Iroshan (mirror)

The Iroshans were a society that lived in the Iroshar system in the Alpha Quadrant. The society consisted primarily of the Irosha and Zhr species native to the system. Many lived in the system as well.

Species
The Irosha were a species native to Iroshar III, similar to and visually indistinguishable from Humans.

The Zhrs were a small, insect-like species native to Iroshar IV. Zhrs were typically between six and fourteen centimeters in length. They were capable of flight and speech, and were able to learn Human languages.

Symbiosis
Zhrs could live independently or form a symbiotic relationship with a host organism, in which the symbiont was converted to a non-material form and stored in the host's brain. Because of this, zhrs were believed to descend, at least in part, from a species native to another dimension.

In a symbiotic relationship, the host would normally be aware of the symbiont's presence. However, some symbionts were able to conceal their presence from the host. Although they could not control their host, they were useful as spies.

Behavior
Iroshans were naturally trusting of each other and of alien species. Although this tendency led to a fruitful alliance with the Ferengi, it also made Iroshar vulnerable, since many Iroshans were too trusting and could be easily manipulated.

For much of the 22nd to 24th centuries, Iroshar was under the control of the Terran Empire and later the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, ultimately avoiding destruction due to its small size, its strategically disadvantageous location, and its reputation for producing skilled and loyal intelligence operatives.