The Drosophila larva as a tool to study gut-associated macrophages: PI3K regulates a discrete hemocyte population at the proventriculus

► First comprehensive study of gut-associated macrophages (hemocytes) in Drosophila. ► Gut-hemocytes are functional phagocytes recruited over development. ► Gut-hemocyte population size is regulated by PI3K. ► PI3K correspondingly regulates hemocyte adhesiveness and morphology. ► This regulation by PI3K shows surprising similarity to mouse models of colitis.