Bug experts are not happy. Nor are the people of Iceland, I am sure. Until now, they have been free from one of the world's greatest nuisances - mosquitoes. However, recently, scientist Björn Hjaltason found three of them there. This is the first time mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland. Now, experts are concerned. Is this a fluke, or is this only the beginning?
Mosquitoes Discovered In Iceland: The How And The Why
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Until recently, this country has managed to remain mosquito-free, so what changed? The NY Post shares Hjaltason's thoughts on the matter. The scientist hypothesizes that the insects came from "Grundartangi, an industrial hub where 'things often arrive with ships and containers.'" While the climate used to be unfavorable for these pesky insects, warming temperatures may change that. The Guardian reported that "Iceland is warming, at four times the rate of the rest of the northern hemisphere."
Add that with their plethora of marshes and ponds, and you have the perfect breeding ground for future mosquito populations. Hjaltason discovered the irritating bloodsuckers on a trap that he used to catch moths. The Iceland Review shared the following from the scientist.
"At dusk on October 16, I caught sight of 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 collected the fly. It was a female."
After the initial discovery, the scientists captured two more specimens. Afterward, he sent the insects to Matthías Alfreðsson, an entomologist at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland. It was this bug expert who confirmed that the insects were, in fact, mosquitoes. Not only that, but he confirmed they were "mosquitoes of the species Culiseta annulata."
An Overreaction Or Bad News For Iceland?
Naturally, people would feel upset after mosquitoes were found in Iceland for the first time. I would be upset to. Mosquitoes are not something fun to have around. However, Hjaltason did admit that he may have had a bit of an overreaction to the whole ordeal. Despite the rising possibilities that Iceland could be a beneficial habitat for the insects, there is no current evidence that they have established a population there.
Furthermore, even if they did manage to establish a population, they would have to survive the winter, which is unlikely. Nevertheless, the NY Post claims that "climate change has facilitated the global spread of invasive mosquitoes, which can spread dengue, Zika virus, and other deadly tropical diseases." So while there is no need to panic yet, I do understand the concern.
