Women's Clothing Boutique in Hilton Head Island, SC

If your morning walk or coffee on the front porch has turned into a dance around red-headed, hairy caterpillars lately, you’re not alone.

The white-marked tussock moth caterpillars are back once again, and they’re making themselves at home on porches, patios, palmettos and live oak trees across the Lowcountry.

While these fuzzy insects may look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, their arrival signals a more irritating reality: itchy rashes, leaf-stripped trees and seasonal backyard invasions.

Here’s what you need to know to navigate tussock season safely (and scratch-free).

Several types of tussock moth caterpillars are native to North America. In South Carolina, however, the ones found here in the Lowcountry are called white-marked tussock moths (Orgyia leucostigma).

Tussock moth caterpillars are small, brushy caterpillars with dramatic looks: four toothbrush-like tufts on their backs, black spiky antennae and bright red heads.

They’re easy to spot – and best admired from afar.

The tussock moth caterpillars hatch from early spring through early summer. As they continue to develop for the next 30 to 40 days, they grow to about an inch to an inch and a half long and are often spotted in abundance.

Before these caterpillars begin their transformations into moths, they will create and become small, white cocoons that can be seen dotted almost everywhere around the Lowcountry.

These caterpillars feed on over 140 types of trees and shrubs, including live oak, birch, cherry, hackberry and even fir.

In the Lowcountry, they’re especially fond of live oaks, which makes coastal neighborhoods a prime buffet.

They don’t stay put, either. Tussock caterpillars are explorers, crawling onto walls, porches, car windows and anything else in their path. And because they move in swarms, you’ll rarely see just one.

If you’re a gardener or landscaper, it might be smart to keep an eye out.

When an area has a high population of these caterpillars, they can defoliate trees. While most healthy trees bounce back, repeated infestations can weaken them.

If you’re seeing large clusters, you can manually remove the caterpillars or cocoons using gloves, or consider calling a pest management professional, especially if they’re damaging ornamental or fruit trees.

Not exactly, but they can leave a mark.

If you happen to cross paths with these little guys, avoid touching them. The barbed hairs on these caterpillars can stick to your skin and can trigger an allergic skin reaction that ranges from mild itching to painful welts, especially in children.

What’s worse: even their cocoons, old or new, can cause the same reaction.

So while they aren’t venomous or dangerous in the traditional sense, they can definitely ruin your afternoon.

If you or your child comes into contact with one, it is recommended to wash the area gently with soap and water, apply a hydrocortisone cream and avoid scratching. Seek medical help if the rash worsens.

The first generation of these caterpillars hatches from April to June. By late spring, they’ll pupate into moths that are brown and tan in color with very hairy legs.

Males fly off in search of mates while the flightless females stay behind, lay eggs on their cocoons and die soon after.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a one-time event.

There are usually two generations each year, with the second starting in late summer. So while the current swarm might fade by June, expect a second wave toward the end of the summer months.

Tussock moth caterpillars are part of the Lowcountry’s spring rhythm and are important pollinators. While they may be annoying (and itchy), they’re not dangerous if you keep your distance.

Make sure to appreciate these fuzzy friends from afar: take a photo, skip the petting zoo vibes and leave these critters to do their thing, hopefully far from your porch swing.

Although if you do find yourself surrounded, here are some products you might want to have on hand during caterpillar season:

If these critters have overtaken your backyard, causing irreparable damage, you can contact a nearby pest specialist to help.

The Island Packet

(843) 626-0211

Anna Claire Miller is the Service Journalism Reporter for The Island Packet. Originally from Georgia, she has experience in magazine writing, non-profit communications and city government. Anna Claire has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, legal studies and English from High Point University.

Maridav // Shutterstock

How gas prices have changed in Hilton Head Island in the last week

Gas prices have gone up by about 9 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Abilene, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.54 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.17.

After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S., with many countries facing even steeper duties, though oil and gas imports are exempted from new tariffs. On April 9, the White House announced a three-month pause on all "reciprocal" tariffs (except against China), but the baseline 10% tariffs will remain in place.

Jolted by the impact of the tariff announcement, the stock market plummeted on April 3, with U.S. oil prices dropping 7%. The double-whammy of lower prices and higher costs for crucial materials like steel pipes may have a major impact on domestic oil and gas production. Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced this month that it would increase production to help stabilize the market.

Expecting market volatility, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan thinks it is possible that gas prices have already reached their peak in 2025, which typically happens around mid-April each year.

"After oil's sharp drop over the last couple of weeks—driven by concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs and OPEC+ restoring production faster than expected—gasoline prices have posted a notable weekly decline, with nearly every state seeing prices fall," De Haan said in a statement this week. "While I do expect gas prices to continue trending lower, any abrupt change in the current tariff situation could eventually bring the decline to a halt."

Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Hilton Head-Bluffton, SC metro area using data from AAA. Gas prices are current as of April 17.

Hilton Head Island by the numbers- Gas current price: $2.92--- South Carolina average: $2.74- Week change: -$0.02 (-0.6%)- Year change: -$0.43 (-12.8%)- Historical expensive gas price: $4.57 (6/15/22)

- Diesel current price: $3.48- Week change: -$0.00 (-0.1%)- Year change: -$0.43 (-10.9%)- Historical expensive diesel price: $5.61 (6/21/22)

Metros with the most expensive gas#1. Salinas, CA: $5.17#2. Napa, CA: $5.15#3. Santa Rosa, CA: $5.13

Metros with the least expensive gas#1. Abilene, TX: $2.54#2. Laredo, TX: $2.54#3. Cleveland, TN: $2.55

This story features writing by Tim Bruns and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 371 metros.

