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 is highly variable and may exhibit a a range of lip shapes from scolopaxoid to fuciflorid, varying pilosity and with protuberences that can range from modest to implausibly long. As mentioned, on Samos it is very difficult to distinguish from O. samiotissa and for this reason the illustrations here are all from Kos where it is easier to separate from other species. The exception to this is the presence there of O. ellinicaea, which is morphologically similar and can be regarded as within the natural variation range of O. tili. The two taxons share several characteristics such as well developed protuberances, large appendage, long internodes and importantly the same pollinator. Convincing research by Paulus and Hirth suggests the two species are synonymous. It should however be mentioned that the Kos population does show a tendency to produce plants  whose protuberences are regularly of exaggerated length and/or muscularity.

The pictures are from Kos and date from the beginning of April.