Native to Euorope. A single specimen captured by Tim Moyer in New Jersey (2010) and posted here on BugGuide is tentatively the first North American record of "Elaphropus quadrisignatus" as identified by Peter W. Messer (2010) and tentatively supported by Yves Bousquet (2012). See my earlier post below. Having recently sent this specimen to Bousquet for his opinion, I got this reply:

"The Elaphropus quadrisignatus matches the three specimens we have of that species from Europe. However, there are some North American species of Elaphropus which also have spots on the elytra although, as far as I know, not that contrasting. Since you have only one specimen I cannot commit myself and positively say that your specimen is E. quadrisignatus. It would be nice to have more specimens."

In my opinion, I feel it is reasonable to assign the above species name to this specimen with the hope of getting feedback from other experts who might be searching "Elaphropus quadrisignatus".

Tim, your amazing find could be the European species or an unreported new Elaphropus in North America. Please be aware of other such specimens in your area. Thank you!

Addendum 6/27/12: one of the links below is broken so here is another to see E. quadrisignatus.

is tentatively the only species determination that makes sense to me. While distinctively "Elaphropus", this examined specimen did not fit well any of the North America species in my reference collection. Problem is I am not aware of any reports of Palaearctic E. quadrisignatus (Europe mainly) in North America! When North American keys failed me, I had resorted to the British literature. See images of Elaphropus quadrisignatus here and here. The distinctive two yellow spots (better seen under my scope) on each elytron occur also in E. vernicatus but that species has only two impressed striae on each elytron. Supporting features are the four well-impressed and punctured striae on each elytron, first three or four antennomeres pale, first elytral stria reaches parascutellar setigerous puncture, and unlike North American species, the recurrent stria at each elytral apex is more curved and ending in a distinctive hook as shown in all images. I also had the feeling that this specimen was not as convex as most other Elaphropus and the elytra are proportionately longer compared to the forebody.

Tim, I will need to discuss this unusual specimen with other experts. The extreme unexpectedness in this case does make me think that I might be changing species determination to something else. Stay tuned. Thanks Tim for the diagnostic challenge and for depositing this specimen with me.