Lkr^GAL4::VP16 homozygous and heterozygous mutant adults survive significantly longer under starvation or desiccation stress, compared to controls; they have significantly reduced locomotor activity and metabolic rate (carbon dioxide consumption), compared to controls; they have significantly reduced long-term, but not short-term food intake, compared to controls, with a stronger effect in homozygotes; Lkr^GAL4::VP16 homozygous adults have significantly increased cell body size in the abdominal LK neurons; homozygotes, but not heterozygotes, have increased proboscis extensions in response to sucrose, compared to controls.