The European praying mantis is green, tan or dark brown in colour. Brown hues are more variable. The wings extend past the end of their abdomen. Nymphs have small wing buds in later instars and resemble a smaller wingless version of the adults. Mantids are unmistakable, with their characteristic forearms and triangular heads. Males and females can fly, but females soon become too heavy to take off as their eggs develop. On the inside of the upper forearm there is a black spot. This black spot can have a smaller white spot within it or it can just be solid black.