Mutants pupariate at a lower height than wild-type controls. Most flies successfully complete eclosion at 25[o]C, but at 29[o]C all animals die before or during eclosion. Mutant adults show increased mortality compared to controls early in life, resulting in a marked decrease in lifespan compared to wild type. Mutant animals show accelerated development during larval stages compared to wild type, while the time spent between pupariation and adult eclosion is not significantly different to normal.

Adults that eclose at 25[o]C are unable to fly and have a defective wing posture. They are unable to efficiently climb in a negative geotaxis assay. The optic lobes and central brain of mutant adults have a higher level of vacuolization compared to control age-matched flies, dying cells are seen in both areas of the brain and neurons with various degenerative features (abnormally shaped mitochondria, ectopic vacuoles and dense inclusion bodies) are seen.

Atg17^MI01469/Atg17^3F5 and Atg17^MI01469/Atg17^4G7 adults have an abnormal wing posture and severely reduced climbing ability in a negative geotaxis assay. The brains of Atg17^MI01469/Atg17^3F5 adults have a dramatically reduced number of autophagosomes compared to controls.

Atg17^MI01469/Atg17^MI01469-RV adults have normal climbing ability in a negative geotaxis assay.