The genus Cryptochilus is based on C. annulatus Fabr., a Mediterranean species; the pleura has numerous sharp carinae, the propodeum is striate, the antennae are fairly slender, the clypeus rather broadly concave below, the first recurrent vein ends near the tip of the second submarginal cell, the pronotum, seen from side, shows an even curve from behind down to the collar. Some other European species have the pleura less strongly striated. Several of our species agree fairly well in these characters; however there are others that show various differences.