Mosquitoes Found in Iceland for the First Time in Recorded History

Scientists have made a significant discovery in Iceland, where three specimens of the cold-tolerant species Culiseta annulata were found in October 2025 in a rural valley near Hvalfjordur. This marks the first confirmed instance of mosquitoes living outdoors on Icelandic soil, and experts believe it is linked to climate change and the northward expansion of cold-adapted insect species. The discovery has been reported by insect enthusiast Björn Hjaltason, who collected the specimens, which were later confirmed by entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History.

Key Takeaways:

• The first confirmed instance of mosquitoes living outdoors on Icelandic soil was found in October 2025 in Kjos, a rural valley near Hvalfjordur.
• The species identified as Culiseta annulata is cold-tolerant and able to survive in temperatures that would normally be inhospitable to mosquitoes.
• Mosquitoes have previously reached Iceland as stowaways on planes but never established themselves in the wild until now.
• Scientists have long warned that rising temperatures could allow mosquitoes and other insects to expand their habitats further north.
• The discovery reinforces the understanding that climate change is reshaping ecosystems, enabling species to survive in colder climates.
• This is the first time mosquitoes have been found in Iceland, but not the first time insects have successfully established themselves there; biting midges established themselves in 2015.
• The presence of mosquitoes in Iceland has implications for public health, as mosquitoes can be vectors for diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
• There is only one remaining mosquito-free continent: Antarctica, due to its extreme cold, lack of liquid water, and absence of standing pools.

Statistics:

• Three specimens of Culiseta annulata were found in October 2025 in Kjos, Iceland.
• This is the first confirmed instance of mosquitoes living outdoors on Icelandic soil.
• Mosquitoes have previously reached Iceland as stowaways on planes, but none had ever been found living in the wild until now.
• Scientists have predicted that rising temperatures could allow mosquitoes and other insects to expand their habitats further north.
• Biting midges successfully established themselves in Iceland in 2015.
• Antarctica is the only remaining mosquito-free continent.
• Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid regions with stagnant water, which is common in tropical rainforests and monsoon-prone areas.

Sources:

• Björn Hjaltason's report on the Facebook group Skordýr á Aslandi ("Insects in Iceland")
• The Icelandic Institute of Natural History
• Matthías Alfreðsson, entomologist at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History