German cockroach

American  

noun

1. a common yellowish-brown cockroach, Blatta germanica, brought into the U.S. from Europe.

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German cockroach British  

noun

1. Also called (US): Croton bug.  a small cockroach, Blattella germanica: a common household pest

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Etymology

Origin of German cockroach

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Following its evolution, the German cockroach spread from Southeast Asia, hitchhiking around the world in association with humans.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2024

They confirmed that the German cockroach — a species found worldwide — actually originated in southeast Asia, likely evolving from the Asian cockroach around 2,100 years ago.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024

It looks almost identical to the German cockroach, although it has distinctive traits, like an attraction to light, an ability to live outdoors and the power of flight.

From New York Times • May 20, 2024

The expansion began after the German cockroach diverged from B. asahinai about 2100 years ago, probably in India or Myanmar, by adapting to eat human food, Tang says.

From Science Magazine • May 19, 2024

The German cockroach throughout much of North America has become resistant to chlordane, once the favorite weapon of exterminators who have now turned to the organic phosphates.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson