The phylogeny of the ichneumonid parasitoid wasp subfamily Ateleutinae is investigated based on molecular data from five genes. A total of 36 species are included in the ingroup. Maximum likelihood analyses recovered a strongly supported monophyletic clade circumscribing the subfamily Ateleutinae. Five main clades were recovered in the subfamily, but relationships between these clades were mostly poorly supported. A new genus is identified and described: Duwalia Santos gen. nov. from Australia, which corresponds to the earliest known diverging lineage of Ateleutinae. Duwalia perula Santos sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The genus Ateleute is shown to be paraphyletic with respect to Tamaulipeca, but further studies with more intense sampling of the Neotropical fauna are needed in order to provide a comprehensive classification of the genera within this subfamily. Ateleute boitata Santos sp. nov., a morphologically aberrant species from South America, is described to highlight the morphological diversity in the genus. All Old World species of Ateleute are recovered in a single clade. Ateleute grossa is newly recorded as a parasitoid of Oiketicus kirbyi (Lepidoptera: Psychidae). Diagnoses and identification keys to the genera of Ateleutinae are provided.