Mosquitoes have been found in Iceland for the first time as global warming makes the country more hospitable to insects.
Until this month, the country was one of the few places in the world without a mosquito population. Another thing is Antarctica.
Scientists have long predicted that mosquitoes could establish themselves in Iceland due to its abundance of breeding sites such as swamps and ponds. However, many species will not be able to survive in harsh climates.
But it's getting warmer in Iceland four times the speed the rest of the northern hemisphere. Glaciers are collapsing, and fish from warmer southern countries, such as mackerel, are being found in the country's waters.
As the planet warms, more species of mosquitoes are being discovered around the world. Eggs of an Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) were found in the UK this year, and eggs of an Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) were found in Kent this year. They are invasive species that can spread tropical diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus.
Mattias Alfredsson, an entomologist at the Icelandic Institute of Natural Sciences, confirmed the results. He identified the insects himself after a citizen scientist sent them to him.
He said: “Three specimens of Culiseta annulata were found in Kidafell, Kjos, two females and one male. All were collected from wine ropes during wine ropes aimed at attracting moths.”
This species is frost-resistant and can survive in Icelandic conditions, sheltering in basements and sheds for the winter.
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Bjorn Hjaltason found mosquitoes and wrote about it in a Facebook group. Insects in Iceland. “At dusk on October 16, I noticed a strange fly on a red wine ribbon,” Björn said, referring to the trap he uses to attract insects. “I immediately suspected what was going on and quickly grabbed the fly. It was a female.”
He caught two more and sent them to a scientific institute, where they were identified.
