The pronotum is long and the front legs are raptorial for grasping prey. Mantids range from 15 mm to 16 cm long. Many species are camouflaged to resemble foliage, dry sticks, stems or bark, although a few species are brilliantly coloured like the flowers they inhabitat. The wings are fully developed, reduced or absent. The front wings, if present, are leathery.
Mantids have chewing mouthparts.
The lower part of the head is prolonged into a snout with the chewing mouthparts at the end. The wings are long, narrow and membranous and both pairs are similar in size, shape and venation. There is one wingless genus found in Canada. Structure of male genitalia in certain families is bulbous and recurved resembling a scorpion. Megloptera are large, soft-bodied insects.