1. blatta, ae, f., an insect that shuns the light; of several kinds, the cockroach, chafer, moth, etc., Plin. 29, 6, 39, § 139; 11, 28, 34, § 99: lucifuga, Verg. G. 4, 243 (per noctem vagans, Serv.); cf. Col. 9, 7, 5; Pall. 1, 37, 4; Hor. S. 2, 3, 119; Mart. 14, 37; cf. Voss, Verg. l. l.
On account of its mean appearance: amore cecidi tamquam blatta in pelvim, Laber. ap. Non. p. 543, 27.