The main diagnostic characters, taxonomic history and classification of a little-known beetle family, Prionoceridae Lacordaire, 1857 are summarised. A key to the genera is presented. A catalogue of the Chinese species in this group is provided, including literature citations and geographical distribution. New faunistic data are provided for several Chinese species, including new province records for Lobonyx guerryi （Pic, 1920）, Prionocerus bicolor Redtenbacher, 1868, P. coeruleipennis Perry, 1831, ldgia deusta Fairmaire, 1878 and I. flavirostris Pascoe, 1860.
