SummaryThe degree of serological variability among pepper strains of potato virus Y (PVY) was assessed through the analysis of samples of infected pepper collected in three main pepper producing regions of Spain. Samples corresponding to the period 1980–1991 were analysed by ELISA with five different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) produced against potato strains of the virus. The results obtained show a limited degree of epitope variability among pepper PVY‐isolates, since only eight out of 32 possible serological profiles were found. Most isolates are not recognised by a MAb directed towards an epitope reported to be present in all potato‐PVY isolates. The overall serological behaviour of pepper isolates with these MAbs places them as closer to the group O, of the three groups into which the potato isolates of PVY have been subdivided.