Operclipygus hospes (Lewis) (Coleoptera, Histeridae): a beetle of potential forensic importance for buried bodies.

Operclipygus hospes (Lewis) is reported as a new record of Histeridae associated with buried bodies in the Neotropical region. It is also suggested that O. hospes has an important role in forensic entomology as a seasonal indicator. To assist in the recognition and the use of this species in forensic entomology, diagnosis and illustrations of the main characters of the genus and species are provided.