Bombus griseocollis is one of the top four most commonly observed bumble bees in Minnesota. New queens (gynes) either establish a nest on the ground, under leaf litter or plant debris, or belowground in abandoned rodent burrows or like cavities. Gynes emerge from hibernation in early spring, usually following the emergence of the similar-looking species, Bombus bimaculatus (two-spotted bumble bee). Males and workers are abundant in early summer, and males and new gynes begin mating at the end of June/early July. 

​

The thorax has short, even yellow hairs with a distinct central black spot. The first abdominal segment or tergite (T1) has yellow hairs, the second segment or tergite (T2) has a rusty-brown semicircle marking. 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.