American cockroach

noun

1. a large, reddish-brown cockroach, Periplaneta americana, found originally in the southern U.S. but now widely distributed.

Example Sentences

To complete their life cycles, they must first sting an American cockroach, and inject the much larger insect with mind-control toxins that turn it into a defenseless zombie.

From New York Times

American cockroaches, another outdoor species, prefer a warmer, moist environment.

From Seattle Times

On the other hand, an American cockroach can live 1-2 years, he said.

From Salon

Like many parasitoid species, the emerald jewel wasp is a specialist with only one option for a host—in this case, the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana.

From Scientific American

The real-life American cockroach can squeeze through a crack the height of two stacked pennies and resist crushing forces up to 900 times its body weight.

From Scientific American