Asiatic Dayflower and Syrphid Fly

So much to say about this tiny flower, and tiny fly.
Let's start with the flower. It's called an Asiatic Dayflower. Just by the name, we can tell 2 things: it's a non-native, and the flower lasts one day. In the United States, and in many other places around the world, it is considered an invasive weed. In Japan, this flower has been used in dying paper, fabric, and in making woodblock prints. It has also been used in traditional medicines as an anti-inflammatory.
In areas where the ground has been contaminated near copper mines, this plant has been found to be useful in absorbing some of the contaminates from the ground. 'A weed is just a plant that is growing where we don't want it, or that we haven't found a use for yet'
Now, onto the little fly. Yup, it's a fly, not a bee! When a creature looks like another, it's called mimicry. There are many examples of it in nature. This one has a couple of names: Syrphid Fly, or Hover Fly. It is one of the main pollinators of the Asiatic Dayflower. Gardeners like these flies because the larval form feeds on insects, like aphids.
Thanks again, to Joe Dlugo of Wild Bee Photography by JD West, for assistance with the ID. Check out his amazing macro images of bees on his FB page!
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Syrphid Fly pollinating an Asiatic Dayflower



Asiatic Dayflower



Syrphid Fly top view, while pollinating Rudbeckia.