LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Brown cools off by skinny-dipping in the pond on his property. Naturalist Hugh Brown, 68, a non-scientist, nevertheless contributes to infectious disease research by collecting so-called "kissing" bugs on his property near Lexington. Some of these bugs carry the parasite that causes the deadly Chagas disease. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Brown uses binoculars to keep a detailed list of every bird species on his property. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Hugh Brown sits on his stoop. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Brown walks across a plank bridge over a dry creek bed on his property. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Mr. Brown climbs the 57-foot radio tower. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Mr. Brown holds a "kissing bug" that he's pulled from his freezer. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Naturalist Hugh Brown, 68, a non-scientist, contributes to infectious disease research by collecting so-called "kissing" bugs on his property near Lexington. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Mr. Brown keeps the bugs he's caught in recycled pill bottles in his freezer. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Hugh Brown sits outside with a slice of watermelon. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Hugh Brown hoists a bucket with his supplies up to the top of the tower. Inside the bucket is a sheet to hang, empty vitamin bottles, a flashlight, and a light to hang to attract the bugs. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Brown stands outside with his bucket of supplies. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Citizen scientist Hugh Brown prepares to hunt for kissing bugs on his homemade radio tower. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: At the penultimate tower platform, Mr. Brown hangs a white bedsheet to be able to see the bugs better. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Brown sits on his radio tower platform as the sun sets. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Mr. Brown searches one of the tower patforms (which is covered in buzzard droppings) for bugs. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: In addition to the bug, Mr. Brown writes the location, time, and date on a piece of paper, which he inserts into the empty vitimin bottle with the bug. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: A live "kissing bug" Mr. Brown has caught. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT
LEXINGTON, TEXAS - July 24, 2016: Mr. Brown spots a "kissing" bug and grabs it with his hand. Ilana Panich-Linsman for STAT