A nymph is the juvenile stage a Cicada goes through before it's final molt into an adult Cicada. When Cicadas hatch from egg they are known as a first instar nymph. During this stage, Cicada nymphs burrow underground and attach themselves to a tree root and feed on xylem for 2 or more years depending on species. While underground, the Cicada nymph molts between 4 and 5 times, each time becoming a progressively bigger nymph. Each molt is considered an instar stage ie; first instar nymph, second instar nymph, third instar nymph etc. After reaching it's 4th or 5th instar nymph stage, depending on time of year and soil temperature, the nymph will dig itself out of the ground and climb the nearest tree, usually it's host plant and molt into the adult Cicada ready to mate.

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