Seeing mosquitoes everywhere
All the flies seen above have, quite unfairly, been labeled as the infamous "mosquito." Composite image
Gísli Már Gíslason , entomologist and professor emeritus in aquatic biology, says he has recently received many reports from people who believe they have seen a mosquito, following two confirmed cases in Iceland —one in the South and one in Kj ós .
However, in almost all cases, people’s suspicions turn out to be wrong. Gísli points out that there are well over a hundred species of small flies in Iceland, many of which resemble certain types of mosquitoes.
“Many people who are convinced they’ve found a mosquito have sent us photos. In the vast majority of cases, it turns out to be some kind of midge,” Gíslason says.
“We’ve even received pictures of moths that people thought were mosquitoes,” he adds with a laugh.
He says the main characteristic of mosquitoes is their long proboscis —about as long as the insect’s other limbs—which is used for biting.
One bites humans, the other likely not
G íslason says the mosquitoes found in Kjós and South Iceland belong to different variants. The Kjós variant bites all mammals, while the one found in the South appears to bite only birds. This still needs to be confirmed with DNA analysis.
Mosquitoes have a long proboscis. Photo/Björn Hjaltason
“It showed no interest whatsoever in horses or humans when we were examining it, but there were starlings in the stable, and we wondered whether the flies were more attracted to them. We’ve sent the sample for DNA analysis and will soon know exactly which variant it is,” Gíslason says.
Need reading glasses to see the biting midges
In his view, people’s fear of mosquitoes in Iceland is unnecessary. Biting midges ( lúsmý ) are actually a much worse nuisance.
“You can see mosquitoes and swat them away with a newspaper or something. But I need reading glasses to even see the biting midges. You can’t defend yourself against them,” Gíslason says.
