D. desiccata takes its
common name from its resemblance to dead,
leafy
vegetation including having a flattened, greatly extended
thorax and "intricate leaf patterns" on its wings. This insect varies in color from mottled brown through "pale orangey brown" to a very dark brown that is almost black. This creature's
camouflage is aided by its movements as well as its appearance. When disturbed, it rocks gently as if caught in the breeze. When threatened, it typically falls to the ground and lies motionless. It can also react with a threatening display consisting of "black underwings splayed out, with large
eyespots, frightening away unsuspecting
predators." The intricate lines on the mantis' body, which serve to look like the natural veins on a leaf, as well as its dark brown colors, are beneficial to the species as it has been shown to avoid the attention of aerial predators or other insects. As its common name indicates,
D. desiccata is larger than other species of
dead leaf mantis. Females grow to 75–80 mm long. Displaying the
sexual dimorphism typical of mantises, males grow only 65–70 mm long and are substantially smaller and lighter than females. Females'
prothorax shields end in a sharp pointed curve on each side while the males have a rounder shape. According to one source, males tend to be more "yellowish" than the darker females. Deroplatys desiccata MHNT CUT 2014 14 7.jpg|Male prepared in the
Beauchene technique ==Range==