Many proteins require assistance from molecular chaperones at various stages to attain correctly folded states and functional conformations during protein synthesis. In this study, the gene encoding T-complex polypeptide 1 (TCP-1), which belongs to the heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) family, was isolated and characterized from the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, by RACE and qPCR, respectively. The full-length cDNA of Tcp-1was 2 144 bp and encoded a 1 635-bp ORF; the deduced translational product contained 545 amino acids with 5'- and 3'-UTRs and an isoelectric point of 5.29. Cluster analysis confirmed that the deduced amino acid sequence shared high identity (60–99%) with TCP-1 from other insects. To investigate Tcp-1expression in response to abiotic stress, qPCR was used to analyze expression levels of Tcp-1mRNA in C. suppressalislarvae exposed to temperatures ranging from –11 to 43°C. With respect to heat shock, Tcp-1expression was higher than the control after a 2-h exposure to 30 and 36°C and declined at 39 and 43°C. Difference in Tcp-1expression was observed at temperatures ranging from –11 to 27°C. qPCR analyses revealed that Tcp-1expression was the highest in hindgut tissue as compared to heads, epidermis, fat body, foregut, midgut, and malpighian tubules. Our results indicated that Tcp-1expression was differentially expressed in C. suppressalistissues, and was impacted by temperature stress.