10% of embryos derived from homozygous females have a class I phenotype (they are strongly dorsalised, lacking both ventral denticles and filzkorper) and 90% have a class II phenotype (they lack ventral denticles but have filzkorper). 56% of embryos derived from gd⁶/Df(1)KA10 females have a class I phenotype and 44% have a class II phenotype.

Transheterozygous combinations of gd mutations produce a range of cuticular phenotypes, ranging from cuticle only having dorsal characteristics, to cuticle having some ventral characteristics, such as ventral setal belts, depending on the alleles used. Some combinations of alleles complement each other.

98% of embryos derived from gd¹/gd⁶ females hatch. 36% of embryos derived from gd²/gd⁶ females hatch, 35% either do not complete head involution or develop into apparently normal L1 larvae which either fail to hatch or die soon after hatching, and 29% have a reduction in ventral cuticle, but retain some ventral abdominal setal belt material (class III phenotype). 70% of embryos derived from gd⁶/gd⁹ females have a class II phenotype; embryos lack ventral cuticle, the filzkorper are present and increased amounts of cuticle show dorsal characteristics compared to wild-type, embryos are more twisted than class III embryos and are often tube-like, the ventral furrow is absent, there is no sign of mesoderm development and midgut and hindgut is poorly organised. 30% have a class I phenotype; embryos lack ventral cuticle and filzkorper, producing only dorsal cuticle.

Embryonic defects detectable at gastrulation.

Homozygous females lay eggs that fail to hatch.

gd⁶ complements gd³ and partially complements gd².