Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

New 'Zombie' Fungus Discovered in Northern Ireland

2/5/2025

29 3

Summary

Attenborough's Fungus Discovery

In a groundbreaking discovery in Northern Ireland, researchers unveiled Gibellula attenboroughii, a fascinating fungus that hijacks the behavior of cave-dwelling spiders, luring them from their webs to a fatal fate in the open. Named in honor of Sir David Attenborough, this fungus reveals the eerie parallels to "zombie" fungi found in ants, hinting at a rich tapestry of fungal life lurking in the British Isles.

Summary

Fogg's Zombie Spiders

In the depths of White Fathers Cave, Ireland, speleologist Tim Fogg stumbled upon a chilling phenomenon: "zombie spiders." A peculiar fungus hijacks their behavior, luring them to their demise to spread spores. This rare fungus, with potential medical breakthroughs in cancer research, has samples preserved for further study, hinting at more discoveries waiting to be unearthed across Ireland.

1 of 2

Attenborough's Fungus Discovery

In a groundbreaking discovery in Northern Ireland, researchers unveiled Gibellula attenboroughii, a fascinating fungus that hijacks the behavior of cave-dwelling spiders, luring them from their webs to a fatal fate in the open. Named in honor of Sir David Attenborough, this fungus reveals the eerie parallels to "zombie" fungi found in ants, hinting at a rich tapestry of fungal life lurking in the British Isles.

1 / 2