Key to the Palaearctic subgenera of the genus Saprinus Erichson, 1834

1 (4) Pre-apical foveae absent.

2 (3) Prosternal process convex between carinal prosternal striae, with very short setae; antennal club with large setose sensory area covering the apical part of club and four slit-like sensory pits on ventral side and two slit-like pits on dorsal side, respectively (Fig. 664). ................................................ subgenus Phaonius Kryzhanovskij, 1976

3 (2) Prosternal process usually flat or slightly convex between procoxae, asetose; dorsal surface of antennal club in most cases without slit-like sensory pits; ventral surface of antennal club in most cases with four large sensory areas (Fig. 9). ...................... ........................................................................................... subgenus Saprinus s. str.

4 (1) Pre-apical foveae present (Fig. 648). ...... subgenus Hemisaprinus Reichardt, 1941