Expression of shep^GD5125 under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav-C155 leads to loss of pre-synaptic markers and a decrease in neuropil size in pharate adults, including the antennal lobes, suboesophageal ganglion, and prothoracic ganglion. The flies expressing shep^GD5125 under the control of Scer\GAL4^elav-C155 that are able to eclose walk unsteadily and often fall to the bottom of the vial. During eclosion they appear to display weakened leg movements. The majority of flies fail to expand their wings after eclosion. When flipped over, adult flies take >200 times longer to turn back over than control flies, and climb more slowly than controls. The flies have shaking legs and often drop off the side of the vial. No flipping or crawling defects are observed in third instar larvae, and the third-instar larval neuropil area is unchanged.

The bursicon neuron somata in stage P14 pharate adults expressing shep^GD5125 under the control of Scer\GAL4^CCAP.PP are reduced in area and peripheral axon branching defects are seen. Bursicon neuron soma area is unchanged in larvae compared to controls and there is no change in the number and size distribution of NMJ boutons.