May act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. In larvae, detected in midgut but not in the CNS, ring gland, abdominal perisympathetic organs (aPSO) or thoracic perisympathetic organs (tPSO) (at protein level). In adults, expressed in brain, and thoracic-abdominal ganglion but not in corpora cardiaca and corpora allata (at protein level). Detected in larvae and adults. Belongs to the allatostatin family.