For the first time in history, mosquitoes were identified in Iceland, a country that until now was one of the few places on the planet without the presence of these insects, alongside Antarctica.
The discovery was made by Björn Hjaltason, who shared the information in a Facebook group dedicated to insects in Iceland. He reported seeing the first mosquito at dusk on October 16, quickly capturing it to send to the scientific institute for identification.
Three specimens of the species Slide canceled were found in Kiðafell, Kjós, as confirmed by entomologist Matthías Alfreðsson from the Icelandic Institute of Natural Sciences. Two females and one male were captured in traps designed to attract moths, using wine ribbons as bait.
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A Slide canceled It is a cold-resistant species, capable of surviving the harsh Icelandic winter by sheltering in cellars and barns.
According to scientists interviewed by the newspaper The Guardianthe discovery reinforces the effects of global warming, which has made the local environment more favorable for the survival of species previously absent in the region.
The presence of these mosquitoes indicates that the country is warming at a rate four times greater than the average for the northern hemisphere, a phenomenon that has caused the melting of glaciers and the arrival of fish typical of warmer waters, such as mackerel.
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Experts warn that, with the advancement of global warming, other invasive species of mosquitoes, such as the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictusalready detected in countries such as the United Kingdom, may establish themselves in new regions, increasing the risk of transmission of tropical diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and zika.
