Iceland's Unexpected Visitors: Mosquitoes Arrive for the First Time

Iceland, known for its icy landscapes and volcanic activity, has recently seen something unusual: mosquitoes. These tiny insects, which are rare in Iceland, were found near the capital, Reykjavik. An expert in insects, Matthías Alfreðsson, confirmed that three mosquitoes were collected. They were found in a backyard, attracted to a sweet trap meant for moths. A local resident, Björn Hjaltason, noticed the mosquitoes over several days. He caught them and sent them to Alfreðsson for identification. Hjaltason thought that if three mosquitoes were in his garden, there might be more. This discovery is significant because Iceland, along with Antarctica, has been one of the few places without mosquitoes. The mosquitoes found in Iceland are a species that can handle cold weather. This means they can survive harsh winters. The expert believes they might have arrived via ships or containers. More monitoring is needed to see if they will spread further. Iceland has been working hard to fight climate change. They have built facilities to capture carbon from the air. However, the expert does not think that climate change is the reason for the mosquitoes' arrival. The species is already adapted to cold climates. Their ability to breed in different places helps them survive in Iceland's tough environment. This discovery raises questions about how these mosquitoes arrived and what it means for Iceland's ecosystem. It also highlights the importance of monitoring and understanding the impact of new species in different environments.