This Was the One Place on Earth Without Mosquitoes Until Now
For years, Iceland held a unique bragging right. While the rest of the planet dealt with buzzing, biting mosquitoes, Iceland remained blissfully free of them. Scientists often wondered how its wetlands and mild summers never gave the pests a foothold. That changed in October 2025, when researchers confirmed the first wild mosquitoes in the country, marking the end of an era and the reach of a changing climate.
A Citizen Scientist Makes the Discovery
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The discovery came courtesy of Björn Hjaltason, an insect enthusiast who spotted a strange fly while checking a red wine ribbon trap in Kiðafell, Kjós. He posted about it in the Facebook group “Insects in Iceland,” explaining that he immediately suspected he had found something unusual. A little later, entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland confirmed the find. Three specimens of Culiseta annulata were collected, including two females and one male.
The insects were caught during a wine roping session, a method commonly used to attract moths. Alfreðsson explained that Culiseta annulata is a cold-tolerant species that can survive Icelandic winters by sheltering in barns, basements, or other protected spots. This species is found in Northern Africa, Europe, parts of Asia, Canada, and northern portions of the United States. Its arrival in Iceland marks a historic first for the country.
Climate Change Makes Its Mark
Scientists have predicted for years that mosquitoes could eventually reach Iceland. The country has numerous potential breeding habitats, including marshes and ponds; however, historically, the harsh climate has prevented mosquitoes from thriving. The Arctic region is warming at roughly four times the rate of the rest of the world, and Iceland has experienced record-breaking temperatures this year. In May, the country reached a temperature of 26.6 degrees Celsius (almost 80 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest temperature ever recorded there. Glaciers are melting, and fish from warmer southern waters, like mackerel, are turning up in Icelandic seas.
Global warming is also affecting mosquito populations worldwide. In the UK, eggs of the Egyptian mosquito were discovered this year, and Asian tiger mosquitoes have appeared in Kent. Both of these invasive species can carry diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and the Zika virus. While Culiseta annulata isn’t known for spreading these illnesses, the arrival of mosquitoes in Iceland is a sign that warming temperatures are reshaping ecosystems in the North.
The Land of Fire and Ice Onwards
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Even with mosquitoes now in the wild, Iceland is not about to be overrun. The country’s seasonal temperature swings and lack of ideal breeding conditions mean many mosquito species would still struggle to survive. Still, the arrival of Culiseta annulata could change daily life for residents in some areas, particularly near ponds or marshes where the insects might find temporary shelter.
Björn’s careful observation and willingness to reach out to a professional helped confirm what could have gone unnoticed. And while Iceland’s status as one of the last true mosquito-free places on Earth is no longer intact as of now, scientists will continue to monitor whether these mosquitoes establish a permanent population in Iceland.