Syntypes are documented for some species of Pselaphinae found in the Zoological Institute of St. Petersburg and described by V. I. Motschulsky from Panama and the United States: Trichonyx aequinoctialis Motschulsky (now in Anarmodius Raffray), Eupsenius dilatatus Motschulsky, Bryaxis consanguinea Motschulsky (now in Decarthron Brendel), Goniacerus gibbus Motschulsky, Euplectus tropicalis Motschulsky (now in Panaramecia Park), and Bryaxis pruinosa Motschulsky (now in Reichenhachia Leach). Problems with names associated with Arthmius vividus (Motschulsky) and the generic concepts of Circocerus Motschulsky, Upoluna Schaufuss, and Apharus Reitter are resolved. Batrisus vividus Schaufuss and Batrisus rivularis Motschulsky are placed as junior synonyms of Batrisus vividus Motschulsky (new synonymies); the junior homonym Batrisus rivularis Schaufuss (not Motschulsky) is replaced by the available name Oxarthrius escharus Park (new synonymy). Apharus is placed as a junior synonym of Circocerus (new synonymy), and Upoluna is removed from synonymy with Circocerus (new status) to hold Circocerus batrisioides (new combination). Difficulty in separation of Upoluna from the nominate subgenus of Hamotus is discussed.