Appears in the third degree of the American York Rite (but not in most others). It also appears in some additional degrees. Also outside Freemasonry, this symbol usually refers to industriousness.
THE BEE-HIVE
Is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us that, as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves.
Ahiman Rezon. Rituals of Freemasonry by Daniel Sickels (1870)
The German Grand Lodge called “Drie Weltkugeln” (‘three globes’) has it as an emblem of the “Schaffner” (‘conductor’).
Interesting is a tracing board which can be found in Feddersen (E/80) which is a first degree tracing board from Harleston (year unknown) in which the beehive seems to take the place of the temple(gate).
Top: Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor (1866) by Malcolm C. Duncan
Middle: general officer emblem
Bottom: Feddersen (Die Arbeitstafel in der Freimaurerei Band I (1982) E/80a, P. 228) names as designer Ulrich Neuendorff, but does not mention a year.