What is "german cockroach"

Croton bug \Cro"ton bug`\ (b[u^]g`). [From the Croton water of New York.] (Zo["o]l.) A small, active, winged species of cockroach ( Ectobia Germanica), the water bug. It is common aboard ships, and in houses in cities, esp. in those with hot-water pipes; -- called also the German cockroach.

Cockroach \Cock"roach\, n. [Sp. cucaracha.] (Zo["o]l.) An orthopterous insect of the genus Blatta, and allied genera.

Note: The species are numerous, especially in hot countries. Those most commonly infesting houses in Europe and North America are Blatta orientalis, a large species often called black beetle, and the Croton bug ( Blatta Germanica, formerly Ectobia Germanica), also called the German cockroach.

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is a small species of cockroach, typically about long. In colour it varies from tan to almost black, and it has two dark, roughly parallel, streaks on the pronotum running anteroposteriorly from behind the head to the base of the wings. Although Blattella germanica has wings, it can barely fly, although it may glide when disturbed. Of the few species of cockroach that are domestic pests, it probably is the most widely troublesome example. It is very closely related to the Asian cockroach, and to the casual observer the two appear nearly identical and may be mistaken for each other. However, the Asian cockroach is attracted to light and can fly rather like a moth, while the German cockroach cannot.