(Microbial infection) Plays a role in mycobacterial infection. Mediates infection by M.fortuitum and uptake of M.smegmatis. Detected in all examined tissues of L3 instar larvae. Expression in the ring gland and anterior spiracles increases during development. In the ovaries it is predominantly expressed in one pole, and in the anterior spiracles it is mostly expressed in the spiracular gland. Ubiquitously expressed throughout the testis and alimentary tract. (Microbial infection) RNAi-mediated knockdown blocks infection by M.fortuitum and uptake of M.smegmatis. The name 'peste' means plague in Latin and derives from its role in bacterial infection. Belongs to the CD36 family. Extended N-terminus.