Mobilization of P{lacW}.
Abnormal grooming behaviour, front and hind legs do not touch the midline and therefore cannot remove dust particles. Axonal projections of the sensory neurons innervating the ASC and PSC macrochaetes lack the axonal branch contralateral to the cell body.
Flies remain dusty in a dust removal assay. Normal leg sweeping but leg rubbing is defective. Though the pairs of legs move back and forth in rubbing movements flies fail to get them together on the midline, so they rub back and forth in parallel, rather than touching. Movements are shaky and the flies frequently fall over while they are grooming. Flies walk on a flat surface and can fly. High levels of responsiveness in a single bristle scratch reflex test.
Transposase-induced excision of the P insertion is accompanied by phenotypic reversion of the mutant phenotype.
Excision of the P-element reverts the behavioural and axonal phenotypes caused by the insert.