Iceland lost its long-standing status as a mosquito-free destination in October 2025 after three insects were found in a garden in Kjós near Reykjavík. Local resident Björn Hjaltason collected the specimens using a backyard trap and submitted them to the Natural Science Institute of Iceland. Entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson confirmed they belonged to the species Culiseta annulata, a cold-tolerant mosquito common in northern Europe. The institute has not yet determined whether a breeding population has become established. The discovery occurred during Iceland’s warmest year on record, with a national average temperature of 5.2°C. Scientists note the species can survive winter in sheltered structures but poses no known disease risk to humans. Travelers are advised that the insects differ from tropical vectors linked to malaria or dengue. The main implications appear ecological rather than related to public health or tourism safety.
