Involved in the regulation of the larval diapause. Expressed in head neurons and the uterus. Expressed during larval and adult stages with the highest expression during the L2 stage of larval development (PubMed:14730154). Expressed in head neurons at pre-dauer, dauer and post-dauer larval stages (PubMed:23132577). During the dauer stage, also expressed in tail neurons, amphid neurons, the ventral nerve cord and AVG interneurons (PubMed:23132577). 33% reduction in the larval diapause in the presence of dauer pheromone compared to wild-type. Belongs to the insulin family.