Phylogenetic analysis of 38 Ips and 7 outgroup species (Orthotomicus spp., Pityogenes spp., Pityokteines sp.) using molecular (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I nucleotide sequence), morphological, and behavioral characters revealed Ips to be polyphyletic. The concinnus group, I. concinnus (Mannerheim) and I. mexicanus (Hopkins), was monophyletic and grouped among the outgroup species. The following character states are synapomorphic for these species: procurved sutures of the antennal club, steep elytral declivity, seminal trough of the male genitalia consisting of a single rod, construction of arcuate egg galleries, and laying of multiple eggs per egg niche. Given monophyly, diagnostic characters, and phylogenetic position, a new genus is described for the concinnus group and I. orientalis Wood & Yin.