Thirteen phenolics were tested as ultraviolet (UV) protectants for the nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner). After 30-minute exposure to UVB radiation (in the 280–320 nm range), eleven SeMNPV/phenolic combinations provided good to excellent UV protection when used at a concentration of 0.050 M. At a concentration of 0.0050 M caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, esculin, gallic acid, and tannic acid still provided good UV protection. As the concentration was reduced to 0.0005 M, only caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid provided some UV protection.