Zombie Fungus Controls Spiders

 Scientists Discover 'Zombie' Fungus That Controls Spiders in Ireland's Caves

In a discovery straight out of a horror movie, scientists have found a fungus in Ireland that takes over spiders' bodies, forcing them to spread its spores before meeting a gruesome end. But don’t worry—at least for now, this mind-controlling fungus only affects cave-dwelling spiders.

The fungus, named Gibellula attenboroughii after the legendary naturalist Sir David Attenborough, was first spotted in County Down in 2021 during the filming of BBC’s Winterwatch. Since then, it has been found in various cave systems across the island, including the Whitefathers' Caves on the Fermanagh/Cavan border.

How the Fungus Turns Spiders into 'Zombies'

Unlike anything seen before in Ireland, Gibellula attenboroughii manipulates its host’s behavior in a chilling way. Once infected, the spider abandons its usual hiding spot and moves to an exposed area—like the roof or walls of a cave—where it eventually dies. This dramatic shift in behavior is triggered by dopamine, the chemical that creates a sense of pleasure and reward. Infected spiders are essentially tricked into sacrificing themselves to help the fungus spread its spores.

If this sounds familiar, it's because a similar phenomenon exists in the Amazon rainforest, where fungi of the Ophiocordyceps genus infect ants and turn them into so-called “zombie ants.” That eerie real-world phenomenon has inspired books, movies, and even the hit video game The Last of Us, which was later adapted into an award-winning HBO series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey.

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The Search for More Infected Spiders

Once the fungus was first discovered, scientists, led by Dr. Harry Evans from the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), set out to investigate further. Their research led them to the gunpowder store at Castle Espie in County Down, where another infected spider was found. To deepen their study, they enlisted the help of a speleologist—a cave explorer—to track down more cases.

Through extensive exploration, they confirmed that this fungus specifically targets indigenous cave-dwelling spiders, including Metellina merianae and Meta menardi. These reclusive, orb-web-weaving spiders prefer dark, damp environments such as tunnels, culverts, and cellars—exactly the kind of places where Gibellula attenboroughii thrives.

What’s Next for This Creepy Fungus?

While the discovery raises many questions, one thing is certain: more research is needed to understand just how this fungus operates. Dr. Evans and his team have published their findings in the journal Fungal Systematics and Evolution, calling for further studies on how the fungus spreads and how it interacts with its hosts.

As for whether this fungus could ever jump to other species—including humans—scientists say there’s no cause for alarm. “At least not yet,” as Dr. Evans puts it.

So, for now, we can rest easy knowing that this terrifying fungus remains confined to the hidden corners of Ireland’s caves. But nature has a way of surprising us, and who knows what future research will uncover?