The Cantharidinae from NE Atlantic and Mediterranean sea form a monophyletic group that originated approximately 48 Myr ago. The genus Gibbula is polyphyletic and is divided into three major clades and two independent lineages. The genera Clelandella and Callumbonella form a clade that is sister to Jujubinus. We significantly increased the number of species analyzed for Stomatellinae. Diversification of NE Atlantic and Mediterranean Cantharidinae followed the closure of the Tethys Ocean about 14 Myr ago.