After prolonged starvation, hermaphrodite L4 germ lines shrink due to loss of meiotic germ cells via apoptosis and slowed ovulation, with only quiescent germline stem cells remaining. Splicing collapse pauses/slows the development of hermaphrodite L4 germ lines with mitotic germ cell becoming quiescent. These quiescent germ cells can recommence proliferation and generate a new germline after re-feeding or restoration of splicing. Defective germ cells caused by splicing collapse are cleared by apoptosis after splicing is restored. Orange, proliferating germ cells; gray, quiescent germ cells; blue, spermatogenic meiotic cells; pink, oogenic meiotic cells.