'Zombie spiders' found in Cavan cave

The finding, believed to the first of its kind in this region, is included in a recently published scientific study.

So-called “zombie spiders” have been discovered in a cave in Cavan.

The phenomenon, which sees common cave spiders become “zombies” after their central nervous systems are infected by fungi, was first discovered by Fermanagh-based speleologist Tim Fogg in the White Father's Cave west of Blacklion village.

The fungus comes from the crevices in the cave walls where it occupies its host before killing them, and spreading the spores to infects even more spiders.

Mr Fogg, who has travelled the world exploring cave networks with his wife Pam, says the fungi have no nervous system or brain but can manipulate the behaviour of the spiders for its own devices.

The finding, believed to the first of its kind in this region, is included in a recently published scientific study, and Mr Fogg is confident that even more samples can be found further across Ireland.