Abstract The taxonomic status of the 138 species of Acontiinae are reviewed and assigned to seven genera, Ponometia Herrich-Schaffer, Tarache Hubner, Acontia Ochsenheimer, Eusceptis Hubner, Pseudalypia H. Edwards, Spragueia Grote, and Trogotorna Hampson. A key to the genera, diagnoses of the genera, species groups of Tarache, illustrations of adults and genitalia of representatives of the seven genera, and a check list of the New World species are included.