Plant-parasitic nematodes display a wide variety of interactions with their hosts. Among them the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are the most economically important group worldwide distributed, that consists of about 100 species able to induce complex feeding structures in their hosts which supply the nematode with a rich and long-lasting food source. Although species of Meloidogyne typically produce root galls on susceptible plants, galls are produced occasionally on above-ground parts. Well established host–parasite relationships of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica Chitw. (Treub) on pepper (Capsicum annuum) hypocotyls (cv Yellow Wonder) are described and illustrated as recorded by LM and SEM observations on aboveground feeding sites. Gall induction and formation were studied in glasshouse conditions at 28 Ѓ} 2°C. Pepper plants exposed to a range of population densities of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2s)/ml soilof the nematode showed the typical susceptible reaction to M. javanica. The basic pattern of cellular changes that occur in stems has been compared to those occurring in roots infected by Meloidogyne species by histopathological studies. Infected pepper hypocotyl (4-5 mm long) portions, together with galled root segments were selected for histopathological studies. Tissues were fixed in formaldehyde chromo-acetic solution for 48 h, dehydrated in a tertiary butyl alcohol series (40-70-85-90-100 %), embedded in paraffin with a melting point of 58°C and sectioned with a rotary microtome. Sections 10– 12 μm thick were placed on glass slides, stained with safranin and fast-green, mounted permanently in a 40% xylene solution of a polymethacrylic ester (Synocril 9122X), examined microscopically and photographed. A number of the sections instead to be mounted for slides , has been appropriately prepared for SEM observations (Fig. 1). On the basis of the observations of second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne within hypocotyl tissue it is concluded that penetration occurs while the hypocotyls is still below the level. The anatomical observations of roots, stems and hypocotyl obtained with the aid of a light and SEM microscopies demonstrated that M. javanica is highly specialized endoparasite on pepper seedlings. In this very compatible interaction, the nematode induce metabolically active multinucleate feeding hypertrophied cells with well developed large galls on roots and stems. Stellar vascular tissues within galls appeared interrupted and strongly disorganized. Aknowledgement: The research was undertaken within the framework of the bilateral project nr. 15.820.18.05.07/It between the National Research Council (CNR-Italy) and the Academyof Scienceof R. Moldova nr. 15.817.02.12F.