The distribution, habitats and host plants of Chaetocnema species of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus are provided on the basis of available literature, collections, and the author’s original data. Special attention is given to the ecology and biogeography of species. Existing classifications of ranges are discussed and used in descriptions of zonal Chaetocnema communities. Possible ecological events in the history of Chaetocnema on the Russian Plain are discussed.