Xanthoperla apicalis can reach a body length of about in males, of about in females, with a forewing length of about of in males and of in females. These small stoneflies have convex and protruding eyes and a rather narrow and long pronotum. The head is pale yellow, with black margins. Abdomen shows a relatively short dorsal dark. Legs are yellowish.
Biology
This species of stoneflies has one generation a year. Adults can be found from Spring to Summer, between May and July. Larvae have a carnivorous-detritivorous diet, while adults feed on pollen from angiosperms and pinaceae.