---
title: "American Cockroach vs Periodical Cicada: Who Would Win?"
description: "Who would win, American Cockroach or Periodical Cicada? Too close to call: our 3-round simulation gives 51% to 49%."
image: "https://animaltracks.wiki/icon-512.png"
---

# American Cockroach vs Periodical Cicada: Who Would Win?

American Cockroach vs Periodical Cicada is too close to call. Our 3-round simulation gives American Cockroach a 51% chance and Periodical Cicada 49%, which is not enough for either to claim the win.

The simulation puts both animals on neutral ground. In the wild, terrain, the size of the individual animals and plain luck would all change the result.

## Verdict: Too close to call
- **Win probability**: American Cockroach 51%, Periodical Cicada 49%
- **Decisive weapon**: Evenly Matched Evolutionary Countermeasures

### Round 1: Opening Clash & Speed

American Cockroach seizes the opening initiative with superior agility (35 vs 37), circling Periodical Cicada and striking from an advantageous flank.

### Round 2: Clash of Superpowers

An earth-shattering clash as American Cockroach's "Switches from six-legged to four-legged and two-legged running at up to 50 body lengths per second" crashes directly into Periodical Cicada's "Emerges from underground with its whole brood, once every 17 years", sending shockwaves through the arena.

### Round 3: Final Resolution

After three grueling rounds, neither creature can establish a decisive edge. Both combatants retreat to neutral ground with full mutual respect.

## Fighter 1: American Cockroach (*Periplaneta americana*)
- **Superpower**: Switches from six-legged to four-legged and two-legged running at up to 50 body lengths per second
- **Danger Level**: Low
- **Conservation Status**: Not Evaluated
- **Habitat**: Mainly basements, sewers, steam tunnels and drainage systems, worldwide
- **Musical Match**: Hella (Math Rock & Instrumental Virtuoso)
- **Full Dossier**: [Read American Cockroach Profile](https://animaltracks.wiki/animals/american-cockroach/)

## Fighter 2: Periodical Cicada (*Magicicada septendecim*)
- **Superpower**: Emerges from underground with its whole brood, once every 17 years
- **Danger Level**: Low
- **Conservation Status**: Near Threatened
- **Habitat**: Deciduous forests of the eastern United States
- **Musical Match**: Glenn Branca (Industrial Noise & Avant-Garde Experimental)
- **Full Dossier**: [Read Periodical Cicada Profile](https://animaltracks.wiki/animals/periodical-cicada/)

## Biological Matchup Context
When contrasting American Cockroach against Periodical Cicada, tactical victory depends on physiological engagement range, strike speed, armor density, and chemical or physical defense mechanisms:
- **American Cockroach**: A cockroach that switches to running on four legs, and on two, at up to 50 body lengths per second.
- **Periodical Cicada**: 17 years underground, then a few remarkably loud weeks

Pick your own matchup in the interactive arena: [Battle Arena](https://animaltracks.wiki/compare/american-cockroach-vs-periodical-cicada/)

> The Battle Arena is an algorithmic thought experiment for education and entertainment. Never provoke, fight, or disturb animals in the wild.

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