Plays a role in vesicle-mediated protein trafficking to lysosomal compartments and in membrane docking/fusion reactions of late endosomes/lysosomes probably as part of the class C core vacuole/endosome tethering (CORVET) complex (PubMed:9065698, PubMed:10549280, PubMed:27253064, PubMed:25422373). In larval neuromuscular junctions, essential for endosomal sorting which traffics old or dysfunctional synaptic vesicle proteins through a degradative endolysosomal route (PubMed:25422373). Required for the biogenesis of eye pigment granules (PubMed:10549280). Required to maintain normal levels of rush, which functions in endosome formation and trafficking (PubMed:22160599). Component of the class C core vacuole/endosome tethering (CORVET) complex composed of at least dor/Vps18, Vps16A, Vps8 and car/Vps33A; unlike in other species, Vps11 is not part of the Drosophila complex (PubMed:27253064). Interacts with car (PubMed:10549280). Interacts with ema (PubMed:20194640). Cytoplasmic, peripheral membrane protein associated with late endosomes/lysosomes. Expressed both maternally and zygotically in all stages of development (PubMed:9065698). Highest expression is in third larval instar (PubMed:9065698, PubMed:10549280). Expressed in the larval Garland nephrocytes and in the adult (at protein level) (PubMed:10549280, PubMed:27253064). Flies display impaired deposition of pigment granules (PubMed:9065698, PubMed:10549280). Member of the 'granule group' of eye color genes as mutants affect deposition in pigment granules of two types of pigments, the ommochromes and drosopterins (PubMed:9065698, PubMed:10549280). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in late endosome fragmentation and mislocalization of Vps8 (PubMed:27253064). Belongs to the VPS18 family.