• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2015

In an effort to obtain foundational data required to evaluate the therapeutic effect of educational insect rearing, this study surveyed current educational pet insect rearing practices in Korea and examined the expected psychological effects from participating in the activity. Data were collected from those who visited the special insect exhibition in May 2013 using a self-reporting survey. The results indicated that 48.3% of the responders had experienced insect rearing, and that rhino and stag beetles were the most commonly reared insects. Most of the respondents (83.1%) reported they were not currently rearing any insects, which suggested that insect rearing tends to be a one-time experience. Expected psychological effects could be divided into emotional (56.3%) and cognitive (41.8%) effects, and these varied by age and gender. The differences in expected psychological effects were particularly clear between adults and adolescents, the latter of whom were the main participants in the activity. It is therefore necessary to develop standardized manuals and care programs for more diverse insect species with which to help keep up consumer interest in educational insect rearing. These efforts will help champion the psychotherapeutic effects of educational pet insect rearing and enhance its role as a learning aid.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.335-340
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• 2013

As the market of educational pet insects is expanding, understanding the consumer needs became more crucial. To achieve the ideal analysis on the market, this research monitored the behavior of consumers. The posting on the blogs of consumers, who have visited insect museums and farms, or have bought insects were collected as data. Moreover, the informational contents, photographs and texts, were analyzed. The results showed that the family-unit visitors with elementary school lower graders were the main type of visitors for their children's education. The visiting areas were concentrated in Seoul and the Metropolitans of Gyeonggi province, and the visits were mostly occurred during their children's vacation period. The analysis of posted photographs showed the visitors' high interest in the hands-on program. According to the texts on visitors' blogs, especially, the largest number of visitors satisfied with the variety of program. It implies the necessity of development in diverse and differentiated hands-on program. Otherwise, the programs available to connect insects to other animals and plants should be introduced to reduce aversion against insects, which was reported as the strongest dissatisfaction. In conclusion, diversification on insect species and development in systematized hands-on program seem to be required for the continuous growth of educational pet insects market.