This paper presents a reclassification of the north temperate taxa associated with the genus Staphylinus sensu lato, and comments on relevant subtribes of the tribe Staphylinini. The treatment contains the following: (1) a historical introduction to the past and recent classification of these genera; (2) a discussion of the characters used herein, many of them being unconventional and used for the first time, and many of which are illustrated either by SEM photomicrographs or by line drawings; (3) a key to the north temperate subtribes of the tribe Staphylinini; (4) a discussion of the diagnostic characters of each of the five relevant subtribes (Philonthina, Quediina, Anisolinina, Staphylinina, and Xanthopygina); (5) a key to the north temperate generic- and subgeneric-level taxa associated with the genus Staphylinus sensu lato; (6) type species information and a discussion of diagnostic characters for each taxon at the generic and subgeneric level; (7) a discussion of reasons for taxonomic and nomenclatural steps taken at both generic and specific levels; (8) a checklist of north temperate taxa; and (9) a list of the references mentioned in the discussions in the text (not including those associated with citations of scientific names).

At the subtribal level, Craspedomerina, originally erected by Bernhauer (1911: 88) as Craspedomeri, is placed in synonymy with Philonthina. Triacrina, originally erected as Triacri by Bernhauer (1931: 84), is placed in synonymy with Xanthopygina (both syn. nov.).

At the generic level, new concepts are presented for Staphylinus, Dinothenarus, Parabemus, Ocypus, Matidus, Pseudocypus, Tasgius, and Rayacheila.

New synonymies at the generic level are as follows (synonyms in brackets): Thoracostrongylus Bernhauer, 1915 (= Parontholestes Coiffait, 1982), Platydracus Thomson, 1858 (= Neotasgius J. Müller, 1925), Parabemus Reitter, 1909 (= Parocypus Bernhauer, 1915; Hypabemus Scheerpeltz, 1966), Ocypus Leach, 1819 (= Goerius Westwood, 1827; Xanthocypus J. Müller, 1925), Pseudocypus Mulsant and Rey, 1876 (= Protocypus J. Müller, 1923; Nudabemus Coiffait, 1982), Agelosus Sharp, 1874 (= Apecholinus