Maya, a honeybee with yellow and black stripes, blonde hair, and green eyes (though comics show ginger hair), possesses a natural curiosity. Born during hive unrest, this curiosity leads her to explore outside despite warnings, resulting in exile—a core element across adaptations.

Her personality blends kindness, intelligence, adventurousness, and strong independence. She values freedom, often helping others like her friend Willy overcome fears or aiding insects such as worms and snails. Later portrayals show increased bossiness toward Willy and occasional jealousy, especially concerning his interactions with Lara or Violet. A defining trait is her willingness to challenge norms, like befriending hornets despite traditional enmity.

Key relationships shape her development. Willy evolves from her "first friend ever" to a close companion marked by conflicts and loyalty tests. Miss Cassandra serves as an initial mentor, while bonds with characters like Flip the grasshopper offer guidance. Rivalries, particularly with the spider Thekla, persist.

Her story involves significant moral choices. In the original, captured by hornets, she overhears their plot to attack the hive. Choosing responsibility over safety, she braves punishment to warn her community, achieving redemption and becoming a teacher. Modern adaptations expand her arc, showing her mediating bee-hornet conflicts or caring for lost young insects.

Physical and cultural adaptations vary. Early anime depicts her threatening stinger use defensively, toned down in family reboots. Cultural dubs sometimes alter her name, such as "Zeina" in Arabic or "Nikko" in Persian.

Her growth spans from rebellious youth to a figure integrated into her community yet retaining individuality. She serves others by navigating complex situations like preventing interspecies wars or challenging hive authoritarianism, consistently resolving conflicts through empathy and defying prejudice.