Bombus fervidus occurs throughout much of Minnesota except for the northeast. However, it is generally uncommon throughout much of its range. Beginning in mid-May, new queens (gynes) typically establish a nest aboveground in abandoned mouse nests in grassland habitats such as prairies, savannas, and open woodlands. Less often, this species nests belowground. Gynes may also select sites in fields, roadsides, and similar sunny habitat providing long grass. 

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Bombus fervidus is a long-tongued bumble bee with a long face and malar space that is longer than broad. Males and females have even medium-length light yellow to yellow hairs on the thorax with black hairs between the wing bases (females and males). For males, the first through fifth abdominal segments or tergites (T1-T5) with yellow hairs, the fifth through seventh tergites (T5-T7) with black hairs. For females, the first through fourth abdominal segments or tergites (T1-T4) with yellow hairs, the fifth and sixth (T5 and T6) with black hairs. Both males and females have black hairs on the vertex (back of the head or "neck") and face. Bombus fervidus closely resembles Bombus borealis but has a narrower black band between the wings; black hairs on the vertex versus yellow for B. borealis; and yellow hairs on the side of the thorax versus extensive black hairs for B. borealis (females).

female