The Mediterranean orthotyline genus Platycranus is revised. Updated diagnoses and descriptions, data on distribution and hosts are provided for the genus and included species, and a key is presented to facilitate identification of species. Pictures of the dorsal habitus, scanning electron micrographs, and figures of genital structures are given. The following new syn-onymies are established: P. putoni Reuter, 1879= P. eckerleini Wagner, 1962= P. jordanicus Linnavuori, 1984; P. metri-orrhynchus Reuter 1883= P. longicornis Wagner, 1955= P. rumelicus Simov, 2006; P. remanei Wagner, 1955= P. minutus Wagner, 1955= P. orientalis Linnavuori, 1965= P. jurineae Putshkov, 1985= P. boreae Gogala, 2002. P. erberi Fieber, 1870 is for the first time reported from Syria, and P. remanei is reported as new to Portugal.