The Icelandic Institute of Natural History recently confirmed that mosquitoes have been discovered in western Iceland for the first time. This is also the first confirmed record of mosquitoes in Iceland itself. Earlier this month, Björn Hjaltason posted on the Facebook group "Insects of Iceland" that he noticed a strange flying insect on his wine ribbon trap, Iceland's national broadcaster reported.
"On the evening of October 16, I saw a strange flying insect sitting on a red wine ribbon. I immediately suspected this discovery and quickly collected it. It was a female." Afterwards, Björn captured two more specimens and sent them to the Institute of Natural History. Institute entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson confirmed that the three insects were all mosquitoes, specifically the species Culiseta annulata.
Matthias believes this discovery is of great significance. He said the cold-resistant mosquitoes were able to adapt to Iceland's environment by overwintering in places such as basements and barns. "This is the first time mosquitoes have been found in Iceland." Matthías added that although individual flying insects have arrived in Iceland with aircraft, mosquitoes have never been found in the wild before.
Scientists predicted the possibility of mosquitoes establishing a local population after seeing the tick fly (Hippoboscidae) colonizing Iceland as early as 2015.