The American copper species Lycaena phlaeas belongs to the genus Lycaena.
Lycaena is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. Members are commonly called coppers because many species have metallic orange or copper-colored markings on the upper wings or undersides.
Lycaena phlaeas is commonly known as the small copper or American copper, depending on regional usage. It has a broad distribution across the Northern Hemisphere and is associated with plants in the sorrel and dock genus Rumex, which its caterpillars use as food.
Lycaenid classification can be confusing because the family contains blues, coppers, hairstreaks, and harvesters. Lycaena is specifically the copper genus, while Polyommatus and Plebejus are mainly associated with blues. Common names also vary between continents.