Dark green, orange-red antennal scales with black outer edges, black and brown honeycomb pattern with white edges on the anterior edge of the cephalothorax, and reddish coloration of the three pairs of thoracic legs and predatory claws. This is the most colorful of all mayflies and is highly sought after in the aquarium trade because of its coloration and large size. In addition to its bright body coloration, it differs from Odontodactylus japonicus in having only 2-3 teeth on the inner edge of the knuckle of the predator claw, whereas Odontodactylus japonicus has more than 5 denticles; and differs from Odontodactylus cultrifer in the central part of the caudal peduncle. Odontodactylus cultrifer in that the central ridge on the caudal peduncle is low and thin.