The subgenus Steropus Dejean of the genus Pterostichus Bonelli (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is redefined. The subgenus includes 24 species occurring in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Eight species previously included in Steropus, P. catalonicus K. Daniel, P. ferreri (Español andMateu), P. galaecianus Lauffer, P. ghilianii (Putzeys), P. globosus (Fabricius), P. insidiatrix (Piochard de la Brûlerie), P. madidus (Fabricius), and P. riffensis (Antoine), are transferred to the subgenus Corax Putzeys (formerly considered as a junior synonym of Steropus) which is recognized as a valid taxon. Refonia Casey, with two North American species, Eosteropus Tschitschérine (type-species: Platysma creperum Tschitschérine, present designation), with four Asiatic species, and Steropinus Lutshnik, with one Asiatic species, are placed in synonymy with Steropus. Adult and larval character states of the subgenus Steropus are described. Larvae of Steropus are synapomorphic with those of P. (Corax) madidus and P. (Feronidius) melas Creutzer in having the mandible strongly curved with wide retinaculum in the first instar and a membranous area on antennomere I.