The genus Axarus is widely distributed with records from the Holarctic, the Neotropics and Australasia . There are currently 5 described nearctic species . Erected as a subgenus (Anceus) of Xenochironomus , Axarus was subsequently renamed and elevated to generic status .
The genus Axarus is widely distributed across the Holarctic, Neotropics, and Australasia, encompassing five recognized nearctic species. Initially classified as a subgenus of Xenochironomus (Anceus), Axarus has been reclassified and elevated to its current status.