What are the growth stages of a cicada?

Cicadas undergo a life cycle that consists of three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The female cicada lays eggs in tree branches, and once they hatch, the nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. They remain underground for several years, feeding on plant roots before emerging as adults. After molting, the adult cicada emerges, mates, and the cycle begins anew.