[1] European Phratora species can be distinguished based on morphology of female genitalia.,[2] but they differ little in size and body form and most show metallic coloration.

[3] Phratora species are found in the Northern Hemisphere in areas that tend to be cool and moist where their host plants thrive.

[8][1] Species in this genus are of considerable interest to evolutionary ecology researchers because they vary with respect to host plant preference and chemistry of their larval defensive secretions.

[8][9] Predators of Phratora eggs include A. nemorum, Orthotylus marginalisand the syrphid fly Parasyrphus nigritarsis.

The mechanism of larval defensive secretion production, its relationship to host plant preference, and its evolutionary significance has been studied.