"A cockroach species commonly called a “palmetto bug” is the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). Adult American cockroaches are large and winged. Their coloration is dark brown with a cream-colored prothorax that has dark markings that resemble sunglasses. American cockroaches prefer damp conditions and often are found in sewers, woodpiles and mulch. They will fly to lights. This particular behavior is disconcerting[NO KIDDING!!] for homeowners who encounter a large roach that flies near their face when entering doors with lights nearby in the evening."
Or, as I said as a young child when confronted with the nasty thing (3"? 3'?) that suddenly launched itself at me, "#@@%^%%&*$!! It FLIES?!?!?!?!?!" It was the ultimate insult!
Ran into some sort of critter in Ca one night sitting around a fire in the Cuyamaca mts, They were like june bugs the size of a golfball or bigger, damn things kept kamikazing in on the fire, would bip you in the head. Never seen anything like it since.