Carabodes coriaceus Koch, 1836 and C. arduinii Valle, 1955 are fully redescribed from typical and topotypical materials. Scanning electron microscopy is CARABODES used to determine hitherto unknown morphological details and intra- and interspecific variability. Analysis of many European and north African populations led to exact recognition of the diagnostic character-states of the two species and identification of their biogeographical ranges and ecological requirements.