Homozygous larvae stop growing at the second instar stage and die after 7-8 days.
Larvae do not grow normally and die while small. Body length remains relatively shorter than tracheal stems, which become convoluted in a meandering manner. Salivary glands reach 30% normal size. Pharyngeal development is normal. RK3.
Intestines lack proteolytic enzymes.
The isoacceptor pattern of tRNA:E4 is altered in l(2)me1 mutant flies, supporting the hypothesis that the l(2)me1 mutation may be a deletion of part of the tRNA:E4 cistrons (and Hex-C) located at 2-72.