Penducle problem

[acs1]

Anyone know what does this damage to the penducle. Its only happened on a couple pods. Also, what are the little brown specs on the fruit, anything to worry about...?
   Plant looks very healthy, tons of delicious pods, with no obvious pest thanks to a bi monthly neem routine.
 
 

 

[The_NorthEast_ChileMan]

While I can't help with ID I have occasionally experienced this  & wonder myself?

 

[DontPanic]

Would it make any sense for this to be cutworm damage?
 
My experience with cutworms is usually on juvenile plants, and they usually cut all the way through.
 
Once, I found them trying to tackle a bigger plant they couldn't cut all the way through, but it was still down low on the stalk.
 
The damage looks similar, but I've never seen it on the pods.

 

[The_NorthEast_ChileMan]

Would it make any sense for this to be cutworm damage?
 
..Edit..... but it was still down low on the stalk.
 
The damage looks similar, but I've never seen it on the pods.

 
While anything is possible this link,GOOGLE Image Search-Cutworm Damage, and your note above indicates its common @ ground level and this issue @ pepper pod height so I'm thinking not very likely.....Thanks for your input!