Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague. The bacteria that causes the bubonic plague is called Yersinia pestis. This bacteria also causes the other two forms of plague: septicemic plague and pneumonic plague (see Types of Plague).ithin two to six days of exposure to the bacteria that causes the bubonic plague, symptoms may develop, such as: 1  Headache. 2  Chills. 3  Fever. 4  Weakness. 5  Swollen, tender lymph glands (called buboes, hence the name bubonic).