Iceland has always been one of the only two mosquito-free havens in the world, primarily due to its cold climate. The only other recorded mosquito-free zone is Antarctica. Now, the pests have been found in Iceland for the first time, after the country experienced record-breaking heat. Two female mosquitoes and one male were confirmed to be Culiseta annulata, one of few species that can successfully survive winter. They were found in Kjós, a glacial valley to the southwest of the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. The species are common across parts of Europe and North Africa, but it it isn't clear how they reached Iceland. Typically, Iceland rarely experiences highs of more than 68º F in the summer, but this year the country saw its hottest weather ever, with temperatures reaching 79º F. The shift in temperature could have significant impacts on delicate ecosystems, which have adapted to the cold climate and are sensitive to temperature shifts. Further monitoring will be required in spring to see if the mosquito species has truly become established in Iceland.
