Ablation (using rprUAS.cZa and hidUAS.cZa) of Scer\GAL4GMR45F08 cells, in combination with a Gal80[ts] transgene to restrict expression to a 24 h interval 2 days after hatching, results in larval lethality; prior to death, third instar larvae have increased spacing between central complex primordia and abnormal morphology of the fan-shaped body primordium and of axons in the posterior plexus of the fan-shaped body primordium, compared to controls; later-born secondary axons of the fan-shaped body primordium appear unaffected. Ablation during the embryonic stage results in embryonic lethality.