{"id":25289,"date":"2025-08-25T00:35:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T00:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289"},"modified":"2025-08-25T00:35:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T00:35:36","slug":"zombie-spiders-infected-by-fungus-are-creeping-into-us-homes-for-the-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Zombie&#8217; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"start_gallery\">The way the fungus hijacks spiders is deeply unsettling<\/p><div class=\"yxvdz69fee562a7ca2\" ><div style=\"width:100%; max-width:1200px; margin:0 auto;\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/bolt-casino.com?r=0BFDBF1283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n    <img \n      src=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f8693ebb-2018-480f-a2f7-0096810c07f0.jpg\" \n      alt=\"200% Deposit Bonus + 10% Cashback\" \n      style=\"width:100%; height:auto; display:block; border-radius:8px; cursor:pointer;\"\n    \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 1201px) {\r\n.yxvdz69fee562a7ca2 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px) {\r\n.yxvdz69fee562a7ca2 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 769px) and (max-width: 992px) {\r\n.yxvdz69fee562a7ca2 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 768px) {\r\n.yxvdz69fee562a7ca2 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {\r\n.yxvdz69fee562a7ca2 {\r\ndisplay: block;\r\n}\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ad_outer_main ad_outer_main_first\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sub\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer\">\nA strange new fungus, which is said to turn spiders into &#8216;zombies&#8217;, has now been discovered inside homes across the US, even though it had never been spotted in the country before.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, scientists reported the finding of a &#8216;novel species&#8217; fungus called Gibellula attenboroughii after it began infecting &#8216;cave-dwelling, orb-weaving spiders&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>These spiders were found clinging to cave walls or ceilings, and the unsettling part lies in how G. attenboroughii manages to spread from one host to the next.<\/p>\n<div class=\"atd_pages\">\n<article class=\"atd\">Once a spider is infected, the fungus manipulates its behavior in a way similar to the well-known &#8216;zombie ant fungus&#8217;. The spider is compelled to move to an open, elevated spot, where breezes can carry the spores farther.<\/p>\n<p>After that, a neurotoxin takes the spider\u2019s life while antimicrobial chemicals preserve the body, leaving it intact long enough for the fungus to grow inside and feed on its nutrients.<\/p>\n<p>Harry Evans, a researcher with the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International who studied the phenomenon, explained more about the chilling process.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article_image_wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tbdcdn.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/23\/108764-thatviralfeed.com-large-607297.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"article_image_credits\"><span class=\"article_image_credits_caption\">The spiders are invading homes in the US<\/span><span class=\"article_image_credits_credits\">Reddit<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ad_outer_main\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sw\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sub\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6899463337741277\" data-ad-slot=\"8944320096\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_3_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_3\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-6899463337741277&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;slotname=8944320096&amp;adk=1944728853&amp;adf=1748075643&amp;pi=t.ma~as.8944320096&amp;w=830&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1756081987&amp;rafmt=1&amp;format=830x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thatviralfeed.com%2Ffungus-infected-zombie-spiders-us%2F108764%3Futm_source%3Dsocial%26utm_medium%3Dhumormeetscomics%26utm_campaign%3Dhumormeetscomics%26utm_content%3Dsocial_imagepost&amp;fwr=0&amp;fwrattr=true&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;wgl=1&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTkuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTM5LjAuNzI1OC4xMzkiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90O0E9QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguMTM5Il0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguMTM5Il1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=6&amp;dt=1756081986878&amp;bpp=1&amp;bdt=1253&amp;idt=100&amp;shv=r20250820&amp;mjsv=m202508200101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3D8609ad01204e10db%3AT%3D1750557582%3ART%3D1756081338%3AS%3DALNI_MZexvhZONPStOhbnT1THiYer74jOw&amp;gpic=UID%3D0000115609e555fb%3AT%3D1750557582%3ART%3D1756081338%3AS%3DALNI_MbIfZvOjbM7njqUchCRUf0fKb_eHA&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D9da9c4cb73dd527e%3AT%3D1750210276%3ART%3D1756081338%3AS%3DAA-AfjbPix_EeihzyUUMpoL807qV&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C830x280%2C830x280&amp;nras=1&amp;correlator=760882426672&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=120&amp;u_his=1&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1032&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=2232&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1050&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=31094074%2C31094243%2C95362655%2C95368288%2C95368763%2C95369196%2C95369704%2C95369799%2C31094263%2C95344787%2C95359265&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=8712871464256472&amp;tmod=1906815491&amp;uas=0&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&amp;fc=1920&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1032%2C2133%2C1050&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&amp;abl=CS&amp;pfx=0&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;bz=0.9&amp;td=1&amp;tdf=2&amp;psd=W251bGwsW251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLCJkZXByZWNhdGVkX2thbm9uIl0sbnVsbCwzXQ..