Periplaneta americana
- noun
- /ˌpɛrɪˈplænɪtə əˈmɛrɪkənə/
- Specialized
:
Periplaneta americana
- The Periplaneta americana is commonly known as the American cockroach and can be found in damp environments.
Examples
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The Periplaneta americana is often seen scurrying across kitchen floors in urban areas.
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Scientists often study Periplaneta americana when researching pest control methods.
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Despite its name, Periplaneta americana is now found in many parts of the world.
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Look, a Periplaneta americana!
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There goes a Periplaneta americana.
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Many homeowners are concerned about Periplaneta americana due to its potential to spread disease.
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In tropical climates, the Periplaneta americana thrives in warm and humid conditions.
Synonyms
A large reddish-brown cockroach that often lives in warm, humid places and can fly short distances
Surface Forms
Morphology
Periplaneta + americana
This is a Linnaean binomial: 'Periplaneta' is the genus name for certain cockroaches and 'americana' is a Latinized adjective indicating American origin. The meaning 'American cockroach' is directly derivable from the combination of genus + place-based epithet, so a learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Periplaneta americana is a scientific name for this big roach; the second word americana simply means 'from America', and Periplaneta may come from words meaning 'to wander around', giving an image of a creature moving everywhere. So the name helps you remember a roaming cockroach first linked to America but now found worldwide.
