[3] describing an "apparently homologous and distinctive group" of isolates that were most virulent against Schistocerca gregaria (desert locust) in early screening bioassays.

By taking a strain of M. robertsii that has a nonfunctioning Mest1 gene, researchers found that the mutant was only able to infect Melanoplus femurrubrum, which is consistent with M. acridum activity.

[4] M. acridum has been used to control locusts and other grasshopper pest species: originally by the international LUBILOSA programme (which developed the product Green Muscle).

This team identified and addressed key technical challenges for exploitation of microbial control agents, including isolate selection, mass production, and delivery systems (formulation and application).

As of 2012, M. acridum was under consideration by the USDA for release in the Western U.S. for control of native grasshoppers and crickets.