Bombus griseocollis is one of the top five most commonly observed bumble bees in Minnesota. New queens (gynes) usually establish a nest on the ground, under leaf litter or plant debris, or infrequently belowground in abandoned rodent burrows or like cavities. Gynes emerge from hibernation in early spring, usually following the emergence of the similar-looking Bombus bimaculatus (two-spotted bumble bee). Workers begin emerging mid-May, males at the end of June, and new gynes at the end of July or early August. 

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This bumble bee species has short, even yellow hairs on the thorax and a distinct central black spot. The first abdominal segment or tergite (T1) has yellow hairs, the second segment or tergite (T2) has rusty-brown hairs forming a semicircle on the base of the tergite. Queens/gynes have a reduced rusty-brown semicircle; some have yellow hairs on T2 instead. These queens/gynes with yellow hairs on T2 can be difficult to tell apart from Bombus vagans. For all castes, the remaining tergites have black hairs. Males have yellow hairs on the vertex (back of the head or "neck") and face; females have black hairs on the vertex and face. Males have large bulging compound eyes.