They are famous for their aposematic (warning) coloration, which signals to potential predators that they are dangerous or unpalatable. The body is predominantly jet black, providing a stark contrast. The legs, antennae, and the edges of the connexivum (the exposed abdominal segments) are vividly marked with bright orange or red. The forewings (hemelytra) are black with a distinctive large, central red-orange spot or blotch.

Large in size, with a body length of 50–75 mm (to the wing tips). The body is brown or green. The top of the head, both sides of the pronotum, and the folded areas of the forewings are yellowish-brown.

Medium-sized, mostly yellowish-brown, with a few in pale green. Antennae extremely long, several times the body length. Vertex blunt and rounded, lacking lateral carinae.

The genus Tenodera comprises large, robust mantises, typically found in shades of green or brown for camouflage.

The Japanese camel cricket, Diestrammena japanica is a species of camel cricket native to Japan. Outside of its native range, specifically in the eastern United States, it is recognized as an invasive species.