Zombie Spiders and the Hidden Wildlife of Brompton Cemetery

Meet Brompton Cemetery’s ‘zombie’ spiders 

During recent investigations in the cemetery’s catacombs, a mycologist from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew identified a fungus called Lecanicillium tenuipes growing on cellar spiders (Pholcus phalangioides).

This fungus is a specialised parasite of this spider species, eventually killing its host. It grows inside the spider’s body before emerging through the joints in its exoskeleton, creating the ghostly, motionless specimens discovered hanging on the ceiling of the catacombs.

But there’s more to this discovery than just its eerie appearance. Some spider-infecting fungi can also alter their hosts’ behaviour, causing infected spiders to climb into more exposed positions before they die.

This unusual behaviour can help the fungus spread. By positioning its host somewhere higher and more open, the fungus gives its spores a better chance of dispersing through the air and reaching other spiders.

It’s a fascinating example of how a parasite can influence the behaviour of another animal to help ensure its own survival. Although spider-infecting fungi aren't unique to Brompton Cemetery, they remain relatively under-studied, making discoveries like these valuable to scientific research.

Why a little wildness matters

Supporting this diversity means making space for nature, even in a historic landscape that people may be used to seeing carefully maintained.

If you've ever noticed areas of longer grass at Brompton Cemetery, there's a good reason. By cutting different areas at different times, our teams create a mixture of habitats, giving insects places to feed, shelter and reproduce.

Some areas are kept shorter, while others are allowed to grow for longer, encouraging flowering plants and providing cover for wildlife. This varied approach helps support different species, each with their own needs.

Trees and deadwood are also valuable. Older trees provide shelter and support wildlife that feeds on foliage, while decaying wood creates habitats for invertebrates and fungi. Protecting mature ivy and increasing the availability of deadwood can provide further resources for these often-overlooked species.

Together, these habitats create the conditions for a rich community of wildlife to thrive. Through careful management and conservation work - supported by Players of Postcode Lottery - The Royal Parks helps maintain this variety of life alongside Brompton Cemetery’s historic monuments and its many visitors.

So, the next time you see a patch of longer grass or a fallen branch left in place, it might be worth taking a closer look. What appears overgrown at first glance could be an important part of a thriving habitat.

Brompton Cemetery is a place of remembrance, history and reflection, but it is also a living landscape full of unexpected discoveries. From fungi growing on spiders, to beetles eating deadwood to anthills among the grass, its hidden wildlife shows just how much can be happening in the places we might otherwise overlook.