Pachyiulus varius is the oldest available name for a group of species which are notoriously difficult to
distinguish. Mauriès et al. (1997) provided a good discussion of the problem and synonymised several
other nominal species under P. varius. Recent studies by Frederiksen et al. (2012) suggest, however,
that there are several species hiding under P. varius sensu Mauriès et al. (1997). We therefore treat
P. apfelbecki, P. flavipes and P. oenologus as separate species, although we realize that additional studies
may yet change the picture. Numerous infraspecific forms have been named within the complex – their
status is largely unresolved.