Iceland, which until now was considered one of the few mosquito-free countries in the world, has recorded its first sightings of mosquitoes amid global warming.
This was reported by The Guardian.
Three specimens of the Culiseta annulata mosquito species were found in Kidafell. This species is known for its ability to survive in cold climates, in particular by hibernating in basements and barns.
The incident occurred during wine snagging, an event aimed at attracting moths. It was then that local resident Björn Hjaltson noticed a “strange fly” on a ribbon of red wine and suspected it might be a mosquito. He eventually caught three specimens — two females and one male — and handed them over to the Icelandic Institute of Natural Sciences.
Entomologist Matias Alfredsson confirmed that they were indeed Culiseta annulata mosquitoes.
Experts have long warned that rising temperatures could make Iceland suitable for mosquitoes, as the country has many swamps and ponds — ideal breeding grounds for them.
Iceland is warming four times faster than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. The melting of glaciers and the appearance of fish from warmer regions, such as mackerel, in its waters indicate significant changes in the ecosystem.
Similar cases have been observed in other countries: this year, eggs of the Egyptian mosquito were found in the UK for the first time, and in Kent, the Asian tiger mosquito, which can carry dangerous tropical diseases, was found.