Abstract: An improved microbial insecticide composition, and methods for the production and utilization thereof, are disclosed. The disclosed composition comprises a microbial insect pathogen of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin which is susceptible to sunlight-induced inactivation embedded in a coacervate microbead which is comprised of a nucleic acid, typically RNA, and a proteinaceous material, whereby the microbead structure itself effectively shields the agent from sunlight-induced inactivation. The microbead is typically stabilized by chemical crosslinking.