Arabicnemis caerulea gen. n., sp. n. is described from the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of South Yemen. The new genus differs from others in the Platycnemididae in wing venation and appears to be related to the African genera Metacnemis and Mesocnemis. Attention is drawn to alternative views on the relationship of these genera to the Old World Argiinae and the need for reassessment.