Irish zombie spiders: A new type of zombie insects have just made themselves known in Ireland. We are famous for many things as Irish people but it’s hard to picture anything good coming from this news.
Apparently, Zombie Spiders are a thing.
“Zombie spiders” are Irish cave-dwelling spiders that have been infected by fungi. This fungi takes over their bodies and changes their behaviour.
This grossness is not new. There have been countless phenomena worldwide of fungus species infecting insects and turning them into ‘mindless zombies’.
Zombie ants can be infected with the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, known as ‘zombie-ant fungus’. The fungus takes over their bodies and drains its host of all nutrients. Then, it fills the body with spores to allow self propegation and reproduction. This specific incident in ants is found most commonly in tropical rainforests.
But now, unfortunately, we have an example on home ground. It’s probably time to consider throwing a grenade in every cave in Ireland.
Zombie Spider cave hell
The hellish cave spiders found in Ireland are a particularly creepy new development. As reported by the Irish Times, the fungus forces these cave-dwelling spiders out of their crevice or lairs. The spiders move to the walls and ceilings of the cave entrance and die of exposure.
Then the fungus can spread its evil spores, infecting other spiders as well.
The fungus is capable of using chemicals to control the behaviour of the host body, and it is very similar to the ant-zombie fungus, displaying similar methods of behaviour alteration to aid the spread of spores.
This spider-zombie fungus species, known as Gibellula attenboroughii, has so far only been found in cave-dwelling spiders from cave systems in Ireland.
It was named after Sir David Attenborough after it was discovered in 2021 during the filming of the BBC Winterwatch in County Down.
Of course, social media is in a meltdown about it.


Irish zombie spiders look rather fashionable in their winter fur.
Irish Zombie Spiders: Where did they come from?
So, why is this happening? Where did this fungus come from? Can it affect humans as well?
We kinda don’t know much. This is one of the first times this fungus has been discovered to affect cave-dwelling orb spiders that are indigenous to Ireland.
The origin of the fungus is unknown, and it will continue to spread its spores and further infect other spiders in an arachnid hellscape worthy of fleeing the country and never looking back.
Fungus hell media
The zombie-ant fungus has in fact inspired various works of sci-fi horror, such as the video game and TV series The Last of Us. This is a popular series following various characters in a post-apocalyptic zombie-ravenged world.
However, while this seemingly world-dooming fungus might look like it could lead us into a zombie apocalypse, its discovery could get us a leg-up in the medical world. It isn’t the first time spiders have been used in medicine.
Irish Zombie Spiders: Medical breakthrough?
Lots of fungi are known to prevent the growth of bacterial cells, and some naturally create antibodies. Various fungi species have effective and prominent uses in medicine, one prominent example being the production of penicillins, which was the world’s first antibiotic.
This “interesting” fungus could be potentially used in medicine, rather than cause its zombie downfall.
While these freaky events might present themselves to you on your next caving adventure, they could potentially be the reason you survive cancer in the future.
Seems like we will have to make peace with the zombie fungus.