Please Help Identify This Insect!

Question

While I was wiping out a few paper wasp nests on my porch, a GIANT, black flying insect came up to me. It seemed as if it were large enough to have to be in the wasp or insect family, but it's flying pattern was more of a beetle's or moth's, bumping into floors and walls. It was black, hard solid exoskeleton, winged, long body(perhaps tri-sectioned) of about 1 1/2 - 2 inches. I live on Long Island, NY. Anybody have any guesses, or links to images of possible candidates? I would love to find out what it was and do some research!! Thanks.

Answer 1

it sounds like a very big beetle

Answer 2

--- You may be thinking of the Black Scavenger Fly. I placed a link/url for a site with photos of the black scavenger fly which looks like a large flying ant. I don't think they get that big though.

--- Possibly a reproductive female carpentor ant? They have wings and fly away from the nest ?

--- Possibly a Mydas fly? These large, common Akansas flies mimic spider wasps and have been seen in NY state.

Answer 3

Perhaps The Great Black Wasp. Google for pictures. whatsthatbug.com is a great site for bug identification too.