The fungus on Parasect is identified as tochukaso, an endoparasitoid that replaces the host tissue and can affect the behavior of its insect host. The base insect is a deformed version of what is probably a cicada nymph, the parasitic fungi having caused a form of neoteny.
Parasect may be a combination of parasite (referring to the tochukaso mushroom) and insect or sect (Latin for cut).
No: 047
English Name: Parasect
Japanese Name: Parasekuto
Generation: 1
Type: Bug, Grass
Species: Mushroom Pokémon
Abilities: Dry Skin, Effect Spore, Damp (hidden ability)
Evolution: Paras > Parasect
Parasect is an orange, insectoid Pokémon that has been completely overtaken by the parasitic mushroom on its back. It has a small head with pure white eyes and a segmented body that is mostly hidden by the mushroom. It has three pairs of legs, with the foremost pair forming large pincers. The fungus growing on its back has a large red cap with yellow spots throughout.
The insect has been drained of nutrients and is now under the control of the fully-grown tochukaso. Parasect can thrive in dank forests with a suitable amount of humidity for growing fungi. Swarms of this Pokémon have been known to infest trees. The swarm will drain the tree of nutrients until it dies, and will then move on to a new tree. Its former signature move is Spore.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: A host-parasite pair in which the parasite mushroom has taken over the host bug. Prefers damp places.
Pokemon Blue: A host-parasite pair in which the parasite mushroom has taken over the host bug. Prefers damp places.
Pokemon Yellow: The bug host is drained of energy by the mushrooms on its back. They appear to do all the thinking.
Pokemon Stadium: The bug host is controlled by the mushrooms that scatter poisonous spores. The spores are sometimes used as medicine in China.
Pokemon Gold: It stays mostly in dark, damp places, the preference not of the bug, but of the big mushrooms on its back.
Pokemon Silver: The larger the mushroom on its back grows, the stronger the mushroom spores it scatters.
Pokemon Crystal: When nothing’s left to extract from the bug, the mushrooms on its back leave spores on the bug’s egg.
Pokemon Stadium 2: It stays mostly in dark, damp places, the preference not of the bug, but of the big mushrooms on its back.
Pokemon Ruby: Parasect is known to infest large trees en masse and drain nutrients from the lower trunk and roots. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Pokemon Sapphire: Parasect is known to infest large trees en masse and drain nutrients from the lower trunk and roots. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Pokemon Emerald: Parasect are known to infest the roots of large trees en masse and drain nutrients. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Pokemon FireRed: It scatters toxic spores from the mushroom cap. In China, the spores are used as herbal medicine.
Pokemon LeafGreen: A host-parasite pair in which the parasite mushroom has taken over the host bug. Prefers damp places.
Pokemon Diamond: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
Pokemon Pearl: It is controlled by a mushroom grown larger than the bug body. It is said to prefer damp places.
Pokemon Platinum: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
Pokemon HeartGold: It stays mostly in dark, damp places, the preference not of the bug, but of the big mushrooms on its back.
Pokemon SoulSilver: The larger the mushroom on its back grows, the stronger the mushroom spores it scatters.
Pokemon Black: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
Pokemon White: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
Pokemon Black 2: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
pokemon White 2: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
Pokemon X: A mushroom grown larger than the host’s body controls Parasect. It scatters poisonous spores.
Pokemon Y: The larger the mushroom on its back grows, the stronger the mushroom spores it scatters.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Parasect is known to infest large trees en masse and drain nutrients from the lower trunk and roots. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Parasect is known to infest large trees en masse and drain nutrients from the lower trunk and roots. When an infested tree dies, they move onto another tree all at once.
Pokemon SUN: The large mushroom on its back controls it. It often fights over territory with Shiinotic.
Pokemon MOON: It scatters toxic spores from its mushroom cap. Once harvested, these spores can be steeped and boiled down to prepare herbal medicines.
