The 1975 anime amplifies her adventurous spirit, introducing new companions: best friend Willy, a drone bee, and Flip, a wise grasshopper. This Maya is brave, occasionally using her stinger for self-defense or warnings. Her fascination with humans is prominent. She actively helps other insects, rescuing a baby bird and acting as its caregiver. Her personality includes occasional jealousy, especially when Willy's attention shifts to others like Lara or Alexander the mouse.

The 2012 CGI series reimagines Maya with consistent cheerfulness and altruism. Living freely in the meadow, she prioritizes aiding others like Max, Barry, and Shelby. Her friendship with Willy remains central, though the second season shows increased bossiness toward him and more frequent arguments. This adaptation removes her stinger usage and human interest, focusing instead on her role as a conflict mediator and opposition to predators like Thekla the spider. Militaristic elements are toned down, presenting hornets as nuisances.

Starting with the 2014 film, Maya is exiled by antagonist Buzzlina for disrupting order, later invalidated by the Queen. Her journey involves proving innocence in royal jelly theft and exposing Buzzlina's deception. Subsequent films like "The Honey Games" (2018) and "The Golden Orb" (2021) develop her diplomacy, showing her befriend former rivals Violet (a bee) and Sting (a hornet). She also takes on a nurturing role, caring for lost baby ant Smoosh with Willy.

Physically, Maya appears with yellow-and-black stripes, green eyes, and blond hair (ginger in comic books). Core personality traits—curiosity, independence, empathy—persist. Nuances exist: the book and anime highlight her eventual conformity to hive society, while modern CGI iterations emphasize individualism and challenging authority positively. Relationships evolve, with occasional unconfirmed romantic undertones suggested between Maya and Willy.