All walkingsticks in the U. S. are wingless, except one south Florida species. They are very slow moving and appear very similar to twigs. This mimicry undoubtedly has protective value, as do the pair of thoracic glands that emit a foul-smelling substance. The adults are about 3 inches long and, while motionless, closely resemble the twigs and petioles of the host tree. The legs are all rather similar in appearance.
Body color varies but is usually grey, brown, or green.
They may be uniform in color, mottled, or multicolored. They feed upon the foliage. They are seldom numerous enough to severely damage ornamentals and shade trees. Such outbreaks are more common in the Lake States than in the Northeast. Branch mortality may occur in stands defoliated several years in a row.