Scientists have discovered a never-before-seen mind-controlling fungus that creates spider "zombies" after it was stumbled ...

A newly discovered species of fungus takes control of cave-dwelling spiders in Ireland and Northern Ireland, similar to the exploding zombie ant fungus that inspired The Last of Us.

Zombie spider fungus discovery The newfound species is part of a larger branch of fungi that exclusively infects spiders. Researchers observed a different species of Gibellula (G. aurea found in ...

The fungus Gibellula attenboroughii on the spider species Metallina merianae on cave ceiling, Tullybelcoo Ground Bridge, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. CREDIT: CABI/Evans et. al 2025.

A new zombie pathogen has been discovered in Ireland. This insidious fungus infects cave spiders and alters their behavior to help spread its spores to new victims. Later expeditions found similar ...

Fungus-infected 'zombie spiders' discovered in Irish caves - The newly discovered fungal species responsible for their ...

Once inside, the fungus buds and multiplies, Dr. Araújo said, “taking over basically almost the entire body of the spider.” Gibellula attenboroughii on orb-weaving spiders found in Irish ...

By Taylor Nicioli, CNN (CNN) — Scientists in Europe have identified a previously unknown species of fungus that turns cave spiders into “zombies.” The fungus lures them out of their webs ...

NORTHERN IRELAND (WKRC) - A recent study discovered a new species of fungus that infects cave spiders and turns them into spore-spreading zombies. The researchers behind the study, which was ...

A fungus named in honour of Sir David Attenborough has been found infecting and manipulating spiders in a Northern Ireland cave turning them into The Last of Us-style “zombies”.

By Taylor Nicioli, CNN (CNN) — Scientists in Europe have identified a previously unknown species of fungus that turns cave spiders into “zombies.” ...