6. Related behaviors

6.1. Anointing

6.2. Grooming

6.3. Egg laying-related behaviors

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6.1. Anointing behaviors

 

The term "anointing" refers to the behaviors displayed by leafhoppers and treehoppers when they release the fluid containing the Malpighian tubule secretory products (brochosomes or other) and apply this fluid onto the body. Anointing is typically observed after molts. The materials applied to the new integument give it additional properties, such as water-repellence. In leafhoppers, dry brochosomes are further distributed across the integument through grooming. Anointing and grooming of leafhoppers are two successive stages of making the brochosome coat. Anointing includes one or several series of stereotyped movements that usually differ between nymphs (immatures) and adults. There are also interspecific differences in anointing behaviors. Watch VIDEO

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Anointing in a freshly molted adult of Oncopsis flavicollis (L.) (part). The insect releases milky droplets of the brochosome-containing fluid from the anal opening (#1) and then spreads it with its hindlegs over the dorsal side of the body (#2). When the fluid dries, a bluish layer of brochosomes on the forewing surface becomes visible (#3).

 

See photos of anointing in Japanese leafhoppers at Keiji Morishima's Japanese Auchenorrhyncha Web Site.

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Often, anointing involves two discrete parts. This is illustrated here by a nymph of Cicadella viridis (L.). First, the insect spreads the Malpihian tubule secretion over the legs and ventral body surface (#A1-A2). After a pause, it releases another drop of secretion and spreads it over the dorsal body surface (#B1-B4).

Watch VIDEO

 

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In certain groups of leafhoppers, nymphs have relatively short legs and less flexible abdomens. Being apparently unfit for the acrobatic tricks shown above, they release a droplet of the Malpighian tubule secretion (white arrows) right onto the plant surface and then wallow in it (C1-C2, Oncopsis flavicollis (L.)). This type of anointing has been termed "bathing". Watch VIDEO

 

A similar behavior is displayed by treehopper nymphs.

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Grooming behavior

Anointing behavior of treehoppers

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