ootheca
noun
oo·the·ca
ˌō-ə-ˈthē-kə 
plural oothecae
ˌō-ə-ˈthē-(ˌ)kē
-(ˌ)sē
: a firm-walled and distinctive egg case (as of a cockroach)
Examples of ootheca in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Observations in the wild Four females were observed in the tree canopy in Trésor Regional Nature Reserve, two of which were guarding an egg case called an ootheca.
—
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The egg case is called the ootheca, and the number of nymphs (baby cockroaches) per ootheca varies depending on the type of cockroach.
—Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, 15 June 2023
Behind the female’s bottomless appetite is the extraordinary size of her egg case, or ootheca, a frothy proteinous mass studded with up to 400 eggs that can amount to half her body weight.
—Natalie Angier, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The egg case is called the ootheca, and the number of nymphs (baby cockroaches) per ootheca varies depending on the type of cockroach.
—Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, 15 June 2023
Behind the female’s bottomless appetite is the extraordinary size of her egg case, or ootheca, a frothy proteinous mass studded with up to 400 eggs that can amount to half her body weight.
—Natalie Angier, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Ootheca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ootheca. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share