Local in reed-beds, marshes, river-banks, fens and gardens throughout much of south-east England, discontinuously north to Lancashire and north-west Wales. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight present in most reed-beds, especially on the coast. Wingspan 27-33 mm. The main confusion species is
White-mantled Wainscot A. neurica, but
A. dissoluta has small black central spot on the underside of both hindwing and forewing, absent in
A. neurica. Larva feeds on Common Reed, over-wintering as an egg and pupating low down in the stem of the foodplant, head downwards.