[3] Because of its size and furry appearance, the species has been described as "flying mice" colloquially, and "a monstrous fluffy ginger beast" by British ecologist David Goulson.

B. dahlbomii has relatively short antennae and a distinct forewing and smaller hindwing that are usually tucked in above the main thorax area (they lie almost flat).

[8] Like many other species in the genus Bombus, the B. dahlbomii colony cycle begins with the production of the egg cell structure inside the underground cavity.

This egg cell structure is constructed from a mixture of pollen and wax that the queen forages from the outside environment and brings to the nest site.

[11] After a couple of months, in early summer or late spring, this initial brood produces the first B. dahlbomii workers that take over foraging responsibilities from the queen.

[8] Scientific research indicates that most bees cannot see the color red, as their photoreceptors are more sensitive to short (UV, blue, green) rather than long wavelengths of light.

Although B. dahlbomii distinguishes colors in much the same way as other bees, it frequently visits certain species of red flowers, such as Crinodendron hookerianum, Lapageria rosea, Asteranthera ovata and Embothrium coccineum, that are common in South American temperate forests.

[2] Research on the B. dahlbomii L-receptor receptor system has forced experts to partially change the ways they think about bumblebee light/color sensitivity.

[2] B. dahlbomii forages both nectar and pollen from a wide variety of plants, including Lapageria rosea, Alstroemeria aurea, Eucryphia cordifolia, Crinodendron hookerianum and Embothrium coccineum.

[5] Short distance foraging patterns arise in continuous, resource rich situations where workers can gather the necessary nectar from plants that exist close to the nest site.

[14] Researchers attribute this slower foraging behavior to B. dahlbomii's bigger size and heavier body, which partially precludes it from fast movements.

[8] B. terrestris and B. ruderatus were introduced into Patagonia for commercial purposes 30 years ago in order to increase the seed and fruit yields of cultivated crops in orchards and farms.

The southward spread of these alien species at rates of up to 200 kilometers per year mirrors the simultaneous retraction and decline of B. dahlbomii populations.

Research indicates that A. bombi did not exist in any South American regions prior to the introduction of commercial B. terrestris populations in Chile in the early 1980s.

[15] If active workers or queens exist, A. bombi leads to a plethora of physiological and behavioral effects that prevent essential actions such as foraging.

[13] The fact that such marked similarities exists illustrates how A. aureorufa morphology must have evolved rapidly, as B. dahlbomii speciation only occurred approximately 7.5 million years ago.

[5][6] In certain ecosystems, specifically the Maulino forest area of Chile, B. dahlbomii plays an extremely important role in ensuring that fragmented plant populations get pollinated.

[5] In general, B. dahlbomii has been shown to be a much more efficient pollinator than species of other tribes (Apis; Apini), families (Chalepogenus; Anthoporidea) and orders.