Viscosity
like honey

Sensory
Stalks

Neural
Tendrils

1-2 cm wide

6-8 cm long

Antiseptic
properties

Join Us
One happy family~

Primary Breeding grounds

Glows
in the dark

Outside layer of Slugs

Pool of
Mucus

Slime

'Meteor' Cutout

Tunnel

Metallic
Shell

Spongy
Interior

Spongy
Interior

Shell is Strong enough to
survive reentry

Create new Homehive with
at least 1 slug core fragment

seed
HIVES MAKE SEEDS

pleasure?

sleep?

purple
irises

Slug nestles
into brain

That's me
too

Brain
covered
in slime

That's me!

Illustration of Dr. William Lee
mid-infection

Infected hosts willing to cooperate to let us learn
about A. encephalos. Why?

Because it lets us learn
more about you *winky face*

Let us in~
It's only a
matter of time

We love glucose

Tick
Tock

Method of Control (Abridged)
1. The slug attaches to the host's brain
2. The slug releases a hypnotic slime to cover the brain
3. The slug interfaces with the brain via neural tendrils
(figure 1c)
4. After ~12 hours the slug begins actively manipulating
host thoughts
5. The slug begins stimulating the host's natural reward
pathway. Hosts often experience immense pleasure and an
overwhelming urge to submit and surrender to the
slugs
6. The host is now indoctrinated and may directly
communicate with the nearest Homehive
The slug takes priority control and command
of the host's brain.

So much better to let it think
for me

Not an accurate depiction of my brain