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The detrimental photic effects of natural solar radiation on the conidial persistence of the entomopathogenic hyphomycete Paecilomyces fumosoroseuswere investigated by exposing quiescent conidia either to total solar radiation or to its diffuse component. A given amount of UVB diffuse radiation was found to be as detrimental, and sometimes twice as detrimental, as the same amount of total solar radiation. The variability in quantity and spectral distribution of the diffuse component of UVB solar radiation reaching the earth's surface, observed through spectral measurements, may be responsible for the difference in biological effects.