In the Kjos Valley, about 20 kilometers north of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, an insect enthusiast accidentally discovered a “strange flying insect” while using a rope soaked in red wine to trap moths. It was confirmed by the Natural Science Institute of Iceland that the insect was Culiseta annulata, a mosquito species that can survive in cold climates, marking the first time in Icelandic history that mosquitoes have been confirmed in the wild, according to the latest news.
For a long time, Iceland has been regarded as one of the “only mosquito-free countries in the world” due to its cold, dry, and waterless climate. This discovery has shattered this perception, leaving Antarctica as the only completely mosquito-free area on Earth.
Background of the event
Iceland is located at a high latitude in the North Atlantic. With severe winters, short summers, and scarce water accumulation, it creates extremely unfavorable conditions for the breeding of most mosquitoes. Previously, mosquitoes were believed to be unable to settle in the country. The Culiseta annulata discovered this time is a kind of mosquito that can adapt to colder environments. It can enter a long-term dormant state to get through the winter and lay eggs in artificial standing water or containers.
Experts point out that the temperature in Iceland is rising at about four times the average rate in the Northern Hemisphere, and climate change provides new opportunities for mosquitoes to move northward.
Core details
Resident Bjorn Hjaltason discovered this “unusual flying insect” in his own garden in the Kjos area on the evening of October 16th and posted it in the Facebook group “Insects in Iceland”. Then, within two days, two more samples were captured (one male and two females). The sample was sent to the Institute of Natural Sciences and was identified as C. annulata by entomologist Matthias Alfreðsson.
The research institute pointed out that only three individuals have been captured so far, and it is still uncertain whether a stable population has been formed in Iceland. The introduction methods may include cargo ships, containers, or arrival with the vessel.
Significance and impact
This “first discovery of mosquitoes in the wild” event is symbolic, indicating that climate change is reshaping the ecological boundaries of the Earth. The countries on the edge of the Arctic Circle, which were once regarded as “uninhabitable for mosquitoes”, have also begun to face the new reality of mosquito invasion. Experts say this might indicate that mosquito colonization will occur in more high-latitude or extremely cold regions.
From a public health perspective, although C. annulata is not currently known as a major human disease vector, its emergence serves as a reminder to relevant countries that they need to be highly vigilant about the potential risks of parasite and pathogen spread brought by mosquitoes.
Prospects and suggestions
In response to this change, researchers suggest that Iceland should enhance its mosquito monitoring system, paying particular attention to environments such as standing water, abandoned containers, ship berthing areas, and around Wells that may provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes in spring and summer. Meanwhile, the public is also advised to pay attention to measures such as clearing outdoor standing water and setting up mosquito nets indoors to prevent the potential spread of mosquitoes.
Furthermore, this discovery also serves as a reminder to other countries that were once considered “mosquito-free” or had very few mosquitoes: as global warming accelerates, the survival range of mosquitoes is expanding towards the north, higher latitudes, and higher altitudes. Preventing mosquito invasion will become a new ecological and public health challenge.
In conclusion, the discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland this time is not only a new record in biology, but also an ecological signal brought about by climate change: even places once regarded as “mosquito no-go zones” can no longer be completely immune. This reminds us that against the backdrop of global warming, traditional ecological boundaries are constantly being broken.
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