Knowledge Bank

Embiid grooming (based on Oligembia (D.) vandykei Ross, and two unidentified species) includes five acts, all involving the mouth as the effector organ: Antenna Clean, Foreleg Clean, Midleg Clean, Hindleg Clean, and Abdomen Clean. Of these, only Antenna Clean is unusual because the antenna is unassisted by a foreleg, and is turned under the body and supported by the substrate as the head dips to reach it. Zorapteran grooming (Zorotypus hubbardi Caudell) includes 10 acts which can be performed in 13 ways. Alternate ways occur in Midleg Clean and Palpus Clean. The remaining eight acts are: Antenna Clean, Foreleg Clean, Hindleg Clean, Abdomen Clean, Antenna-Foreleg Rub, Head-Foreleg Rub, Body-Foreleg Rub, and Body-Substrate Rub. Modes unknown in other insects occur in Midleg Clean (with both forelegs raised), and Abdomen Clean (body forming a closed upside-down U, on a 4-point stance, the forelegs raised). Grooming behavior of embiids and zorapterans does not suggest relationships with other insect orders, and emphasizes their isolation.