A growing number of Koreans are developing a newfound fancy for insects, to keep around the house as pets or to raise as feed for their animals.

How about raising bugs as your cute cuddly little pets around the house?

Their prices vary from as low as W10, 000 to W100, 000 roughly anywhere between US$8.5 to US$85 per bug.

US$85.00 may sound like a fortune but the pricey ones have colorful shells, which bug lovers insist are beautiful enough for ornate jewelry.

For primary school student Choi Won-hoon, who has been raising insects for a year there can be no better pets than these little creatures.

"From larva to chrysalis, the maturing stage of insects fascinates me. I feel proud when I see the insects hatch."

There are an estimated 100,000 insect owners in the country and industry sources say the market is rapidly growing.

Insects are in hot demand for use not only as pets but also as animal forage.

Rich in protein and fat, insects such as crickets are popular and nutritious feed for pigs and reptiles.

Arirang TV