Leave the Citrus. Take the Swallowtails.

This morning, I found these guys absolutely devouring one of the Mandarin trees.

At first: Yikes. Caterpillars.

Then I figured out what they were. I mean, I asked Google Lens what they were.

Giant Swallowtail Caterpillars.

These strange little creatures, sometimes called “orange dogs,” spend their caterpillar days munching on citrus leaves before eventually becoming one of the largest and most beautiful butterflies in North America.

So now I have a dilemma.

I want my citrus trees.

But I think I want the butterflies more.

So rather than getting rid of them, we’re going to give them a place of their own. I’m looking for some rue and perhaps a sacrificial citrus tree where we can move the caterpillars, let them eat their fill, make their chrysalises, and hopefully watch them emerge as Giant Swallowtails.

I needed another project. Worm rancher moving into Butterfiles.

Nobody really planned it that way.

Which may be the best part.