Gina
With that large of a robber fly it may have been the giant robber fly genus Promachus. They are predators on bees and wasps.
They have a tiger-striped abdomen and yours does not look that striped but one photo is hard to judge.
Robber Fly Size by: Gina
This picture is life size of the fly. I was able to zoom in to get the actual size of it. It was a pretty large fly and was able to see it before I stepped on with my foot. I would have to say that it was about an inch and a half to two inches long..I have neer before seen one of these and it was pretty scary looking to me.
Robber fly, female by: Moni
Gina
Your photo is of a robber fly like MydLars suggested. And it is a female noted by the long narrow point of the abdomen.
Robber flies are predatory on other insects. The adults lay eggs in soil or plants where the larvae eat other insects and their eggs in decaying matter.
There are many different species of robber flies in many different colors. You did not give size, but your specimen looks like it might be in the genus Machimus. Without more info and probably viewing under a microscope would be needed for positive ID beyond robber fly.
