The only thing that comes to my mind is the fact that baby Lady Bugs look like little alligators. Have you seen mature lady bugs on the plant? Need to see a picture.

Thanks for your replies! For some reason, I could not upload the pic. I found out they were giant swallow caterpillar larva, which feed on citrus...so mystery solved. Thanks again!

The pesky ‘orangedog’ larvae. Giant swallowtails prefer to lay their eggs on the newest, soft growth of citrus. The small, 1mm brown to orange eggs can easily be spotted on the new growth. The young larvae look like bird droppings. These guys can quickly defoliate citrus plants. When they are touched or feel threatened- two orange antenna-looking glands protrude out that emit a strong odor and are toxic to ants and other insects. I always look for these and pick them off if small, larger ones are removed with a twig or glove. Large ones can produce a stinging sensation. Large ones are such voracious foliage eaters- I’ve even heard them munching. Sometimes parasitic wasps will kill them.

Many thanks for this detailed information Sabalmatt!

This article says that Giant swallowtail butterflies prefer to lay their eggs on a several native trees, such as prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata), and Common Rue (Ruta graveolens). rather than on cultivated citrus, which in my limited experience I've found to be true.

It says they can do damage to very young citrus plants, but "larvae can be tolerated on large dooryard citrus trees in order to enjoy the soon-to-develop magnificent adult butterfly stage".

I've never seen caterpillars on my Satsuma tree, but several on my Hop tree -- Ptelea trifoliata, which I planted for that very purpose. This is one of them ...