If you find silken tent full of caterpillars, there can be different species involved depending on the time of year.  If you notice silken tents in a tree in the spring, it’s the Eastern Tent Caterpillar.  If tents are noticed in the late summer or fall, the culprit is the Fall Webworm.  Fall webworms are light colored (whitish or yellow) hairy caterpillars that will feed on a variety of trees.  Pruning or removing the tents when they’re small can provide good control.

Extension Bulletin