region thought to lack mosquitoes was Antarctica. But climate change appears to be changing that. Iceland is warming at roughly four times the rate of the Northern Hemisphere average.
How did the mosquitoes get there? Scientists say they don’t yet know for sure. Shipping containers or cargo arriving via industrial zones such as Grundartangi are possible routes. What is clear, however, is that the discovery may point to a deeper shift. The species found — Culiseta annulata — is already known to survive cold temperatures, hibernating as adults in sheltered places like barns or basements.
Though this species is not known to transmit major human diseases, the concern lies in the potential for other more dangerous mosquito species to establish themselves — especially as global warming makes higher-latitude regions more hospitable. In recent years, invasive mosquitoes that can carry dengue, Zika or chikungunya have been found further north in Europe and beyond.
This event matters for several reasons:
1. Environmental change in action. Iceland lacked a native mosquito population despite abundant marshes and ponds because of its cold climate. That it’s now hosting one of the world’s most common mosquito species suggests its climate is shifting.
2. Ecosystem vulnerability. Mosquitoes may affect local wildlife – birds, insects and other animals may face new pressures from biting insects, parasites or the pathogens they carry.
3. Health-security implications. While Culiseta annulata itself is not a major disease vector, the arrival of any mosquito species raises the possibility that other, more harmful species might follow, especially if climate conditions continue to change.
4. Symbolic milestone. With Iceland no longer mosquito-free, Antarctica remains the only continent without wild mosquitoes — underscoring the breadth of climate-driven ecological shifts.
Scientists emphasise that seeing three mosquitoes does not automatically mean they have become a stable population. Monitoring through spring will be needed to determine if they survive and establish breeding cycles in Iceland’s environment.
Still, the discovery offers a cautionary tale. The conditions that kept mosquitoes out of Iceland — cold winters, limited stagnant warm water — are now under threat. As temperatures rise and summers stretch, regions once too chilly for mosquitoes may no longer be protected by cold alone.
For the residents of Iceland and observers of global climate dynamics alike, this is a moment of clarity. What was once unthinkable — mosquitoes in Iceland — now becomes a reality. It’s a reminder that climate change is not just about sea-levels or extreme weather, but also about the shifting baseline of the living world around us.
Source:
“The Guardian — Mosquitoes found in Iceland for first time as climate crisis warms country.”
“The Independent — Mosquitoes found in Iceland for the first time.”
“Indian Express — Mosquitoes spotted in Iceland for the first time.”