A study of all available specimens of E. quinquelineata Börner, 1901 from different museums and private collections, revealed that more than one species was involved. We reached this conclusion by using conventional taxonomical characters and patterns of macrochaetotaxy. We redescribe here the specimens most probably identical to Börner's original material, and describe three new species, one from Spain, one from Morocco and one from England. As with other species of Entomobrya, identification of any specimen belonging to this genus should not be made using only the colour pattern.