Answer:

bees

Answer	Crossword Clue
BEES	"The .... knees" (great)
BEES	Apian group
BEES	Hive hummers

BEES	Honey bunch?
BEES	Some are queens, others workers
BEES	"The .. knees" (great)
BEES	Buzzers
BEES	Critters experiencing colony collapse disorder
BEES	Insects that can spell?
BEES	Nectar collectors
BEES	Cell builders

BEES	Quilting klatsches
BEES	Honey bunch
BEES	Cellblock workers?
BEES	Swarm around a hive
BEES	Apiary residents
BEES	Contests
BEES	Quilters' gatherings
BEES	Queen's subjects

BEES	17-Across's charge
BEES	Industrious fliers
BEES	Work parties
BEES	Spelling contests
BEES	Buzzing swarmers
BEES	Queen's offspring
BEES	Source of Ulee's gold
BEES	Apiphobe's fear

BEES	Some school competitions
BEES	Swarming stingers
BEES	Waggle-dancing insects
BEES	Quilting parties
BEES	Birds' companions
BEES	Birds' partners
BEES	Honeycomb makers
BEES	Sting operators?

BEES	"The ... knees" (great)
BEES	Drones, for example
BEES	Busy buzzers
BEES	Honey producers
BEES	Some drones