Common on damp acid moorland from June to August. The northern subspecies (scotica) has virtually no spots on the underwings, unlike its southern counterpart. They are sedentary and occur where their nectaring plant, cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix), and larval food-plant, hare's-tail cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum), are found. The larvae overwinter.

References: 
Kirkland, P. (2022). Discovering Scotland's Butterflies.
Newland, D.E. (2006). Discover Butterflies in Britain.