Fly pollinator on Asteraceae

Many kinds of short-tongued flies, including hoverflies are significant contributors to pollination of Asteraceae flowers. The often open, accessible florets of Asteraceae are easy for them to reach. Flies respond to strong scents, and not only to the foul smells of carrion flowers.

Where bees are scarce or absent, several types of flies may perform flower duties. Bees may be less active in cool, cloudy or windy conditions, and at high altitudes, leaving opportunities for flies to contribute more, even be primary pollinators.

The fly in picture is probably in the Muscidae family to which the housefly also belongs. Such flies are often seen on Senecio, Helichrysum and Eriocephalus flowers in the Western Cape during summer (https://gna.it.com; https://neweraagriculture.com; https://ww2.caes.ukzn.ac.za).