Overview
- Three mosquitoes—two females and one male—were collected in mid‑October in Kjós by amateur naturalist Björn Hjaltason and submitted to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History.
- Entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson confirmed the insects as Culiseta annulata and said this is the first verified finding of mosquitoes living in Iceland, distinct from past detections inside aircraft.
- Culiseta annulata is a cold‑tolerant Palearctic species that can use artificial containers for breeding, increasing the chance of colonization in new areas.
- Researchers have not determined whether the insects are established in Iceland, with monitoring in spring expected to assess overwintering and reproduction.
- Recent record warmth has likely increased climatic suitability for mosquitoes, and the origin of these specimens remains unknown, with a shipping route via nearby Grundartangi noted as an unconfirmed possibility.