Chlaenius is a large and diverse genus of ground beetle. It is native to the Palearctic realm (including Europe, the Near East, and North Africa), Afrotropical realm, and Nearctic realm. Worldwide, roughly 1,000 species are currently recognized with most known species occurring in the Oriental and Afrotropical regions. The genus is divided into many subgenera.
In Australia, Chlaenius flaviguttatus <small>Macleay</small> is parasitized by a species of mite, Eutarsopolipus chlaenii <small>Katlav & Hajiqanbar, 2021</small> which dwells under the elytra.