Mosquitoes in Iceland: A Climate Change Indicator

In a surprising turn of events, mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland for the first time. This discovery comes after the country experienced record-breaking heat this spring. Bjorn Hjaltason, an insect enthusiast, encountered the mosquitoes while observing moths using wine-soaked ropes.

Iceland was previously one of only two mosquito-free places in the world, alongside Antarctica. The cold climate and lack of stagnant water for breeding were key factors in keeping mosquitoes away. However, this year, Iceland broke multiple temperature records, with May seeing unprecedented heat waves.

The mosquitoes found were identified as Culiseta annulata, a species known to survive winter. While it's unclear how they reached Iceland, experts suggest that the changing climate might be a contributing factor. This discovery raises questions about the potential impacts of global warming on delicate ecosystems in cold regions.