[1] A bumblebee with a long proboscis (tongue) and a short, dense fur, the females (queens and workers) have an entirely black head, while the face and top of the head of the male are yellow.

[2] The thorax is yellow, sometimes with a hairless, black spot in the middle.

The three first terga (abdominal segments) are yellow, while the rest of the abdomen is black.

[1] Genetic and morphological evidence supports them as separate species.

Food plants include milkvetches, thistles, melilots, bergamot, penstemons, phacelias, salvias, betony, and clovers.