Philiris

Also known as Moonbeam

Philiris is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. The species of this genus are found in the Australasian realm (New Guinea, Bismarck Islands, Molucca Islands and eastern Australia,( Queensland)), mostly inhabiting tropical rainforests. Philiris was erected by Julius Röber in 1891. It is a speciose genus. Tite decided on 56 species. Sands added 11 species and placed the taxa into 21 species groups (broadly accepted by Parsons). Most species are in New Guinea. Tite considered Philiris and Candalides Hübner, 1819 to be sisters. Eliot (1973) placed Philiris in Luciini Waterhouse & Lyel