Summary of A cicada warning system with Arduino
This article discusses a DIY project using an Arduino UNO to monitor soil temperature, predicting the emergence of periodical cicadas on the East Coast. These cicadas live underground for 13 or 17 years and emerge synchronously in large numbers when the soil reaches about 64°F (17.7°C). Radiolab’s tutorial guides users to build a cicada warning system based on soil temperature readings.
Parts used in the Cicada Warning System:
- Arduino UNO
- Soil temperature sensor
- Connecting wires
- Breadboard (optional)
- Power supply (USB or battery)
This spring, patches of the East Coast will turn buzzy and crunchy because of … bugs. Periodical cicadas (or Magicicadas) usually live underground but after 13 or 17 years, they emerge synchronously and in tremendous numbers to look for a mate. Radiolab launched a campaign to predict their arrival with a bit of DIY science and using an Arduino UNO.
You can follow the instructions of the simple tutorial on how to monitor soil temperature until it reaches 64° F (17,7 C°) — when the cicadas should start to emerge.
For more detail: A cicada warning system with Arduino
