Bombus terricola occurs in northeastern Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities, but is absent in the south and southwest. Rare in Minnesota and across its North American range, the conservation status of this species is S2 (imperiled) because the population has significantly declined. Climate change and pathogens are two primary factors likely leading to its decline. New queens (gynes) begin emerging from hibernation in May then establish a nest belowground in or near woodlands. Workers begin emerging in early June, males in early July, and gynes in mid-August. 

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This is a short-tongued bumble bee with a robust or rotund form. Females have short even hair and males have long hair. Bombus terricola resembles Bombus auricomus and Bombus pensylvanicus. One difference is B. terricola females have a fringe of light hairs on the fifth tergite (T5) and males on T5 and T6, a trait absent for B. auricomus and B. pensylvanicus. Bombus terricola has black hairs on T1, yellow hairs on T2 and T3, and black hairs on T4-T6 (females) and T4-T7 (males), in addition to the fringe of light hairs mentioned above. Both males and females have extensive areas of black hair on the thorax, between the wing bases and extending to the rear of the thorax. Some color variations include light hairs mixed with the black hairs on the rear of the thorax. The head is broader than long and females have dark hairs on the vertex (back of the head or neck) and face, occasionally with a mixture of light hairs; males have light and dark hairs on the vertex and face.