The genusPseudocentroptiloidesJacob is proposed forPseudocentroptilum(?) shadini Kazlauskas (NE‐Europe), the only species of the subgenusPseudocentroptiloidess. str. The subgenusPsammonellaGlazaczow is proposed for a new species from Sri Lanka,Pseudocentroptiloides (Psammonella) ceylonicaGlazaczow. The two subgenera agree in a number of apotypic character states but differ in the presence (Pseudocentroptiloidess.str.) or absence (Psammonella) of hindwings. The authors feel that the latter character is of subordinate importance but has in some cases been over‐emphasised by other authors. There appears to be a general risk that phyletic affinities between members of the Baetidae are obscured by assigning generic status to the most apotypic members of a given mono‐phyletic group.