COMPARATIVE LIGHT INSPECTION TO SORT BOMBYX MORI L. COCOONS

Egypt annually imports its need from silkworm eggs from other countries. Sorting operation was carried out to increase quality and quantity of filament, there are many methods were used to sort cocoons as cocoon weight, shell percentage, pupa weight, cocoon volume and visual eyes examination of pupa. But all these methods were not accurate. So, light inspection sorting system was used to sort cocoon examination according their sex by examination of pupa. Setup of this system includes three parts: 1) stereo microscope to enlarge photo, 2) digital camera to take photos, and 3) personal computer with software for image analysis. The obtained results were as follows: a) The percentage averages of non-compatible were about 30.96, 30.96, 30.69, 23.31, and 14.28%. Meanwhile, compatible percentage was about 69.04, 69.04, 69.04, 76.19 and 85.72% for cocoon mass, pupa mass, shell percent, cocoon volume and visual eye of pupa, respectively, b) The incident angle of 65 degree gave high reflection, which resulted the clearest image of pupae., c) Light inspection sorting method lead to increase the productivity about 20-24% in male group in comparison to female group, d) Length of filament in male group was (977m) more than female group (727 m), and e) Thickness of filament of male cocoons was (0.215 denier) less than female group of cocoons (0.285 denier).