Looks like a type of Robber fly called a Bee Hunter. Very much a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. Could be why you haven't seen a lot of the good guys buzzing around.

It's in the same insect order as flies are and not a bee, at all.

Tell your Florida forum pals.

Rhizo's right...it's a Robber Fly. They're insect predators and even eat other Robber flies.

Best way to distinguish flies from bees and wasps are the antennae, mouth parts and eyes. Flies usually have short club-like antennae, a proboscis for a mouth, and large hemishperes for eyes that almost always meet at the top of the head. Bees and wasps have longer segmented anntenae, jaw-like mouth parts and their eyes rarely meet at the top of the head.

Here is a link that might be useful: Robber Fly

Dang, here I've been rescueing them from the porch for about a month now thinking they were bees and they turn out to be giant flies. Could they be the reason I haven't seen many butterflies in my garden this year? Thanks for the info.

Kara

Is robber fly harmless? I've been beaten by bees before and its so itchy and painful.

Yes, they're harmless. Can they bite? Yes, they have a dagger-like proboscis used to inject insects with neurotoxins through their saliva. Will they bite you? Not likely unless they're provoked.

Beaten by bees? You must be a very diminutive person. :^)