A comparison of the activity of genetic elements from the regulatory region of the Drosophila melanogaster Deformed gene during embryogenesis and adult life reveals important similarities and differences. The 2.7 kb epidermal autoregulatory enhancer (EAE) of the Deformed gene drives expression of a beta-galactosidase reporter in unique spatial and temporal patterns in the adult antennae; this pattern is insensitive to temperature effects. The Deformed regulatory region possesses distinct enhancer elements that can direct the expression of a beta-galactosidase reporter spatially and temporally. A 120 bp region can reproduce the general features of the larger EAE fragment. The Deformed binding site is essential for temporal and spatial expression of beta-galactosidase during embryogenesis but is not required in the adult.