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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. —

As the top golfers in the world assemble this week at Augusta National for the Masters, many of them will be making their way to the Lowcountry and Hilton Head Island for next week’s RBC Heritage.

And tournament organizers and the folks at Harbour Town are ready for it.

They are ready to get their plaid on at the Harbour Town Golf Links. Preparations are well underway at the course as they get ready to welcome the world’s best golfers next week for the RBC Heritage.

“I've used this analogy in ways almost like when you do construction on a house, it kind of gets worse before it gets better," said Steve Wilmot, tournament director of RBC Heritage. "We're in that worse stage, you could say that, but there's so much happening. But then every day, every hour, every moment right now, I mean, it's getting closer and closer.”

The RBC Heritage is now one of the premiere events on the PGA Tour, now a signature event, featuring only the top golfers in the world. A far cry from when this tournament was in jeopardy of being cancelled for good.

“Think where we were in '10 and '11, that we weren't really sure what was going to happen in 12," explained Wilmot. "To be here today is a signature event. Last year was a designated event or a signature event. So it's really only been a couple of years.”

The RBC Heritage is certainly no stranger to sporting a star-studded field for this tournament. And now that the event is a signature event on the PGA Tour, it features its best field is ever seen.

“We have 29 of the top 30 from the current, FedEx list," said Wilmot. "We have 49 of the top 50 that are eligible. We have 45 of the top, the official world golf ranking players in all two. So everyone's going to be here.”

The RBC Heritage will officially begin with the opening ceremonies Tuesday, April 15, at noon.

The first round of competition begins next Thursday morning, April 17, at the Harbor Town Golf Links.

Dining at some of Hilton Head Island’s most iconic destinations can be a little easier on your wallet, if you know what to do.

Whether you’re an island local or a visitor looking for some meal deals, the Sea Pines Resort offers a tasty incentive when guests dine at one of its on-site restaurants — and it’s as simple as showing up, eating well and saving money.

To enter the Sea Pines Resort, guests are asked to pay a $9 cash gate fee for a day pass.

These fees for day passes go toward road maintenance, transportation, security, leisure trails and administration, according to the Sea Pines CSA. The fees also offset the costs incurred by property owners to provide resort services to visitors.

According to previous reporting, Sea Pines generates roughly $4 million annually from these gate fees.

However, that fee can be gifted right back to your wallet with this insider tip.

When guests spend $25 or more at any Sea Pines Resort dining location, the $9 gate fee required to enter the resort will be reimbursed directly from your bill.

This means that your gate pass practically becomes your meal discount.

Here’s how to secure your discount, according to Matthew Roher, Director of Food and Beverage at The Sea Pines Resort:

It’s an especially good deal for locals or Hilton Head residents who don’t often make the drive through the Sea Pines gates, according to Roher.

This reimbursement initiative is also intended to help make resort dining more accessible and appealing to everyone, not just overnight guests.

This meal deal is available at all dining locations within Sea Pines, according to Roher.

So whether you’re craving fresh seafood with a view of the ocean, a hearty brunch or an afternoon cocktail overlooking the marina, this discount gives you one more reason to treat yourself.

Here are all of the dining locations in Sea Pines:

More details and restaurant menus can be found by visiting the Sea Pines Resort Restaurant and Dining webpage.

Rumors circulated on social media platforms such as Facebook and Nextdoor on Tuesday that probed about the possibility of a Trader Joe’s coming to Okatie Crossing in between the Bluffton and Hardeeville areas.

But was it an April Fool’s joke or a serious development scoop?

At the intersection of U.S. 278 and S.C. 170, this corridor is at a prime location between highly populated areas and roadways for both Jasper County and greater Beaufort County residents.

It has long been predicted that the national grocery store chain would make its landfall in the Lowcountry, but according to local officials and store representatives, the rumor is just a rumor.

“We’re actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country, so there is a possibility we are looking at something in the area,” said Nakia Rohde, public relations manager for Trader Joe’s. “At this time, we do not have any locations confirmed in the area.”

The proposed space for the new grocer that residents and online posts pointed out is the vacant lot space behind the Wendy’s on Okatie Center Boulevard.

Back in 2019, this lot was also seen as a potential space for a Costco, which has since fallen through due to cost constraints.

“The property is not currently under contract and nothing is imminent at this point,” said Michael Patterson, president for Horne Properties, which oversees development in Okatie Crossing Center. “The property is still available at this time.”

Even though this area serves many residents of Beaufort County, the land is located within Hardeeville’s city limits.

City Manager of Hardeeville, Josh Gruber, also confirmed Wednesday that the Trader Joe’s rumor was not true.

The Island Packet also reached out to the Town of Bluffton in regards to other rumors of a Trader Joe’s opening in the area. Spokesperson for the town, Debbie Szpanka, debunked these rumors, too.

“The Town has no information that would indicate a Trader Joe’s is on its way,” she said. “However, Bluffton would welcome one with open arms. I feel certain Trader Joe’s would be very happy with us and be pleased with its decision to open its doors here.”

While this Trader Joe’s rumor made the rounds online, it turns out it was simply the product of an April Fool’s fiasco and Lowcountry residents won’t be visiting this new grocery chain anytime soon.

The Okatie Crossing Center has been a hot spot for new development, with the newest additions being a Pet Paradise Dog Daycare Center that opened in 2024 and a new Harbor Freight location on the way soon.

This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 4:24 PM.