The generic diagnosis forGymnometriocnemusGoetghebuer, 1932 is enlarged and revised and the genus divided into two subgenera,Gymnometriocnemuss. str. andRaphidocladiussubgen. n. with the type speciesGymnometriocnemus (Raphidocladius) acigussp. n. A key to males ofGymnometriocnemusfor the Holarctic region is given. The subgeneric diagnosis for imagines and pupa of the new subgenusRaphidocladiusis presented.Gymnometriocnemus (R.) acigusis described from male, female and pupa and the males ofGymnometriocnemus (Raphidocladius) brumalis(Edwards),Gymnometriocnemus (G.) subnudus(Edwards), andGymnometriocnemus (G.) marionensisSæther are redescribed. The new subgenus is characterized by very long virgal spines in the male, and by a pupa with frontal setae, caudal spines on tergites IV‐VIII, 3 pairs of 0 setae, and hair‐like macrosetae placed on bifid, sclerotized tubercles.