&amp;nt=1&amp;ifi=4&amp;uci=a!4&amp;btvi=1&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=346\" name=\"aswift_3\" width=\"830\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!4\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CIKWrpjbpI8DFfiHgwcd5OQE7Q\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"atd_pages\">\n<article class=\"atd\"><em>&#8220;There&#8217;s a lot more fungi to find.&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0he told Live Science.\u00a0<em>&#8220;The fungal kingdom could be up to 10, 20 million species, making it the biggest kingdom by far, but only one percent have been described.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Evans further explained:\u00a0<em>&#8220;Their fungi role in spider-population dynamics warrants further study, as does the metabolites they produce which enable them to exploit such a highly specific ecological niche.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Researchers emphasized that while the fungus is alarming, it poses no danger to people. That hasn\u2019t stopped it from appearing inside homes across the US, raising concern among residents.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ad_outer_main\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sw\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sub\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6899463337741277\" data-ad-slot=\"5005075082\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_4_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_4\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-6899463337741277&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;slotname=5005075082&amp;adk=95685656&amp;adf=3399055874&amp;pi=t.ma~as.5005075082&amp;w=830&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1756081987&amp;rafmt=1&amp;format=830x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thatviralfeed.com%2Ffungus-infected-zombie-spiders-us%2F108764%3Futm_source%3Dsocial%26utm_medium%3Dhumormeetscomics%26utm_campaign%3Dhumormeetscomics%26utm_content%3Dsocial_imagepost&amp;fwr=0&amp;fwrattr=true&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;wgl=1&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTkuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTM5LjAuNzI1OC4xMzkiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90O0E9QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguMTM5Il0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguMTM5Il1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=6&amp;dt=1756081986878&amp;bpp=1&amp;bdt=1253&amp;idt=101&amp;shv=r20250820&amp;mjsv=m202508200101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3D8609ad01204e10db%3AT%3D1750557582%3ART%3D1756081338%3AS%3DALNI_MZexvhZONPStOhbnT1THiYer74jOw&amp;gpic=UID%3D0000115609e555fb%3AT%3D1750557582%3ART%3D1756081338%3AS%3DALNI_MbIfZvOjbM7njqUchCRUf0fKb_eHA&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D9da9c4cb73dd527e%3AT%3D1750210276%3ART%3D1756081338%3AS%3DAA-AfjbPix_EeihzyUUMpoL807qV&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C830x280%2C830x280%2C830x280&amp;nras=1&amp;correlator=760882426672&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=120&amp;u_his=1&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1032&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=2913&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1050&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=31094074%2C31094243%2C95362655%2C95368288%2C95368763%2C95369196%2C95369704%2C95369799%2C31094263%2C95344787%2C95359265&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=8712871464256472&amp;tmod=1906815491&amp;uas=0&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&amp;fc=1920&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1032%2C2133%2C1050&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&amp;abl=CS&amp;pfx=0&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;bz=0.9&amp;td=1&amp;tdf=2&amp;psd=W251bGwsW251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLCJkZXByZWNhdGVkX2thbm9uIl0sbnVsbCwzXQ..&amp;nt=1&amp;ifi=5&amp;uci=a!5&amp;btvi=2&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=347\" name=\"aswift_4\" width=\"830\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!5\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CLanrpjbpI8DFTiMgwcdEj8u_g\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"atd_pages\">\n<article class=\"atd in-article-placed1757799\"><em>&#8220;Infecting humans would require many, many millions of years of genetic modifications.&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0reassured Jo\u00e3o Ara\u00fajo, a mycologist at the Natural History Museum of Denmark.