Synolabus Jekel, traditionally treated as a subgenus of Attelabus Linnaeus is shown to deserve full generic status. It is restricted to North America and it is closely related to other American genera of the Euscelini. Attelabus and Phialodes Roelofs form the tribe Attelabini sensu stricto which is palearctic in distribution. The Attelabini s.s. are together with the Pilolabini the most basal tribes of the Attelabinae. Characters of the mouthparts, the prosternum and the female genitals are illustrated and discussed to substantiate the taxonomic decisions.