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Graphical abstract Highlights • Hylophalangopsis chinensis Lin and Huang, 2006 is attributed to Zeuneropterinae. • Hylophalangopsis chinensis Lin and Huang, 2006 is considered transitional species. • The zeuneropterines suggest a warm and humid climate. Abstract In the Dazhuoma stratigraphic section near the Gangni Township, Amdo County, northern Tibet, China, the Paleocene-lower Eocene Niubao Formation yields plenty of well-preserved microfossils and insects. A restudy of Hylophalangopsis chinensis Lin and Huang, 2006, an orthopteran insect from this formation, indicates that it should be attributed to Zeuneropterinae of Stenopelmatidae instead of Prophalangopsidae of Hagloidea in the original study. Some characters preserved in this species are herein considered transitional between Aboilinae (Prophalangopsidae) and Stenopelmatoidea, supporting the deduction that a close relationship exists between Stenopelmatoidea and Aboilinae. The close relationship of Hylophalangopsis with the other zeuneropterines in Canada and Scotland indicates a middle-late Paleocene age for the lower Niubao Formation, supported by some previous studies, and further suggests a warm and humid climate in the Dazhuoma area in the middle-late Paleocene, supported by some important evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]