Scientists confirm the first discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland, ending its status as one of the world’s last mosquito-free regions amid global climate shifts.
Iceland has recorded its first-ever discovery of mosquitoes, ending its reputation as one of the few remaining places on Earth without the blood-sucking insects.
Researchers at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland confirmed that three specimens of Culiseta annulata—two females and one male—were recently captured about 30 kilometers north of Reykjavik. The finding was announced on Thursday, October 16, 2025, by entomologist Matthias Alfredsson, who led the research.
“They were all collected from wine ropes aimed at attracting moths,” Alfredsson said, describing a field technique that uses heated, sugar-infused wine to lure flying insects. “This is the first record of mosquitoes occurring in the natural environment in Iceland.”
Until now, Iceland and Antarctica were among the few regions believed to be completely free of mosquitoes. The discovery has sparked scientific curiosity and concern over whether the insects could adapt to Iceland’s subarctic climate and potentially establish permanent populations.
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Alfredsson noted that a previous isolated case occurred years ago when a single Aedes nigripes mosquito was found aboard an airplane at Keflavik Airport. That sample, however, was never verified as part of a local population and was later lost.
The newly identified mosquitoes, he explained, may have arrived “via ships or containers,” likely carried inadvertently through global trade or tourism. The entomologist emphasized that further research would be needed to determine whether the insects can survive the country’s notoriously long and harsh winters.
“Further monitoring in the spring will be needed to determine whether they have established a stable population,” he said.
Culiseta annulata, commonly found across northern Europe and parts of Asia, is known for its remarkable tolerance of cold climates. The species can survive freezing temperatures for extended periods and breed in a variety of habitats, from tree holes to artificial containers.
If the mosquitoes manage to persist, the event could have implications for Iceland’s delicate ecosystem and public health monitoring. Scientists say their presence could also signal subtle shifts in climate patterns, with warmer conditions enabling species previously unable to survive in Iceland to gain a foothold.
For now, the discovery represents a milestone in entomological history — and a reminder that even the coldest corners of the planet are not immune to ecological change.
