Editing Neural Parasites (section)

==Biology==

The parasites' natural appearance resembles that of light purple, crawling insects. A humanoid lifeform inhabited by one of the parasites displays a noticeable spine-like protrusion from the base of the neck that permits the parasite to breathe. They are apparently incapable of inhabiting Soong-type androids such as Data.

The parasites appeared to be highly intelligent, perhaps more intelligent than [[Human]]s, and even cultured, at one point claiming "a love of theatre." However, the parasites were incapable of retaining either some or all of a host's memories, providing another means through which they could be exposed.

A Human inhabited by the parasites will display increased physical strength—such that the elderly Admiral Quinn was able to easily fight off three much younger men, including even Worf—and vitality; even the host's resistance to [[Phaser]]s is increased. Not realizing that Quinn had been inhabited, Picard had commented that Quinn looked much healthier than the last time they had met.

The parasites are connected to a mother organism, a larger creature likewise capable of inhabiting a humanoid host. The death of this creature seems to result in the deaths of all progeny. (TNG: "Conspiracy")