Asciz^EP3709 homozygotes are lethal, the animals pupate but fail to eclose; the eclosion rate of heterozygotes is also decreased relative to wild-type. Homozygous third instar larvae have significantly smaller brain although the larval body size is normal. Homozygote larval brains show a slight increase in apoptosis but a marked decrease in cell division compared to wild-type.

At 24 hours after puparium formation (APF), most Asciz^EP3709 mutants either decay or are without proper head or imaginal disc eversion and show defective gas bubble displacement; in the remaining pupae formation of adult structures is impaired and there is perdurance of salivary glands.

At 90h APF and later, most Asciz^EP3709 mutants are decayed and shriveled or have impaired development.

Adult Asciz^EP3709 heterozygotes, particularly males, have increased mortality upon exposure to paraquat, when compared to wild-type individuals.