| Aphaeninae | |
|---|---|
| Flatolystra verrucosa | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Subclass: | Pterygota |
| Infraclass: | Neoptera |
| Superorder: | Exopterygota/Paraneoptera |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Fulgoromorpha |
| Family: | Fulgoridae |
| Subfamily: | Aphaeninae Blanchard, 1847 |
| Genera | |
|
Several, see text |
|
The subfamily Aphaeninae is a group of hemipteran insects, especially abundant and diverse in the tropics. They belong to the Fulgoridae, though they are not among the more well-known members of that family called "lanternbugs" or "lantern flies" (true bugs are only distantly related to true flies).
Aphaeninae contain numerous well-sized Fulgoromorpha (formerly included in the "Auchenorrhyncha" which appear to be paraphyletic). If seen flying at a distance, they can be mistaken for Lepidoptera, as they are large-winged and though usually not as colorful as some other Fulgoridae still are often boldly patterned.