Patches of the East Coast are buzzing with the return of the 17-year cicadas. They're carpeting spots from GA to CT, and filling the air with a 7 kHz mating buzz. Alert scientists when you see them emerge — or help predict their arrival with a home-built sensor!













From Georgia to Connecticut, baby magicicadas, or "nymphs," have been sleeping and feeding on the juice of tree roots underground for 17 years. They emerge when the soil temperature reaches a steady 64° F.

Build a detector to monitor the soil 8" down. . .

. . . and use the nine LEDs on the detector to report your temperature to Radiolab. A steady 64° F indicates the cicadas should arrive!

A week after emerging from underground, the male magicicada begins its mating call. The female magicicada responds by flicking its wings. A mating ritual ensues to spawn the next brood of magicicada!

You can hear the magicicada's call. You won't miss it!

Once they have emerged, it takes about a week for magicicadas to shed their final "skin" and reach adulthood.

Hover over the dots for details.