Tylecodon cacalioides and its favourite fly

The Tylecodon cacalioides flowering plant contrasts brightly in January against the drab vegetation colours challenged by hot summer drought.

The horsefly and the flower are both citizens confined to the Little Karoo. They are more than acquaintances, having co-evolved to satisfy each other’s needs in a pollination pact; one of the United Species achievements of nature. As long as these flowers provide food, the fly will transport pollen among them. 

Horseflies of the Tabanidae family occur worldwide, pestering horses, people and other targets for bloodsucking (performed by their females) wherever they can (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; R. Gess (Sep. 2001): Tylecodon cacalioides and a long-proboscid horse-fly. Veld & Flora; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist; Wikipedia).