Hard to say by just looking at a photo and not at the underside of the leaves or surrounding area.
In the first photo (the leaf w/ brown edged holes), looks like it could be flea beetles.
The second photo exhibits classic snail / slug damage (snails are slugs w/ shells). I wouldn't rule out grasshoppers given the severity of damage in the second photo.

Overall, it could be just slugs / snails possibly a combination of all three, flea beetles being the least likely.
If you see clear / white looking trails in the morning on leaves or soil, then it's slugs.

Recommendations for control:
Slugs - A shallow container filled w/ beer placed on the ground will attract and kill them. Chemical treatment would be w/ metaldehyde.
Grasshoppers - Sevin dust works.
Flea Beetles - Sevin dust works and they don't like shade.

Paul B.

Although I don't suspect it in your case but, hornworms are frantic glutenous feeders that primarily attact and strip the foliage of tomatoes. They've been known to completely devour pepper leaves.
They get huge and are masters of camouflage. Many black (pepper corn size) droppings can be found in the vacinity where they dine.
If you notice droppings, locate the worm, pull it off then destroy it. Sevin dust also works if you have droppings but can't find the worm.

Again, I think it is a long shot that it's a hornworm.

Paul B.

You know what... that really does look like hornworm damage! Or grasshopper.

I don't mind at all the kind of damage in the first photo.

Sure would be nice to see an antipodean hornworm. Please take a picture if you spot one.

Thanks for your replies so far.
Regarding the first plant, I was thinking this could be some fungus or plant disease, as opposed to a pest. Almost all the leaves are damaged. I've checked the underside of the leave, and it appears to be normal (aside from the brown holes similar to the top). The environment is a little shaded (depends on the time of the day). It is planted near a big rosemary bush which is very healthy. I will take more pictures tomorrow and put them up.

Regarding the second one, I do sometimes find snails around my backyard. I went on a snail killing mission a few months ago and killed a lot, but looks like there are many more around. I have put some snail pallets near my plants and hopefully the leaves won't disappear!

A different set of eyes..

Picture #1 I see
Tomato Hornworm, it's in the pic I think upper right
Mildew
Thrips,
slugs
Eggplant Lace Bug

Picture #2
Excess Nitrogen (bubbled leaves)
slugs
flea beatles
grasshopper

Ok, a day after putting the snail/slug pallets, I went into the garden this morning and found so many of them!

{{gwi:1160910}}

I didn't think slugs would be the cause of the spotted chilli plants above though... if things don't improve in a few days, i might go and get sevin dust.

More pictures:
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{{gwi:1160928}}
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Do you think that would be ok?

Another question, shall I remove the snails/slugs which are feeding on the green snail pallets if I see them?

I'm assuming the pellets kill them, I've never used pellets as a control. Try cheap beer in a shallow saucer.

Pictures of spotted_chilli2, 3 & 4 look like nitrogen overload / burn.
Related causes:
- Fertilizing too much at once or too often.
- Too high a nitrogen fertilizer.
- While applying fertilizer, it comes in contact w/ the leaves.

Capsicum_plant2 is definately a pest problem.
One or more of the following:
- Grasshopper
- Slug
- Hornworm
- Some other antipode form of foliage eating caterpillar.

Paul B.

"I see Tomato Hornworm, it's in the pic I think upper right"
I resized the image and lightened up the upper right corner and can't see anything that remotely resembles a Hornworn. They really must be masters of camouflage.

But if you look closely and long enough, you can convince yourself into seeing what appears to be an image of Jesus. :)

{{gwi:1160940}}


Paul B.

It can't be the fertilizer since the spots appeared before I even started to put any. I haven't seen any pests (other than slugs and snails) or insects near my chilli/hot pepper plant at all. Could it be some sort of disease?

I would clear out the grass growing around your peppers. Not only will this rob nutrients and moisture from your plants, but it provides hiding places and easy access for pests that may harbor various diseases. I would also apply some mulch around the plants to keep moisture in and weeds/grass out. Slugs and snails are less likely to crawl over a rough mulch as well.

Thanks so much for your help guys. I'll put some updates here in the near future when the plants grow. I appreciate your help! (Feel free to add to this thread -- I'll still check it often :) )

The spotted chile #4 might be bacterial spec.