Large, thin, elongated insect, camouflaged in green and/or brown. Abdomen with two rear horns (visible at right, below). Legs long and thin; forelegs modified with multiple spines for grasping prey. Head triangular with two prominent compound eyes, three more simple eyes in the forehead, powerful jaws, and two long, wire-like antennae. Long wings cover the abdomen. Young (nymphs) resemble adults, but are wingless. Largest and most active in summer.

An ambush predator that sits and waits for other insects and spiders to get too close. Preys on both beneficial and harmful insects, including other Chinese mantids. Has been known to eat lizards, frogs and hummingbirds. Preyed on by birds and giant hornets, although it can sometimes turn tables and eat the hornet.

An introduced exotic from Asia, deliberately brought into the country to eat insects and make gardeners happy.

The praying or European mantid (Mantis religiosa) is smaller, but similar; it has black-ringed white spots in its front armpits. The native Carolina mantid (Stagmomantis carolina) is still smaller.