What is this wasp-looking creature?

Question

it was black with yellow stripes, and had two appendages that were about an inch long with the same coloration. it seemed to like light. (?)

any suggestions as to what it might be?

Answer 1

Hornet? Hard to identify something without a photo. <>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornet>

Answer 2

looked like a grasshopper/wasp?

its probably a locust

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roye/137558...

this is actually a locust BEETLE but i jusst posted this for the colors

http://www.kerioview.com/sitebuilder/ima...

there are a lot of types that look similar to these and to wasps

the wings are usually tucked, not sticking out like the 2nd

Answer 3

i think it's a velvet ant, belongs to the family of wasp, i saw once in my house:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_ant

see here :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasp