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A new genus (Saeculumgen. nov.) of South African endemic Asidini is described to accommodate two newly described species (Saeculum zoologicumsp. nov. – type species, and Saeculum merklisp. nov.) and Saeculum tuberosum (Wilke, 1925) comb. nov. (previously treated as incertae sedis within Asidini). A key to the species is provided.

The taxonomic position of Penichrus blapstinoidesChampion, 1885 (type species of PenichrusChampion, 1885) within Tenebrionidae is discussed based on the analysis of both type material and comprehensive internal and external morphology. The species was formerly classified within Opatrini (subfamily Blaptinae); however, this hypothesis is hereby rejected as this species does not share any of the diagnostic characteristics proposed for that tribe. A detailed analysis of other phylogenetically crucial features (including male and female terminalia, defensive glands, antennae, and abdominal ventrites) places Penichrus within Tenebrioninae. However, a more detailed assignment is not currently possible given the present circumscriptions of tenebrionine tribes. The genus is hereby placed as incertae sedis within Tenebrioninae. A morphological analysis and discussion of current tribal concepts is presented, which exposes the weakness of the currently accepted classification system, and highlights a need for extensive comparative morphological studies within Tenebrioninae and related subfamilies. A lectotype for Penichrus blapstinoides is designated. Distolinus impressicollisFairmaire, 1892 is reinstated as a junior synonym of Penichrus blapstinoides. A revised checklist and key to the genera of Opatrini known from mainland North America are provided.

Eremocantor marioni, gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described for an unusual species of stridulating darkling beetle discovered in West Texas, USA. Stridulation in other members of the tribe Edrotini (Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae) is discussed, including Edrotes LeConte and the previously unrecognized sound producing genera Pimeliopsis Champion, Pescennius Champion, Trichiotes Casey, and Oxygonodera Casey. A key to the known stridulating edrotine genera is also provided.

Rhypasma Pascoe, 1862 is transferred from the tribe Stenosini (Pimeliinae) to Belopini (Lagriinae). Caribanosis gen. nov. is described and placed in Stenosini (Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae) to hold Rhypasma quisqueyanus Garrido et Varela, 2011. The following new combination is established: Caribanosis quisqueyanus (Garrido et Varela, 2011), comb. nov. Caribanosis is similar to the South American genus Grammicus Waterhouse, 1845 but differs in having a single central pronotal keel, not two lateral keels as in Grammicus. Both are members of the subtribe Stenosina.

Previously comprised of 12 species, this revision is based on examination of over 4,200 museum specimens of UlusHorn, 1870 collected throughout its range, encompassing North, Central, and South America. Lectotypes are designated for Blapstinus crassusLeConte, 1851, Ulus comatusChampion, 1893, Ulus elongatulusCasey, 1890, Ulus fimbriatusCasey, 1890, Ulus hirsutusChampion, 1885, Ulus maritimusCasey, 1890, and Ulus venezuelensisMarcuzzi, 1954 in order to clearly fix their taxonomic status. This study has revealed three new species: Ulus steineri Lumen & Smith, sp. nov. from Monahans Dunes, TX; U. paniculus Lumen & Smith, sp. nov. from Padre and Corpus Christi islands, TX; and U. guapo Lumen, Crowley, & Smith, sp. nov. from Guaymas, Sonora, MX, while at the same time uncovering variability within many taxa, resulting in seven synonomies: Ulus hirsutusChampion, 1885 (= U. elongatulussyn. nov.; = U. maritimussyn. nov.; = U. comatusChampion, 1893syn. nov.; = U. margaritensissyn. nov.; = U. venezuelensissyn. nov.); and Ulus obliquus (LeConte, 1866) (= U. fimbriatussyn. nov.; = U. latusBlaisdell, 1892syn. nov.). The fossil species Ulus minutusWhickham 1914 is placed as incertae sedis within Tenebrioninae Latreille, 1802, based on a lack of morphological data to confidently place the specimen within the tribe Opatrini Brulle, 1832, let alone the genus Ulus. A total of seven valid species are recognized in this study (U. crassus, U. guapo, U. hirsutus, U. lineatulus, U. obliquus, U. paniculus, U. steineri). Additionally, examination of female terminalia revealed all but two Ulus species (U. lineatulus and U. obliquus) possess sclerotized plates with spines in their bursa copulatrix.

The flightless Cnodalonini genus MitysChampion, 1885 is revised. Lectotypes are designated for Mitys laevisChampion, 1885 and Mitys inflatusChampion, 1885, and the holotype of Mitys opacusChampion, 1885 is imaged. Mitys opacusChampion, 1885 is synonymized with Mitys politus (Breme, 1842). Three additional species are described herein: M. durangoensissp. nov., M. rileyi, sp. nov., and M. sprouseisp. nov. The genus is currently known only from Mexico, and appears to occur primarily in montane habitats based on existing locality records. Generic affinities between Mitys and other Neotropical Cnodalonini genera are discussed, particularly the relationship between Mitys and OxidatesChampion, 1886. A key to the known Mitys species and distribution maps are provided.

Subgenus Caverneleodes of the genus Eleodes is diagnosed and revised. Six new species from the United States: California (E. microps); Utah and Northern Arizona (E. wynnei), Central Arizona (E. wheeleri), Southern New Mexico (E. guadalupensis), and Mexico (E. thomasi and E. grutus) are described. The biogeography of the subgenus is discussed. Diagnoses and a key are provided to known species of Caverneleodes. Relationships with other Eleodes are discussed. Cave associated Amphidorini are surveyed.