A rare “zombie” fungus, similar to the one that inspired the monsters in the hit series The Last of Us, has been discovered in a Scottish forest. The parasitic fungus, known as Gibellula, was found in ancient woodlands near Glasgow by amateur naturalist Ben Mitchell. The fungus infects its prey, typically spiders, taking control of their movements before eventually consuming them from the inside out.
Gibellula is related to the Cordyceps fungus, which famously hijacks the nervous systems of insects, making them act against their will. It’s commonly found in tropical regions, but its presence in Scotland’s temperate rainforest came as a surprise.
Mitchell, part of the West Cowal Habitat Restoration Project, uncovered the fungus growing from the exoskeleton of a spider, bursting with spores ready to infect its next host. Though parasitic fungi are common, this discovery marks only the ninth recorded instance of Gibellula in 70 years.
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The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity found in Scotland’s rainforests, where volunteers are uncovering rare species previously affected by environmental damage.
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