In a discovery that has startled scientists and residents alike, mosquitoes have been found in Iceland for the very first time. The event marks a historic environmental shift in one of the few places on Earth previously untouched by these insects. Iceland, known for its pristine landscapes and harsh, mosquito-free climate, has long stood beside Antarctica as one of the last mosquito-free zones. That changed in mid-October 2025, when three adult mosquitoes, two females and one male, were discovered in the rural valley of Kjósarhreppur, around 30 kilometers north of Reykjavík. The insects, identified as belonging to the cold-tolerant species Culiseta annulata, were captured during a moth-attracting experiment using red wine-soaked ropes.
For centuries, Iceland’s unique climate and geology kept mosquitoes at bay. The nation’s cold, windy conditions, combined with frequent freeze-thaw cycles during spring and autumn, disrupted the life cycle of any mosquitoes that arrived by accident. Even when mosquito larvae were introduced through imported water or aircraft, they rarely survived the seasonal temperature swings. The volcanic nature of Iceland’s soils, which often makes freshwater ponds chemically unsuitable for mosquito breeding, also helped maintain its insect-free reputation. However, scientists have long warned that this balance could shift with global warming, and now it seems those warnings have come true.
The arrival of Culiseta annulata may be the first clear sign of this ecological change. This particular mosquito species is found across northern Europe and is known for its resilience in cooler climates. Although there have been isolated reports of individual mosquitoes arriving in Iceland in previous decades, none had ever established a foothold. Experts believe the recent warming of Iceland’s climate, coupled with increased global transport of goods and insects, has created the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to finally survive at least temporarily.
Iceland’s climate has warmed significantly in recent years. In May 2025, the country recorded an unprecedented temperature of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F), its highest on record. Across the Arctic and sub-Arctic, temperatures are rising at a rate nearly four times faster than the global average. These warmer conditions extend the summer season, create more stagnant pools of water, and make survival easier for insects that once could not endure Iceland’s cold nights. Climate experts warn that such environmental changes are not just statistical curiosities; they are actively reshaping ecosystems.
Reactions within Iceland have been a mix of fascination and unease. Local insect enthusiast Björn Hjaltason, who first reported the discovery after noticing an unfamiliar insect in his trap, shared his surprise on social media, writing that he instantly “felt something was different.” Scientists have confirmed his findings and are now closely monitoring the situation. While the presence of just three mosquitoes does not yet signal a permanent population, entomologists say the discovery is a “canary in the coal mine” moment for the country’s biodiversity. The key question now is whether these mosquitoes can survive the harsh Icelandic winter and, if so, whether they can reproduce.
Health officials have reassured the public that there is currently no risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission. Iceland’s low temperatures and absence of tropical mosquito species make diseases such as malaria or dengue highly unlikely. However, researchers caution that continued climate change could lengthen mosquito-active seasons and increase the likelihood of disease vectors arriving in the future. Even small ecological changes in Iceland are watched closely because they serve as indicators of broader global warming impacts.
Scientists are now investigating how the mosquitoes reached Iceland. Some suggest they may have arrived via cargo ships, planes, or imported goods. Others believe that favorable summer weather conditions and milder winters are allowing previously transient insects to establish themselves more easily. Whatever the case, the finding underscores how rapidly climate patterns can alter ecological boundaries that once seemed permanent.
Iceland’s famed reputation as a “mosquito-free paradise” may not yet be entirely lost, but the recent discovery is a sobering reminder that no place on Earth is completely insulated from global climate shifts. Researchers plan to conduct winter survival studies and expand insect monitoring programs to determine whether the population persists. The appearance of mosquitoes in Iceland may seem minor, but it represents a powerful symbol of how even the most isolated environments are being reshaped by a warming planet.
