black beetle
noun1
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see black, beetle.
2
A black scarab beetle, later specifically the African black beetle (Heteronychus arator), a serious pest of grasses in New Zealand.
3
UK The oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis), a large roach from the family Blattidae.
- ‘I'm not afwaid of anything except black-beetles,’ said the Pussum […].1921, DH Lawrence, Women in Love, Vintage, published 2008, page 65:
4
New Zealand A similar roach native to New Zealand, of species Maoriblatta novaeseelandiae (syn. Platyzosteria novaeseelandia); the Māori bug.
› Any of various other species of beetle that…
5
An Asiatic rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros), a pest of palm trees in tropical Asia.
6
A member of the European species Pterostichus nigrita (syn. Feronia nigrita).
- Synonyms
- oriental cockroach, Oriental cockroach, oriental roach, waterbug, Māori bug
- Derived terms
- Darwin's black beetle, African black beetle
- Related terms
- oriental beetle, Blitopertha orientalis