Adhesive protein and relates to hemostasis or encapsulation of foreign substances for self-defense. Expressed in hemocytes during larval-pupal metamorphosis. Hemagglutination activity is increased by bacterial or viral infection and inhibited by D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-maltose. May be converted into the 260 kDa mature hemocytin by proteolysis.