Iceland is the only country on the planet that is completely mosquito-free. (Image: © Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)
Mosquitoes attack people almost everywhere on the planet. But are there regions free of these blood-sucking insects?
Surprisingly, the answer is yes: Iceland remains the only country without mosquito populations. However, neighboring territories – Norway, Scotland and Greenland – have many species of these insects. (Note that Antarctica is also mosquito-free, but this continent is not recognized as a sovereign state.)
What makes Iceland unique in this regard?
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Researchers have several hypotheses. One is that mosquitoes simply haven't reached Iceland's shores. The country's island location, with hundreds of miles of ocean around it, creates a natural barrier to insect migration.
However, air transport has the potential to carry mosquitoes. Gisli Már Gislason, a professor of limnology at the University of Iceland, confirmed this after discovering an insect during a flight from Greenland. He noted in an interview with Reykavík Grapevine (2017) that mosquitoes can survive on board planes for hours, even in sub-zero temperatures.
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Why, despite possible penetration, do mosquitoes not form colonies?
Gislason ruled out a lack of breeding sites: ponds and swamps near airports are ideal for laying eggs. The main reason cited is harsh weather conditions.
The mosquito life cycle includes four phases: egg, larva, pupa, and imago. Adults lay eggs in water, where the larvae and pupae develop before emerging onto land.
Robert Jones, an entomologist at the London School of Hygiene, told Live Science that the larvae need unfrozen water. In Arctic zones, for example, some species survive by hibernating their eggs in frozen water.
“In temperate latitudes, such as Central Europe, mosquitoes overwinter as eggs or larvae in non-freezing bodies of water, or as adults in shelters,” he added.
Although global warming may change the situation, disease-carrying mosquitoes (such as Aedes) are unlikely to thrive in Iceland due to its climate.
Iceland's climate — long winters and frequent temperature fluctuations — means bodies of water freeze repeatedly. “These fluctuations destroy the eggs and larvae before they mature,” Jones explained.
Geothermal springs that do not freeze in winter are either too hot or have an unsuitable chemical composition for larval development.
However, climate change could shake Iceland's status. The scientist noted that the extension of warm seasons could create conditions for sustainable populations.
Immo Hansen, a biology professor at New Mexico, confirmed the trend: “Tropical mosquito species are expanding their ranges into the northern United States due to milder winters.”
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If mosquitoes colonize Iceland, it will be a repeat of the Hawaiian scenario. Until 1826, the archipelago was devoid of mosquitoes, until they were brought by ships. The favorable climate allowed the insects to spread quickly. Today, they penetrate even high mountain areas that were previously unsuitable for them.
The risk of pathogenic species appearing in Iceland remains minimal. Jones stressed that Aedes require tropical conditions, and modelling predicts that northern Europe will be unsuitable for dengue transmission even by 2080.
Test: What Do You Know About Antarctica? TOPICS Life's Little Secrets
Clarissa Brincat, Live Science contributor
Clarissa Brincat is a science journalist specializing in medical research. With a master's degree in chemistry, she chose a career in science communications. Her work has appeared in Medscape, HealthCentral, and elsewhere, combining accuracy with accessibility.
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