<\/p>\n<p>But what exactly does one of these &#8216;zombie&#8217; spiders look like up close?<\/p>\n<div class=\"atd_pages\">\n<article class=\"atd in-article-placed1757799\">Photographer Ben Mitchell described his first encounter with the species to the WSJ, saying he came across it in Scotland during July 2024.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article_image_wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tbdcdn.com\/uploads\/2025\/08\/23\/108764-thatviralfeed.com-large-607298.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"article_image_credits\"><span class=\"article_image_credits_caption\">Yep, that&#8217;s it<\/span><span class=\"article_image_credits_credits\">Reddit<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ad_outer_main\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sw\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer_sub\">\n<div class=\"ad_outer\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6899463337741277\" data-ad-slot=\"4133194159\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_5_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_5\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-6899463337741277&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;slotname=4133194159&amp;adk=3186387722&amp;adf=2981908878&amp;pi=t.ma~as.4133194159&amp;w=830&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1756081987&amp;rafmt=1&amp;format=830x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thatviralfeed.com%2Ffungus-infected-zombie-spiders-us%2F108764%3Futm_source%3Dsocial%26utm_medium%3Dhumormeetscomics%26utm_campaign%3Dhumormeetscomics%26utm_content%3Dsocial_imagepost&amp;fwr=0&amp;fwrattr=true&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;wgl=1&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTkuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTM5LjAuNzI1OC4xMzkiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90O0E9QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguMTM5Il0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEzOS4wLjcyNTguMTM5Il1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=6&amp;dt=1756081986877&amp;bpp=1&amp;bdt=1252&amp;idt=103&amp;shv=r20250820&amp;mjsv=m202508200101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3D8609ad01204e10db%3AT%3D1750557582%3ART%3D1756081986%3AS%3DALNI_MZexvhZONPStOhbnT1THiYer74jOw&amp;gpic=UID%3D0000115609e555fb%3AT%3D1750557582%3ART%3D1756081986%3AS%3DALNI_MbIfZvOjbM7njqUchCRUf0fKb_eHA&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D9da9c4cb73dd527e%3AT%3D1750210276%3ART%3D1756081986%3AS%3DAA-AfjbPix_EeihzyUUMpoL807qV&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C830x280%2C830x280%2C830x280%2C830x280%2C330x250&amp;nras=1&amp;correlator=760882426672&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=120&amp;u_his=1&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1032&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=4073&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1050&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=31094074%2C31094243%2C95362655%2C95368288%2C95368763%2C95369196%2C95369704%2C95369799%2C31094263%2C95344787%2C95359265&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=8712871464256472&amp;tmod=1906815491&amp;uas=0&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&amp;fc=1920&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1032%2C2133%2C1050&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&amp;abl=CS&amp;pfx=0&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;bz=0.9&amp;td=1&amp;tdf=2&amp;psd=W251bGwsW251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLCJkZXByZWNhdGVkX2thbm9uIl0sbnVsbCwzXQ..&amp;nt=1&amp;ifi=6&amp;uci=a!6&amp;btvi=4&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=543\" name=\"aswift_5\" width=\"830\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!6\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CP7-uZjbpI8DFfSJgwcdMmU8_A\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"atd_pages\">\n<article class=\"atd\">Recalling the moment, Mitchell said:\u00a0<em>&#8220;I saw this amazing candyfloss thing stuck to the underside of a leaf. It had a membrane of threads around it holding it in place, and all I could see of the spider was its toes sticking out.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>While their appearance is unsettling, scientists believe this fungus could also have a silver lining. Lead researcher Evans suggested that the compounds produced by the fungus may act as a &#8216;medical treasure chest&#8217;, possibly leading to future breakthroughs such as new antibiotics or other valuable treatments.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The way the fungus hijacks spiders is deeply unsettling A strange new fungus, which is said to turn spiders into &#8216;zombies&#8217;, has now been discovered inside homes across the US, even though it had never been spotted in the country before. Earlier this year, scientists reported the finding of a &#8216;novel species&#8217; fungus called Gibellula&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[19,17,11,20,24,15,12,25,22,18,16,21,14,23,13],"class_list":["post-25289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-chronic-diseases","tag-fitness","tag-health-tips","tag-healthcare-technology","tag-healthy-lifestyle","tag-healthy-living","tag-medical-advice","tag-medical-awareness","tag-medical-research","tag-mental-health","tag-nutrition","tag-patient-care","tag-preventive-care","tag-public-health","tag-wellness"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>&#039;Zombie&#039; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time - VM News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"&#039;Zombie&#039; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time - VM News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The way the fungus hijacks spiders is deeply unsettling A strange new fungus, which is said to turn spiders into &#8216;zombies&#8217;, has now been discovered inside homes across the US, even though it had never been spotted in the country before. Earlier this year, scientists reported the finding of a &#8216;novel species&#8217; fungus called Gibellula...