New subgeneric division of Chaetonotus is proposed, mostly basing on reconstruction of cuticular covering evolution. The largest subgenus Euchaetonotus Schwank, 1990 is redefined and its name replaced by Chaetonotus s. sir. The subgenera Bifasciculatella Schwank, 1990 and Diversichaetatella Schwank, 1990 are rejected and three new subgenera Primochaetus, Captochaetus and Marinochaetus are established. New or emended diagnoses of all valid subgenera are given.