Strange ‘Zombie’ Fungus Discovered in Scottish Woodlands

A rare fungus known to turn spiders into ‘zombies’ has been found in Scotland’s rainforest. The fungus is known as Gibellula, and it is a part of the Cordyceps family. Which is famous from the video game and TV series The Last of Us. Once this fungus infects a spider, it takes control of its body feeding on it from the inside. After consuming the spider the fungus bursts out spreading spores to find its next victim.

This remarkable fungus is just one of more than 650 species recently recorded by the West Cowal Habitat Restoration Project, managed by Argyll Countryside Trust. The project is focused on restoring Scotland’s rare temperate rainforest in the Kilfinan and Colintraive peninsulas. Other unique species found by volunteers include glow-worms, colourful slime moulds, butterflies, and even jellyfish. Scotland’s rainforest is home to many rare species, including lichens, mosses, and liverworts, making it a biodiversity hotspot.

Ben Mitchell who is a naturalist involved in this project discovered two examples of the Gibellula fungus. Speaking about the find, Ben shared his excitement: “Out of all the species I’ve come across, the Gibellula fungus is my favourite. It’s creepy yet incredible how it compels spiders to move under leaves and stick there before it takes over. While it sounds grim, it’s a fascinating part of nature.”

Ben’s discovery is particularly significant, as there have only been about 10 records of this fungus in Scotland over the last 70 years. His findings highlight the richness of Scotland’s temperate rainforest and the importance of ongoing efforts to document wildlife.

ACT’s woodland coordinator, Ian Dow, set up the wildlife recording project through the iNaturalist platform. He explained that the West Cowal project’s primary focus is habitat restoration, particularly through rhododendron control and deer management. However, monitoring what species remain and what has been lost is key to understanding the rainforest’s health.

The rainforest in Scotland is a rare ecosystem, covering about 30,000 hectares and home to hundreds of mosses, lichens, liverworts, rare birds, and butterflies. The West Cowal Habitat Restoration Project is one of eight projects supported by the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest (ASR), which is a partnership of 24 organizations working to restore this unique habitat. These efforts cover nearly 300,000 hectares of land, with more projects in development. 

As the restoration work continues, who knows what other hidden wonders may be discovered in Scotland’s magical rainforest?