The arrival of mosquitoes in Iceland may seem minor, but it marks a historic change for an island that had always been free of these insects.
For much of its history, Iceland stood among the very few places on Earth without mosquitoes. Alongside Antarctica, it was a sanctuary free from their hum and bite. But that status has officially changed. After a record-warm spring, mosquitoes have been observed in Iceland for the first time, according to the Icelandic news outlet Morgunblaðið.
Table of Contents
A Quiet Discovery in a Glacial Valley
The discovery occurred in Kjós, a glacial valley southwest of Reykjavík. The unusual find was made not by a professional scientist, but by Björn Hjaltason, a local nature enthusiast and insect hobbyist. Hjaltason had been observing night-flying insects using ropes soaked in red wine — a common method in Iceland for attracting moths. On the night of October 16, 2025, he noticed a tiny, unfamiliar insect clinging to one of his baited ropes. “I immediately knew it was something I had never seen before,” he recalled. The next evening, he caught a male mosquito, followed by another female on the third night.
All three specimens were sent to entomologist Matthías Alfredsson at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, who confirmed that they were mosquitoes of the species Culiseta annulata, as reported by Morgunblaðið.
What This Means for Iceland
While the sighting of just three mosquitoes may seem minor, it carries broader ecological significance. Iceland’s mosquito-free status was historically maintained by the island’s cold climate, short summers, and the rapid freezing of wetlands, which made it impossible for mosquito larvae to survive. The appearance of Culiseta annulata, a species capable of tolerating colder conditions, suggests that climate conditions are beginning to shift in a way that could allow these insects to survive and reproduce on Icelandic soil.
The change is not only a minor nuisance for locals and tourists but also a signal of broader environmental trends. Mosquitoes are among the first insects to expand their ranges as temperatures rise, making their arrival a tangible sign of climate change even in remote northern locations.
A Species That Can Survive Icelandic Winters
Culiseta annulata is adapted to survive harsh northern winters, making it one of the few mosquitoes that could establish a permanent population in Iceland. Unlike tropical mosquito species, it is not known for spreading diseases such as malaria or Zika. Still, its arrival raises questions about how the island’s ecosystem — historically free of mosquitoes — might adjust to a new insect presence.
Entomologists emphasize that the first observation of a species does not guarantee a population explosion.
A Warning Sign of Climate Shifts
This discovery comes in the wake of a record-hot spring in Iceland, part of a longer-term trend of rising temperatures across the North Atlantic. Data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicate that average temperatures have been increasing over the past decades, with unusual warmth observed particularly in the spring and summer months. These conditions reduce winter mortality for cold-tolerant species like Culiseta annulata and lengthen the breeding season.
Iceland’s remote location historically insulated it from insect migration, although occasional visitors, such as the Red Admiral butterfly, sometimes reach the island from the British Isles or continental Europe. Today, with warmer weather and increased human activity, including shipping and tourism, even isolated regions face a greater risk of new species introductions.
The Human Side of Mosquitoes in Iceland
For many Icelanders, the notion of a mosquito-free country was a point of pride. Travelers often commented on the absence of the familiar hum and bites found in almost every other country. Locals joked that mosquitoes were the one pest they didn’t need to worry about. With this new discovery, that unique advantage is under threat.
While the public health risk remains minimal — Culiseta annulata is not a carrier of serious human disease — the insects are likely to become a minor nuisance, especially during the warmer months. Residents and visitors may soon notice bites in wetlands, forested areas, and near lakes, particularly in the southwest where the first specimens were observed.
Lessons for Other Islands
Iceland’s experience provides a warning for other northern and remote islands. Historically, isolation and extreme climates have shielded islands from certain pests and invasive species. As the climate warms, these natural barriers are weakening. Even islands that have long been “safe” may now face ecological changes, from insects to plant pests, which could transform local environments.
For island enthusiasts and environmental observers, the story of Iceland’s first mosquitoes serves as a reminder: islands are dynamic, vulnerable, and interconnected. A small insect can signal larger environmental shifts with implications far beyond the immediate bite.