Great hives (synonyms: anthills, bee hives, insect lairs; example toponyms: The Nest) are locations where giant insects, insectoid species, or highly communal species may live. They are frequently locations found in both fantasy and space opera worlds. Great hives may be above ground nests, or complex subterranean networks, or underground cities. They may be inhabited by mindless drones, or homes to advanced alien lifeforms. They may contain queen chambers, waste chambers, chambers of the dead, larval nurseries, egg chambers, and more.

Great hives are generally modeled after the complex nests made by Earth’s social insects. When designing these spaces consider the structures created by bees, wasps, termites, and ants.