In an era dominated by technological marvels and the promised land of the metaverse, we often find solace in the embrace of nature. Its picturesque landscapes, harmonious melodies, and staggering mountains have long served as a respite from the chaos of urban life, sure. Just a quick glance (and an echoey shout) at The Grand Canyon, one of the most breathtaking geological phenomenon in the world, and all is clear.

Yet, behind its façade of tranquility lies a wild, wild world teeming with unfathomable terror, lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce upon the unsuspecting travelers - something that has inspired countless horror classics, including Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975). But with about 86% of land species and 91% of sea species still remaining undiscovered as of today, there's plenty of spine-chilling inspiration yet to be uncovered for future blockbusters and bestsellers.

Australia, the land down under, for example, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife (some of which is terrifyingly good at boxing). However, nestled amidst this natural splendor lies a spine-tingling, eight-legged secret — a staggering number of spider species that call this continent home.

Australia's spider diversity is nothing short of a marvel, with over 2,400 identified species lurking in its vast territories (with around 50,000 more spider species "out there to discover," according to new data). From the venomous and infamous Sydney funnel-web spider to the peculiar peacock spider with its dazzling courtship dance, this arachnid-infested paradise leaves even the bravest souls with a lingering sense of unease. God bless the arachnophobic residents who live there.

While it's predators like lions and sharks or bald eagles that strike fear in our hearts, it is the tiny, inconspicuous creatures that often hold the deadliest secrets. Take the cordyceps fungus, for example — a seemingly innocuous fungus. But what lies beneath its unassuming exterior is an uncanny ability to unleash havoc on a massive scale, as HBO’s The Last Of Us proved to TV viewers.

Often referred to simply as the “zombie-ant fungus" for its ability to take over ants' bodies and control them, it quickly got everyone's attention after the now best-selling video game franchise of the same name (The Last Of Us) pondered if humanity's worst nightmare might be hiding in a couple of mushrooms. Rest assured, dear pandas, the cordyceps fungus can't turn humans into zombies. Dodged that bullet!

And yet, besides thalassophobia, arachnophobia and all other phobias that Mother Nature was kind enough to distill in us, thanks to the mesmerizing horrors its fury warriors produce simply by living amongst us - there's another phobia that's more frightening than all other fears. Say hello to 'biophobia.'

"Biophobia represents the negative emotions, such as fear, disgust, and aversion, that some individuals may feel towards certain aspects of nature," Masashi Soga, an ecologist at the University of Tokyo, who specializes in the psychological benefits of nature, told Bored Panda in an email.

"These innate negative responses are typically directed at specific natural stimuli, such as dark forests, bears, snakes, or spiders. Biophobia is thought to have a genetic component and involves innate physiological responses to elements of nature that might pose harm."

While Soga's main field revolves around 'biophilia,' the yin of biophobia, which, according to him, "refers to the innate affinity that humans have towards life and living systems," the research paper that he helped to produce claims that the cases of biophobia are on the rise and that should equally worry us as gargantuan spiders on our doorstep. 

"Undoubtedly, growing biophobia can have detrimental impacts on biodiversity conservation. People's perceptions of nature play a crucial role in shaping their attitudes towards it, which, in turn, influences their pro-biodiversity behavior," he explained.

As behavioral change is a key factor in conservation efforts, numerous policies are being implemented to encourage pro-biodiversity actions. However, the prevalence of biophobia can hinder individuals' willingness to engage in positive behaviors, resulting in a negative collective impact on both local and global biodiversity.

It's not that surprising, then, that urbanization is the major catalyst for the growing prevalence of biophobia. "As urban areas expand, people's direct experiences of and knowledge about nature often diminishes. Research suggests that individuals who had limited exposure to nature during childhood or possess less familiarity with it are more likely to develop negative perceptions of wild organisms," Soga said, noting that the media's not-so-surprising exaggeration of wildlife-related incidents plays a big part in this.

To break the cycle of biophobia, then, researchers emphasize the crucial role of education. It is particularly important to target children, as studies consistently show that early exposure to nature in a safe setting, whether through teachers or parents, significantly influences their attitudes towards the natural world.

"Unless we address this cycle," Soga explained, "biophobia is likely to continue growing in the future, thereby negatively impacting biodiversity conservation efforts." And unless we want another disaster on our hands, we better act fast.