Revision of the species complex related to <i>Ochodaeus cornifrons</i> Solsky, 1876, with the description of a new subgenus and two new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ochodaeidae)

The species complex related to <i>Ochodaeus cornifrons</i> Solsky, 1876 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Ochodaeidae) is revised, and a new subgenus, <i>Diplochodaeus</i> <b>n. subgen.</b>, is proposed to accommodate its representatives. A lectotype is designated for <i>Ochodaeus alleonis</i> Fairmaire, 1884. The study of this latter species, previously synonymized with <i>O. cornifrons</i>, leads us to reinstate it as valid species. <i>Ochodaeus inscutellaris</i> Pic, 1900 and <i>O. graecus</i> Petrovitz, 1968, respectively described from the West Bank (Levant) and Greece, are placed into synonymy with <i>O. alleonis</i> Fairmaire, 1884. Two new species, <i>Ochodaeus petrovitzi</i> <b>n. sp.</b>, and <i>O. montreuili</i> <b>n. sp.</b>, respectively from Iraq and Iran, are described and illustrated. Distribution maps and an identification key are provided.