187 

 The presence and number of prosternal punctures varies 



with no correlation to geographic range. The maximum number 



of punctures in males overlaps broadly with the minimum 



number seen in females. In this species, determination of 



the sexes based on this character is not reliable. 



The distinctiveness of the prosternal anterior pinch 

 varies as much from specimen to specimen as from population 

 to population. Boyle (1954) discussed some of these, and 

 other variations in detail. 



The elytral color pattern varies from smoothly banded 

 in North America to jagged, zig-zag edged bands (nearly 

 striped in some specimens) in South America. The pattern 

 changes are clinal from north to south. 



Types . See under subspecies accounts. 



Specimens examined . See under subspecies accounts. 



Distribution . Widespread throughout the Americas: from 

 southeast Canada and North Dakota in the north; south 

 through Arizona, Mexico, Central America, and the Lesser 

 Antilles, into South America to northern Argentina (Fig. 

 113) . 



Etymology . quadripunctatus: Latin = 4-punctures; 

 referring to the 4 pronotal spots. 



Taxonomic notes . Despite the variation in 

 morphological characters stated above, the amount of 

 variation within any one population is similar and overlaps 

 the variation seen in any other population. No consistent 



