Mosquitoes found in Iceland for the first time in history

Mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland for the first time in history.

The country had long been one of the world's only mosquito-free places - partly due to its cold climate.

The insects - two females and one male - were found in Kjós, a glacial valley to the west of the capital, Reykjavik.

The species are common across parts of Europe and North Africa, but it is not yet known how they reached Iceland.

Iceland was one of only two places in the world that hadn't seen mosquitos, prior to the discovery.

The only other recorded mosquito-free zone in the world is the continent of Antarctica.

Iceland's cold climate and lack of stagnant water (which is where the insects are mostly found) are thought to be the main reasons why mosquitoes haven't been spotted before in the country.

However, it has now been confirmed that three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes, two females and one male, were discovered.

They were found around 20 miles away from the capital Reykjavik, according to Matthias Alfredsson, an entomologist - or insect scientist - at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland.

Experts have confirmed this species is resistant to the cold and can likely survive the harsh Icelandic conditions.

Rising temperatures, longer summers and milder winters, which are all brought on by climate change, create a more favourable environment for mosquitoes to thrive.

However, scientists say that they do not believe that a warmer climate necessarily explained the discovery.

Mr Alfredsson added that their presence could "indicate a recent introduction to the country, possibly via ships or containers", but further monitoring in spring would be needed.