The laelapid subfamily Hirstionyssinae is reviewed and rediagnosed. The 5 genera included in the subfamily are diagnosed and keyed: Ancoranyssus, Echinonyssus, Patrinyssus, Thadeua and Trichosurolaelaps. Neoparalaelaps is specifically excluded from the subfamily. Nakhoda , placed in the Laelapinae by authors of that genus, is discussed relative to its hirstionyssine affinities; however, a subfamily placement is not specified herein. The synonymy of Echinonyssus and Hirstionyssus is supported. Redescriptions and reillustrations are presented for Echinonyssus creightoni (Africa), Echinonyssus liberiensis , n. comb. (Africa), Echinonyssus nasutus (type-species), and Echinonyssus palawanensis , n. comb. (Philippines). Four new species are described: Echinonyssus distinctitarsus , n. sp. (Thailand, China: ex Callosciurus spp. and Petaurista spp.); E. harpagonis , n. sp. (Borneo: ex Callosciurus notatus); E. lukoschusi , n. sp. (Czechoslovakia: ex Talpa europea ); and E. umbonatus , n. sp. (Philippines: ex Hylopetes nigripes ).