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"VM News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-25T00:35:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1350\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"vmfavorite\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"vmfavorite\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"vmfavorite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad\"},\"headline\":\"&#8216;Zombie&#8217; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-25T00:35:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\"},\"wordCount\":454,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Chronic Diseases\",\"Fitness\",\"Health Tips\",\"Healthcare Technology\",\"Healthy Lifestyle\",\"Healthy Living\",\"Medical Advice\",\"Medical Awareness\",\"Medical Research\",\"Mental Health\",\"Nutrition\",\"Patient Care\",\"Preventive Care\",\"Public Health\",\"Wellness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\",\"name\":\"'Zombie' Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time - VM News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-25T00:35:36+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1350},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"&#8216;Zombie&#8217; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/\",\"name\":\"VM News\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad\",\"name\":\"vmfavorite\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25ae7ad0af0818c5b3c7c52f4610bfa26e9985055e4db731befcf55c2fdcfd9b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25ae7ad0af0818c5b3c7c52f4610bfa26e9985055e4db731befcf55c2fdcfd9b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"vmfavorite\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"'Zombie' Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time - VM News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"'Zombie' Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time - VM News","og_description":"The way the fungus hijacks spiders is deeply unsettling A strange new fungus, which is said to turn spiders into &#8216;zombies&#8217;, has now been discovered inside homes across the US, even though it had never been spotted in the country before. Earlier this year, scientists reported the finding of a &#8216;novel species&#8217; fungus called Gibellula...","og_url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289","og_site_name":"VM News","article_published_time":"2025-08-25T00:35:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1350,"url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"vmfavorite","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"vmfavorite","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289"},"author":{"name":"vmfavorite","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad"},"headline":"&#8216;Zombie&#8217; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time","datePublished":"2025-08-25T00:35:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289"},"wordCount":454,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg","keywords":["Chronic Diseases","Fitness","Health Tips","Healthcare Technology","Healthy Lifestyle","Healthy Living","Medical Advice","Medical Awareness","Medical Research","Mental Health","Nutrition","Patient Care","Preventive Care","Public Health","Wellness"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289","url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289","name":"'Zombie' Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time - VM News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg","datePublished":"2025-08-25T00:35:36+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/538005046_1217950790372138_2010301546444054630_n.jpg","width":1080,"height":1350},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?p=25289#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"&#8216;Zombie&#8217; Spiders Infected By Fungus Are Creeping Into US Homes For The First Time"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/","name":"VM News","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/a2e30a4c480fba08110aa92dceebedad","name":"vmfavorite","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25ae7ad0af0818c5b3c7c52f4610bfa26e9985055e4db731befcf55c2fdcfd9b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25ae7ad0af0818c5b3c7c52f4610bfa26e9985055e4db731befcf55c2fdcfd9b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"vmfavorite"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/news-vm.com"],"url":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25289"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25291,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25289\/revisions\/25291"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news-vm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}