Scarab beetles. Very diverse group, but only one species group of Aphodius associated with moist habitats. Aphodius alternatus Horn (pictured), has been found on emergent vegetation in vernal pools in California. Adults feed on drowned insects or dead amphibians as the pools dry out. Adult antennae with 3- to 5-segmented club, antennal segments tomentose (furry); protibiae modified for digging; 6 abdominal sternites.

Larvae presumably occur in the soil along the pool margin or in the basin after the pools dry out. Larvae lightly colored; c-shaped, cylindrical and grub-like; legs 4-segmented.