Meet the bees

One of the most interesting inhabitants of our world is the bee, an insect that is indigenous to all parts of the globe except the polar regions. The honeybee is a gregarious insect whose habitat is a colony that he shares with as many as 80,000 bees. Although the individual bees live for only a few days, their colony can be operative for several years. A cursory study of the activities of these insects reveals an orderliness and a social structure that is truly amazing.
For example, bees in a particular hive have a distinct odor; therefore, when an interloper seeks access they can identify him quickly and repulse his invasion.

hive

n.

1.

a. A structure for housing domesticated honeybees.

b. A nest built by wild or feral bees.

c. A colony of bees living in such a structure or nest.

2. A place swarming with activity.

v. hived, hiv·ing, hives

v.tr.

1. To collect into a hive.

2. To store (honey) in a hive.

3. To store up; accumulate.

v.intr.

1. To enter and occupy a beehive.

2. To live with many others in close association.

Phrasal Verb:

hive off

To set apart from a group: hived off the department into another division.