9.GUM DISEASE IN THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO HAWK

Have You ever given much thought to Mosquito Hawks and Mosquitoes?

Well, I have.

And come to think about it, since I was a Little Boy, I have always admired the humble Mosquito Hawk. Especially since I was told that MosquitoHawks eat Mosquitoes. So, if someone would ask You if Mosquito Hawks ate Mosquitoes what would be Your answer?

“WHO CARES!”

Well, that was a very rude answer, and I know it’s easy for You to say. For obviously, You, are immune to Mosquitoes sneaky attacks, or perhaps You live in a Mosquito-Free zone? And, FYI (For Your Information) I live near the Bayous, Swamps, and Marshes in South Louisiana, and believe me we have more than our share of Mosquitoes. As a matter of fact, I have had numerous encounters with those Blood-Sucking-Insects and it’s not just the swelling and itching that I’m concerned with. They also carry some very serious diseases such as: ViralEncephalitis, DengueFever, YellowFever, Malaria RiftValleyFever, and the new emerging ZikaVirus, just to name a few.

So, my question is why wouldn’t anyone Love the humble Mosquito Hawk? They are so graceful and so pretty. To see them coasting threw the air, spreading their fragile little wings, or resting on the end of a twig, fills me with wonder. Which of course brings me back to the question: Do-they-actually-eat-Mosquitoes? I have spent a good bit of quality time admiring Mosquito Hawks and have yet to see one of them devour a Mosquito.

I know they have Big Mouths, but I wondered if they have Teeth?

When I was getting my Post-Doctoral Degree as a Periodontist at the UniversityofNebraska. And FYI (For Your Information!) a Periodontist is a Dental Specialist who treats GumDisease, and some people like to call them “Gum Doctors”. I decided to focus my Research and write my thesis on: GUM DISEASE IN THE AMERICAN MOSQUITO HAWK. And since this was a ScientificStudy, to be politically correct and avoid any confusion, I would be amiss if I didn't acknowledge that some people call Mosquito Hawks, Dragonflies.

Of course, the first question to be answered was: If Mosquitoes were in fact a major part of the Mosquito Hawk's diet, do they eat anything else? I, of course, wondered if they chewed the Mosquito before swallowing, or did they simply swallow the Mosquito whole? My Study would focus on the relationship between the size of the head, the size of the mouth, and the range of articulation in the jaw. And did-they-actually-have-Teeth? And if so, did-they- have-Gums? Which, of course, was to be the major objective of my study. For if they have Gums, they surely must have Gum Disease?

You might wonder where I am going with all of this? Well, I assure You, there is method in my madness! For I have been wondering what I should focus my practice on when I graduate? If my Research confirms my suspicions, I intend to limit my practice to Treating-Gum-Disease-in-The-American-Mosquito-Hawk.

Unfortunately! Both, Dr. Gerald J. Tussing the head of the Periodontal Department and the Dean of the Dental School rejected my request to do Research on Treating Gum Disease in The American Mosquito Hawk. When I asked them why they would not let me do Research on American Mosquito Hawks? They answered me and said it was Un-American and against the policy of The University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, to do Research on American Mosquito Hawks!

They went on to say that all Research at the University of Nebraska must be done on humans. Because in keeping with the policy of the American Humane Society, it is Inhumane to do Research on Animals. And most importantly any Animal Studies, including Research on The American Mosquito Hawk, could not be funded.

Well to tell the truth I was not aware that Mosquito Hawks were Animals. But what the heck! You can't win 'um all.

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