The first type is  a flying  parasite ,  a disc shaped gelatinous creature about 30 cm in diameter. (Almost like a jelly fish or a stingray.) These Parasites have no detectable external or internal organs, and they emit buzzing sounds similar to bees.

Spock described a parasite as “resembling, more than anything, a gigantic brain cell.“

They attacked by making physical contact with a target and stinging it. Their stinger injected a strand of tissue that rapidly infiltrated the victim’s nervous system very.    “far, far too involved for conventional surgery to remove.” according to Dr. Leonard McCoy .

Once the parasite infiltrates a host, it pressures the host to obey its commands by inflicting enormous pain.  Spock being stung by one of these nasty buggers  was able to end the pain through mental discipline and convince the crew to let him collect one of the parasites to run tests on. However, for others, the continuous painful stimulation could lead to insanity and death.

These “Denevan” parasites, were originally designed by Wah Chang, prop and creature designer from Hawaii.  Wah Ming Chang had been responsible for the design and construction of many familiar items used in Star Trek: The Original Series.

The second type of neural parasite  is a particularly nasty one. The appearance of these “parasitic beings” resembles that of common crawling insects. They are purple in color and about 12 cm in length . They have  two pincers, six legs, and a blue gill. ( still afraid of spiders?)

When invading the host-victim, their gill protrudes from the victim’s skin at the base of the neck allowing it to breathe. This is the only identifiable physical attribute shown by the parasite.

While inside the host body, the parasite  takes complete control over all brain functions by placing its tendrils around the victim’s brain stem. When under control the host exhibits enormous strength.

These creatures  and their “mother”, recognized as an otherwise intelligent alien non-humanoid parasitic lifeform, was first discovered by the United Federation of Planets during the mid-2360s. Though the true origins of these lifeforms was specifically unknown, it was determined that they originated from an otherwise unexplored sector of the Milky Way Galaxy.

“We mean you no harm. We seek peaceful co-existence,” the actions of these otherwise aggressive parasites said otherwise, as they had the ability to invade and control humanoid species,  especially Humans and Vulcans.

The props were originally made of clay and latex.  Newer versions are made in resin moulds and can be painted in any desired color . You can find these on the internet  for 12 to 60€ .

Try to find them on one of the Sector 31 meetings but don’t come to close….