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A research team filming a documentary in Northern Ireland made an intriguing discovery: a fungus that appears to exert control over spider behavior, effectively transforming them into “zombies.” This newly identified fungus, named Gibellula attenboroughii, is detailed in a study published on January 24 in the journal Fungal Systematics and Evolution.
The primary host for this fascinating fungus is the shaded orbweaver (also known as the orb-weaving cave spider, Metellina merianae), a species typically found in the dark, humid environments of Europe. The unusual fungus was first observed during the production of the BBC series Winterwatch in 2021, where it was identified on the ceiling of a forsaken gunpowder storeroom. Initial photographs indicated a potential new fungal infection affecting the spider.
Research suggests that Gibellula attenboroughii may emit spores that influence the spiders’ behavior. After further investigation, additional infected spiders were discovered clinging to cave ceilings and walls in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Notably, the fungus also seems to affect a related species, Meta menardi.
Researchers indicated that the affected spiders exhibited a tendency to abandon their webs and migrate to locations where they ultimately succumbed to the fungal infection. This behavior mirrors that observed in ants infected by fungi from the Ophiocordyceps genus in the Brazilian rainforest. Cultured samples of these fungi contain metabolites that can alter behavior, such as dopamine, while the electrical impulses released by King oyster mushrooms have been utilized to direct the movement of biohybrid robots crafted by experts from Cornell University and the University of Florence.
The fungus Gibellula attenboroughii infects the spider species Metallina merianae on cave ceilings, particularly notable at Tullybelcoo Ground Bridge in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. CREDIT: CABI/Evans et al. 2025.
To further understand the ecological impact of this fungus, scientists examined historical records, uncovering a previously unrecognized diversity within the Gibellula genus across the British Isles. They also found evidence of widespread fungal epidemics affecting spider populations in England and Wales. The study’s authors propose that understanding the role of these fungi in spider population dynamics, along with the specific metabolites they produce, warrants further investigation given their peculiar ecological interactions.
[ Related: This parasite deploys mucus slime balls to make ‘zombie ants’]
Gibellula attenboroughii was named in tribute to the esteemed broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough. Numerous species have been named in his honor, including the egg-laying mammal Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), the miniature orchid (Lepanthes attenboroughii), Attenborough’s black-eyed satyr butterfly (Euptchia attenboroughi), and the ghost shrimp (Ctenocheloides attenboroughi).
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