For the first time on the island, they were found by a resident of Iceland. The insects were sent for examination to the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, where it was officially confirmed that these are mosquitoes of the species Culiseta annulata.

An entomologist stated that insects of this species can survive at low temperatures. Therefore, it is highly likely they will continue to live in Iceland. It was clarified that Culiseta annulata goes into hibernation and settles in farm buildings, caves, or other similar places, surviving the cold.

Iceland, until recently considered, like Antarctica, free of mosquitoes (despite suitable breeding water bodies, harsh winters prevented their survival), is now viewed by scientists as a potential region for their colonization. This likelihood increased after a blood-sucking fly (Hippoboscidae) established itself there in 2015.

The appearance of new species of insects and fish from more southern regions in Iceland is linked to climate change. The island is experiencing warming, with rates four times higher than the average in the northern hemisphere.

Where There Are No Mosquitoes

The only place completely devoid of mosquitoes remains Antarctica, due to its extremely low temperatures, which are unsuitable for insect life. There are also regions where they are very few, for example:

  • Faroe Islands – here there are few mosquitoes due to the cold and windy climate;
  • Hawaii – mosquitoes are present there, but on some islands they are noticeably fewer than on others;
  • Caribbean Islands – for example, on Curaçao and Montserrat, mosquitoes are fewer due to climate characteristics, strong trade winds, and volcanic activity;
  • Middle East – there are few mosquitoes due to the arid climate and low humidity.

Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic, first settled by Norse and Celtic explorers in the 9th and 10th centuries. It is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscape of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and glaciers, which have shaped its unique culture and history. The country is also famous for preserving the Old Norse language and its medieval literary heritage, particularly the Icelandic Sagas.

Antarctica

Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent, a frozen landscape dominated by ice sheets and containing about 90% of the world’s fresh water. While it has no native human population or recorded history of indigenous settlement, its modern history began with early 20th-century exploration, most famously the race to the South Pole. Today, it is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, which preserves the continent for scientific research and peaceful cooperation.

Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are a North Atlantic archipelago and autonomous territory of Denmark, with a history of Norse settlement dating back to the Viking Age. Known for their dramatic green landscapes, steep cliffs, and traditional grass-roofed houses, the islands have a distinct Nordic culture and language. Their modern economy is centered on fishing, and they are a self-governing nation within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a U.S. state comprising a volcanic archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean. It was originally settled by Polynesians and existed as an independent kingdom until its overthrow by American business interests in 1893, leading to its eventual annexation and statehood. The islands are renowned for their unique Polynesian culture, diverse natural landscapes, and strategic military history, including the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean Islands are a diverse archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, originally inhabited by indigenous Taíno, Arawak, and Carib peoples before European colonization began with Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage. This led to centuries of Spanish, British, French, and Dutch rule, which established a plantation economy based on enslaved African labor. Today, the region is known for its vibrant, blended cultures, stunning natural beauty, and a complex history that shapes its many independent nations and territories.

Curaçao

Curaçao is a Caribbean island and constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, known for its vibrant Dutch colonial architecture, particularly in the capital of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Historically, it was a major hub for the Dutch West India Company in the transatlantic slave trade during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, its culture is a unique blend of over 50 nationalities, reflected in its language, Papiamentu, and its diverse traditions.

Montserrat

Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range near Barcelona, Spain, renowned for its unique rock formations and its Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat. The monastery was founded in the 11th century and is famous for housing the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, a significant pilgrimage site since the medieval period. It remains a major cultural and spiritual center for Catalonia.

Middle East

The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, historically known as the “Cradle of Civilization” for the emergence of ancient cultures like Mesopotamia and the world’s first writing systems and cities. It is the birthplace of major world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and has been a strategically vital crossroads of trade and empires for millennia. Its modern history has been profoundly shaped by the discovery of vast petroleum reserves, regional conflicts, and its immense geopolitical significance.