Kingdom Animalia Order Lepidoptera Scientific name Lycaeninae Rank Subfamily | Phylum Arthropoda Superfamily Papilionoidea Higher classification Lycaenidae | |
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Lower classifications Lycaena, Lycaena phlaeas, Scarce copper, Large copper, Phengaris | ||
Lycaeninae, the coppers, are a subfamily of the gossamer-winged butterflies (Lycaenidae).
The relationships of the Lycaenidae are not fully resolved. Sometimes the Polyommatinae and Theclinae are included in the Lycaeninae; in particular the Theclinae tribe Eumaeini contains many similar taxa. Consequently, the delimitation of the Lycaeninae is by no means definitely resolved; many genera await conformation of placement. Regardless, it is today generally considered better to restrict the Lycaeninae to the immediate relatives of the type genus Lycaena, and one or two clades close to that group.
Taxonomy
The Lycaenidae sensu stricto can be divided into two tribes:
A few genera included in the Lycaeninae in the most extensive circumscriptions are now placed in subfamilies as distinct as the Lipteninae or Poritiinae. Finally, there are some genera of uncertain status as regards their systematics and taxonomic validity. They might, if valid, be members of the monophyletic Lycaeninae, but this requires confirmation: