The systematic position of the Namibian Oppenheimeria bombophthalma is changed from the African tribe Epitragini to Evaniosomini, previously thought to occur only in arid America. Morphological characters of the tribes Evianosomini and Epitragini are evaluated and the historical biogeography of the former tribe is discussed with reference to the tribe Caenocrypticini. Keywords: Arid faunal elements, Coleoptera, Evaniosomini, historical biogeography, Tenebrionidae.