By Cestrian
County Durham,
United Kingdom 
Can anyone identify this insect please,discovered it basking on back fence.
2 Oct, 2010
Answers
It's a bit hard to say, but red tailed bumble bee seems likeliest.
2 Oct, 2010
Thank you both.
2 Oct, 2010
It is a red tailed bumblebee. Lovely creatures.
2 Oct, 2010
Bumblebees have to be one of my favourite garden visitors.
2 Oct, 2010
I wonder why that is Alex :-)......Lol
Lovely insect indeed.
2 Oct, 2010
from the hairy legs it seems to me it may be some kind of bee - but I'm no expert
2 Oct, 2010