Iceland was long known as the only mosquito-free country in the world. That changed in October 2025, when three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes were discovered in Kjós, southwest of Reykjavík.
The insects were found by insect enthusiast Björn Hjaltason. On October 16, 2025, he noticed an unusual insect on a strip of fabric he had soaked in red wine and hung in his garden. The strips, sometimes called wine ropes, were being used to attract moths and other insects. Hjaltason suspected the insect was a mosquito, collected it, and sent it for identification.
Scientists at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History confirmed his suspicion. Hjaltason subsequently found two more, bringing the initial discovery to three mosquitoes. They were identified as Culiseta annulata, a species known for tolerating cold conditions.
Scientists have not established exactly how the mosquitoes arrived. However, international freight is considered a likely route. Hjaltason noted that the garden where he found the insects was only about six kilometres from Grundartangi, a major industrial and shipping port.
The suggestion is that the mosquitoes could have arrived as accidental passengers in cargo, shipping containers, or other freight rather than flying across the North Atlantic. That explanation has not been conclusively proven.
The possibility of mosquitoes travelling through international transport is not merely theoretical. This week, two workers at Frankfurt Airport in Germany died after contracting malaria, while six airport employees in total were infected. German health authorities believe the infections were linked to infected Anopheles mosquitoes that may have arrived aboard an aircraft from a malaria-risk area. Mosquito traps have been installed at the airport as authorities investigate.
Iceland has plenty of ponds, marshes, and other potential mosquito breeding grounds. But its extremely cold climate has historically made it impossible for mosquitoes to live there. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and depend heavily on temperature for their development. Iceland's repeated cycles of freezing and thawing can disrupt their life cycle, making it difficult for eggs and larvae to survive.
Culiseta annulata is unusually cold-tolerant. Adults can survive winter by sheltering in places such as buildings, cellars, and livestock houses.
Scientists have also raised concerns about the effect of rising temperatures. Warmer conditions can extend the period in which mosquitoes are able to feed, reproduce, and complete their life cycle.
According to the United Nations, authorities began efforts to eradicate that population. Meanwhile, no new Culiseta annulata specimens had been found in Iceland in 2026 as of the latest update. That means scientists are still watching to determine whether mosquitoes can establish a permanent population.
As of 2026, mosquitoes are found on six continents. Antarctica remains the only continent without them. Iceland used to be the notable mosquito-free country, but that distinction ended in 2025.
Source: Pulse.ng
