The lutescens group of Edwards is removed from the subgenus Toxorhynchites and given subgeneric rank. Four subgenera are now recognized within the genus Toxorhynchites: Ankylorhynchus and Lynchiella, Neotropical; Toxorhynchites, Gondwanian, represented in the Afrotropical Region by the brevipalpis group of Edwards; and Afrorhynchus subgen. nov., purely Afrotropical. The new taxon, typified by Toxorhynchites lutescens, is described and a key to all four subgenera is provided.