Organisms formerly identified as strains of Paenibacillus pulvifaciens group II were reclassified as members of the species Brevibacillus agri. The reclassification was based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences from selected Bacillaceae. The analysis strongly supported placement of group IT strains in the genus Brevibacillus. High DNA relatedness of 87-100% and close phenotypic similarity demonstrated that group II strains were members of the species Brevibacillus agri.