Although the small size of pepper weevils makes them somewhat difficult to observe in the field, with some effort, adults can be readily detected.  They can often be found in direct sunlight on the upper leaf surfaces of recently unfolded leaves in the upper areas of the plant.  Another common host structure on which pepper weevils can be found is the terminal bud area.  Their chief defense mechanisms appears to be their small size as they do not readily fly or drop from the plant when disturbed. Most often they simply walk a few centimeters when disturbed.  Flight, however, does occur (Fig. 9).

Within pepper fields duration of flight is generally very short and weevils often fly only to another portion of the same plant.  Adult pepper weevil sampling may be accomplished by counting the number of adults on a specified number of terminals, e.g., 1000, or the number observed during a specified amount of time, e.g., 30 min.  This occurence of adults on the upper plant surface also provides a readily accessible target for foliar insecticide sprays provided effective chemicals are available.

Immature stages also can be monitored. In tabasco pepper, the easiest way of detecting larvae is to look in abscised fruit on the ground under the tabasco plant.  Additional infested fruit may be dislodged from the plant and counted by vigorously shaking plants.  Close observation of these pods will reveal the oviposition scar (Fig. 7).  When the exit hole is observed (Fig. 8), the adult has completed development and left.  It should be noted, however, that by the time that fruit shed is detected, numerous fruit will have been infested and the pepper weevil population may have built to substantial levels.