Mosquitoes recorded for the first time in Iceland

Iceland has recorded the first recorded appearance of mosquitoes, which was a surprise, since these insects had not previously inhabited the island. This was reported by the RÚV television and radio company.

Entomologist Björn Hjaltason discovered one of the mosquitoes on the evening of October 16 and took it for further study. In total, three individuals were found, belonging to the species Culiseta annulata, known for its ability to withstand cold.

Professor Gisli Mar Gislason from the University of Iceland noted that the mosquitoes found are significant. They are common in Europe and feed on the blood of people, animals, and birds.

According to scientists, mosquitoes can survive the winter in basements. A stable population of these insects may already have formed in Iceland, where they become more active in the spring.

According to Icelandic news portal Morgunblaðið, all three insects were sent for analysis to entomologist Matthias Alfredsson of the Institute of Natural History. He confirmed that the mosquitoes are Culiseta annulata, one of the few species that can survive the winter.

“I immediately realized that this was a completely new experience for me,” he told local media.

Previously, it was believed that mosquitoes existed in every corner of the world, but Iceland was the only country without them. This was a strange fact, since neighboring Norway, Scotland, and even Greenland are infested with mosquitoes.