Heathland, particularly with bare ground, sparse, low vegetation and a continuous supply of pioneer heathland plants. Adults live for a fairly short period, during which time they breed and the female lays her eggs in suitable heathland areas.
Adults depend more on older plants for both roosting sites and nectar.
Found on sandy heaths, this butterfly is on the wing in June, July and August. The ants protect the caterpillars from predators, and in return are fed by the caterpillars with secretions from special glands on their back. As the ants are more commonly found on areas with a high proportion of bell heather, bare ground and short vegetation, these are also the most successful for the butterfly. Destruction of heathland, and poor management of the remnants are to blame for this decline. The Thames Basin Heaths Natural Area, which includes the heaths in the south of Bracknell Forest, as well as those in the west of Surrey, is an important heathland habitat where the Silver-studded blue still exists.