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Illustrative photo
Photo: vetre/Depositphotos
Until this month, Iceland remained one of the few places in the world without a mosquito population. The only other such place remains Antarctica, writes The Guardian.
As the global temperature rises, new species of mosquitoes are appearing all over the world.
Eggs of the Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) were found in Great Britain this year, and the eggs of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) were found in Kent. Both species are invasive and can carry tropical diseases such as dengue and Zika.
Scientists have long assumed that mosquitoes can appear in Iceland, because there are many swamps and ponds here – potential places for their reproduction.
Most species of these insects are not able to survive in the harsh climate of the country. However, Iceland is warming four times faster than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. Glaciers are collapsing, and fish from warmer southern regions, including mackerel, are already found in the country’s waters.
Enthusiastic researcher Björn Hjaltason found the insect samples.
“On the evening of October 16, I noticed a strange fly on a red wine ribbon (insect trap – ed.). I immediately guessed what it was and quickly collected a sample. It was a female.” – said the man.
Later, he caught two more mosquitoes and sent them to the Institute of Natural Sciences of Iceland, where the find was confirmed by entomologist Matthias Alfredsson.
“Three specimens of the species Culiseta annulata were found at Kidaufelli, in the Chios area – two females and one male. All the insects were trapped on vine ribbons used to attract butterflies.” – the scientist explained.
This species is resistant to cold and can survive Icelandic winters, hiding in basements and sheds, the scientist summarized.
Earlier, scientists said that due to global warming, tropical diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya may become endemic to Europe in the coming decades.
”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Illustrative photo
Photo: vetre/Depositphotos
Until this month, Iceland remained one of the few places in the world without a mosquito population. The only other such place remains Antarctica, writes The Guardian.
As the global temperature rises, new species of mosquitoes are appearing all over the world.
Eggs of the Egyptian mosquito (Aedes aegypti) were found in Great Britain this year, and the eggs of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) were found in Kent. Both species are invasive and can carry tropical diseases such as dengue and Zika.
Scientists have long assumed that mosquitoes can appear in Iceland, because there are many swamps and ponds here – potential places for their reproduction.
Most species of these insects are not able to survive in the harsh climate of the country. However, Iceland is warming four times faster than the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. Glaciers are collapsing, and fish from warmer southern regions, including mackerel, are already found in the country’s waters.
Enthusiastic researcher Björn Hjaltason found the insect samples.
“On the evening of October 16, I noticed a strange fly on a red wine ribbon (insect trap – ed.). I immediately guessed what it was and quickly collected a sample. It was a female.” – said the man.
Later, he caught two more mosquitoes and sent them to the Institute of Natural Sciences of Iceland, where the find was confirmed by entomologist Matthias Alfredsson.
“Three specimens of the species Culiseta annulata were found at Kidaufelli, in the Chios area – two females and one male. All the insects were trapped on vine ribbons used to attract butterflies.” – the scientist explained.
This species is resistant to cold and can survive Icelandic winters, hiding in basements and sheds, the scientist summarized.
Earlier, scientists said that due to global warming, tropical diseases such as dengue fever and chikungunya may become endemic to Europe in the coming decades.