Expression of Spt6dsRNA.Scer\UAS.WIZ under the control of Scer\GAL46983 results in pharate adult lethality in 98.3% of cases. These animals show defects in abdominal cuticle deposition and in trichome formation at approximately 80 hours after puparium formation (APF). A high frequency of melanotic lesions are visible in the abdomen at approximately 96 hours APF.