Like other members of the Potyvirus genus, PepMV is a monopartite strand of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA surrounded by a capsid made for a single viral encoded protein.

By 1975 it was clear that a third potyvirus, PepMoV (PeMV), was contributing to crop losses in pepper growing areas of the United States.

Symptoms of PepMoV on pepper include dark green vein banding, mottle/mosaic, puckered or crinkled leaves, and misshapen fruit.

Plants infected early in the growing season can be stunted and the virus can decrease yield significantly.

(See pictures of symptoms) Surveys[9] have shown that PepMoV can often occur in mixed infections with TEV and/or PVY so a technique such as ELISA must be used to differentiate these three virus in pepper.