That's the caterpillar of the Copper Underwing, Amphipyra pyramidoides. They eat many different kinds of foliage, and turn into a small, gray-ish mottled moth.

Thank you for the feedback and the name. I thought that's what it was but wanted to get a second opinion, you find so many mislabeled photographs online you can never be sure. :)

Best plan is to cut it back, but be prepared for the next generation. Use a small cultivator in the soil around your plants to unearth hiding caterpillars and pupae. That's where these guys over winter and simply hang out during the day. You might also think about obtaining some Thuricide or other biological control for caterpillars. Thuricide is a strain of bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, affects only caterpillars and only if they are feeding on the plant you've sprayed. It's acceptable for organic gardeners and can be used up to harvest.

I dunno about the round things, it's hard to tell. The caterpillars look like ordinary loopers and you can only keep a watch and remove them by hand as you have done. Dipel works but do you want to kill them? Birds will clean up a few.