Animals expressing Trf2^{dsRNA.Scer\UAS} under the control of Scer\GAL4²³¹⁴ develop to the third instar larval stage, but a majority of them fail to pupate or die during pupal stages. The mutant third instar larvae appear normal in size.

The salivary glands of larvae expressing Trf2^{dsRNA.Scer\UAS} under the control of Scer\GAL4²³¹⁴ show severe growth defects. This defect appear to be cell-growth related; the number of cells in the mutant glands is normal, but there is a dramatic reduction in cell and organ size. The nuclei of the salivary gland cells appear underdeveloped, consistent with a failure to polytenize chromosomes. The chromosomes have very few discernible banding patterns and are interspersed with numerous thin chromatin fibres that appear improperly folded.