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.

Structure and convention. This review is based largely on the published literature and on information associated with identified specimens mainly in Canadian collections. The arrangement of the species and classification follows that used by Bousquet et al. (2013). We use the term 'adventive species' for those that arrived in Canada from other countries either through natural dispersal or through inadvertent or deliberate human action during the period since initial arrival of European colonists (Wheeler and Hoebeke 2009, 2017). We do not include coverage of native Canadian species transported to new provinces and territories within Canada. We also do not include arrival of native United States species into Canada. Images. Images were taken using an image processing system (Nikon SMZ-U stereo-microscope with a ProgRes 3012 digital camera or Nikon SMZ1500 stereoscopic microscope fitted with a Nikon Digit-like camera DXM1200F) and compiled using Adobe Photoshop software. Distribution. Each species is cited with its currently known distribution in Canada and the USA. Data for distribution maps were extracted from specimens in collections, from literature records and, in a few cases, from authoritatively identified images from the BugGuide website (www.bugguide.net). Geographic coordinates were standardized using NAD83 datum, and maps projected onto a Lambert Conic Conformal using ESRI ArcMap version 10 for Windows.

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