The spotted lanternfly has been an invasive species in the U.S. for years. Now it may have a natural predator.

The invasive species known as the spotted lanternfly has been spreading in the U.S. for nearly a decade, but federal researchers in Delaware may have found a natural predator that can potentially stop the pesky insects.

The spotted lanternfly is native to China and was spotted in Pennsylvania as early as 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since then, it's been found in 13 other states, mostly on the East Coast but also as far west as Indiana and Michigan.

The spotted lanternfly poses a threat to several fruits, including apples, grapes and peaches, as well as some trees, according to the USDA. Authorities have urged people to do whatever they can to stop the pests from spreading.