The most severe damage caused by Anthonomus eugenii occurs through direct fruit loss, either from premature fruit drop or from the presence of exit holes left by emerging adults or egg-laying females. These signs of damage significantly reduce marketable yield. Larvae develop within flower buds and immature fruit, feeding internally and disrupting normal development. This feeding activity often causes the fruit stalk and calyx to yellow, followed by wilting and eventual abscission. When infested fruit begins to fall to the ground in noticeable quantities, it is a strong indication that the crop has sustained serious damage and the infestation is well established. Early detection and intervention are therefore critical to minimizing economic loss.

Newly emerged adult Anthonomus eugenii (pepper weevil) are light brown in colour, with an oval-shaped body measuring between 2 and 3.5 mm in length. As they age, their coloration darkens to grey, reddish-brown, or nearly black. One of their most recognizable features is the elongated snout, or rostrum, which extends beyond the length of their head and prothorax—a characteristic trait of weevils. Two days after emerging and beginning to feed, adults are ready to mate. Females lay their eggs individually inside flowers or immature fruit. On average, each female lays approximately 341 eggs during her reproductive lifespan. Eggs hatch after about four days.

The larvae are plump and whitish, with distinct black spots and prominent brown mandibles. When hatching inside an immature fruit, larvae migrate toward the center, feeding on the developing seed mass. If they hatch within flower buds, they consume immature pollen. Feeding begins quickly—typically within one to four hours of hatching. The larval stage includes three instars and is solely dedicated to feeding, lasting around seven to eight days depending on temperature.

As pupation begins, the larva carves out a cavity within the fruit and lines it with its own excrement to form a protective cell. Within this chamber, metamorphosis takes place. The pupa appears shiny white at first, with yellow eyes that darken over time. After three to six days, the transformation is complete and the adult emerges. Under favorable conditions, the entire life cycle—from egg to adult—can be completed in approximately 21 days, allowing for multiple overlapping generations in a single growing season.

Preventing infestations of the pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) is challenging due to the pest’s cryptic behaviour, rapid reproduction, and lack of effective biological control options. As such, prevention relies heavily on strict sanitation, cultural practices, monitoring, and exclusion methods to reduce the risk of establishment and spread.

Sanitation is one of the most critical prevention strategies. All plant debris, fallen fruit, and crop residues should be promptly removed and destroyed, as they can harbor developing larvae and pupae. This includes regularly scouting for and removing damaged or prematurely dropped fruit, which is often a sign of internal weevil activity. Preventing carryover between cropping cycles is essential; volunteer plants or leftover crop residues can serve as reservoirs for re-infestation.

Cultural practices such as crop rotation with non-host plants can help reduce population buildup over time. Avoid planting peppers near or in succession with other Solanaceous crops, especially if weevil pressure was present in the previous season. Staggering plantings or maintaining crop-free periods may also disrupt the weevil's life cycle and reduce habitat continuity.

Monitoring is important for early detection. Visual inspection should focus on flower buds and immature fruits, particularly during the cooler parts of the day when adults are more active. Yellow sticky traps can be used to detect adult weevils, although they are not highly attractive or reliable as a control measure. Monitoring efforts should also include checking the soil surface beneath plants, as adult weevils will often drop to the ground and remain motionless when disturbed.

Physical exclusion, such as the use of insect-proof netting or fine mesh screens in greenhouse or high-tunnel systems, can provide a protective barrier against adult weevils, particularly in controlled environments. Entry points should be tightly sealed to prevent initial infestations.

Because no biological control agents are currently effective against A. eugenii, prevention must be proactive. Once an infestation becomes established, chemical control is often necessary, but should be used judiciously and in rotation to avoid resistance development. The absence of reliable biological control underscores the importance of early detection, sanitation, and exclusion in protecting pepper crops from this highly destructive pest.