A. decolor was first described by entomologist Domenico Cyrillo in 1787, and its current classification was established in 1976 by Karl Harz and Alfred Peter Kaltenbach.

A. decolor presents as a small, light brown mantis with females tending to appear larger than their male counterparts.

The mating patterns of A. decolor are considered some of the most complex amongst praying mantises, with males presenting two different styles of courtship.

The tegmina (leathery front wings) for the males extend past the sub-genital plate and feature a narrow white stripe.

[3] A. decolor is also similar to Ameles massai and is differentiated by its longer tegmin, shorter pronotum, and differing genital shape.

[4] When mating, males begin with a pattern of abdominal movements while performing a lateral "boxing" (side-to-side motion) with their prothoracic legs.

It has been theorized that, since mantises observe slow objects as further away, males may engage in "shy" behaviour as a way to avoid predation by the larger females.

When coupling, the male makes a flying leap onto the female's back, engaging in mating movements similar to that seen in Tenodera aridifolia.

[3] Once hatched, A. decolor undergoes an incomplete metamorphosis, beginning with nymph stages which are commonly brachypterous (short winged).

[4] Specifically, A. decolor is native to Albania, Algeria, Greece, Italy (including Sardinia), Libya, Montenegro, Macedonia, Spain, France, Serbia, Sicily, Tunisia, and the Ionian Islands.

[1][3] Estimates by the International Union for Conservation of Nature place the minimum total native range of A. decolor at approximately 870,000 km2 (335909 mi2).