The fungus species Gibellula attenboroughii infects a spider. CABI / SWNS. The spiders, which are most commonly known to hide themselves away, begin to act irregularly when they contract the fungus.

The newly discovered species, named Gibellula attenboroughii, acts in a similar way as the zombie ant fungus, seemingly manipulating its prey to move to a more suitable spot for the fungus to ...

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 newly discovered fungus — named after naturalist Sir David Attenborough — transforms cave spiders into zombies. The species (Gibellula attenboroughii) forces reclusive arachnids into exposed ...

Fungi can be wonderful. Penicillium molds produce the antibiotic penicillin, which has saved untold lives by warding off ...

Gibellula attenboroughii on orb-weaving spiders found in Irish caves, and a microscope view of the fungus. Credit... Tim Fogg; Evans et al., FUSE, 2025; Harry Evans.

Gibellula attenboroughii on Metallina merianae on cave ceiling, Tullybelcoo Ground Bridge, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Credit: Fungal Systematics and Evolution (2025).

The Gibellula attenboroughii in the gunpowder store was on a dead orb-weaving cave spider, the Metellina merianae.

The infection stage of G. attenboroughii. (Credit: Tim Fogg) In a study published January 24th, G. attenboroughii was officially confirmed as a new species.Similar to the zombie-ant fungus, the ...

The Gibellula attenboroughii is, to a degree, the cousin of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungi. They both force the infected to climb as high as they can before the fungus grows out of their ...