O. tili was first described from Tilos by Hirth and Spaeth in 2010 and is a member of the O. heldreichii group of Ophrys. Its name refers to the Aegean island of its discovery.

This Ophrys prefers calcareous and neutral habitats, from arid stony conditions in full sun to shady pine woodland. It is probably most at home in open garrigue and abandoned terraces, growing individually or in loose groups. It is known with certainty from Tilos, Samos and Kos where it is generally widespread but uncommon. It is probable that the species is present on other Aegean islands. Flowering from early April until early May, its appearance on Samos coincides with that of O. ethemeae and O.  samiotissa, orchids from which it can be difficult to distinguish.

O. tili, although somewhat variable, exhibits a quadrangular or trapezoid lip, often three lobed and with a faint or distinct yellow band bordering the lower edge of the lip. O. samiotissa can vary hugely, particularly in lip shape and frequently imitates O. tili, particularly as the two species have many other characteristics in common such as long, outward pointing protuberances, long internodes and an extensive, thick white or yellow bordered speculum. In O. tili the appendage is reported to be larger than that of O. samiotissa but the authors have not observed this characteristic to any significant extent. The pollinators are different in the two species, a feature which confirms speciation but apart from this, we have yet to see any description that convincingly separates them.

The pictures are from Samos and date from the end of April at a time when the plants were beginning to fade.