Report characters as insects (4)
I believe the answer is:
bees
'insects' is the definition.
(bee is a kind of insect)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bees that I've seen before include "spelling contests" , "Hairy-bodied insects" , "Honeymakers" , "Honey producers" , "Buzzers" .)