The genus Brachypelma was erected in 1891 by the French arachnologist Eugène Simon (April 30, 1848 - November 17, 1924) to house the species Brachypelma emilia (untill this time the spider was described as Mygale emilia.) From there on there was a lot of confusion on wether or not the genus was valid. Pocock expanded the genus Brachypelma in 1903 with 4 species that he transferred from the genus Eurypelma: B. albiceps, B. pallidum, B. smithi and B. vagans. At present the genus Brachypelma includes 21 species from Mexico and Central America.