For illustrations that will help you to distinguish these insects, consult Howitt's Common Tree Fruit Insects . In fact, the disease is most commonly found in low areas of the field or in poorly drained areas where soils remain saturated for extended periods of time. The stems of pepper plants are usually infected near the soil line. At first the lesions are dark green in color and appear water soaked. With time the lesions dry and become brown in color.
Symptoms also can spread to the upper stems, leaves, and fruit.
When infections occur at ground level the plants can be girdled. These plants will become gray-green in color and severely wilted. The fungus can also infect the upper stems and fruit without affecting the lower stem, resulting in some wilted leaves and shriveled fruit on an otherwise healthy looking plant. This pathogen causes similar symptoms on tomato and eggplant. The fungus survives in the soil and on infested seed.