Invertebrates have been on it since 1976, when the Fish and Wildlife Service granted protections to seven species of butterflies. Yet, the trouble with insects is, well, most are not a "charismatic species," scientists' term for superstars of the endangered animal kingdom. We coo for pandas and whales. Ants, not so much. "Honestly, endangered insects have been a (public relations) nightmare," said May Berenbaum, the head of UIUC's department of entomology. She received the National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama; "The X-Files" named a character after her. But ask about protecting insects and even she acknowledges "insects are a hard case (for protection). Try arguing for a pygmy hog-sucking louse. Not a great name for something we might want to save."