Catapiller Web on Shrub

[Julie]

I can't renenber what this shrub/bush is called and I'm pretty sure this happened last year as well. But there are a bunch of catapillers in webs all over it and I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. My first inclination is to cut back where I see this, but wanted to check here first to find out what's going on. Thanks in advance!

 

[DirtMechanic]

Just spray them.

 

[marlingardener]

Those caterpillars and the webs don't look beneficial. I'd put on a pair of gloves and strip off the webs and caterpillars, then give the shrub a gentle overhead watering with a mild pesticide ( Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a natural insecticide derived from bacteria that causes disease among insects).
Birds should take care of the stripped off caterpillars. If not, just do the happy dance on them!

 

[DirtMechanic]

Those caterpillars and the webs don't look beneficial. I'd put on a pair of gloves and strip off the webs and caterpillars, then give the shrub a gentle overhead watering with a mild pesticide ( Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a natural insecticide derived from bacteria that causes disease among insects).
Birds should take care of the stripped off caterpillars. If not, just do the happy dance on them!

@marlingardener we can call that dance the catapillar squash