The types of rice pests and diseases, as well as their occurrence rules in Huazhou City, Guangdong Province, were investigated in this study, to provide a basis for prediction, forecasting, and green control measures. Based on multi-year survey data and historical records, the species of rice pests and diseases in Huazhou from 1980 to 2023 were investigated, and the occurrence and epidemic patterns of major pests and diseases, and their causes were analyzed. It was revealed that a total of 55 types of rice pests and diseases were present in the region, comprising 21 diseases and 34 pests. Among the diseases, fungal diseases were found to be the most prevalent, with 12 types accounting for 57.1% of the total. Leaf-eating and sap-sucking pests were identified as the most common among the pests, with 12 types each, both accounting for 35.3% of the total. A preliminary exploration was conducted into the regularty of epidemic of major rice pests and diseases in the region over the years, revealing differences in the severity of pests and diseases damage across different decades. In the 1980s, severe damage was caused by pests such as Tryporyza incertulas, Nilaparvata lugens, Thrips oryzae, Orseoia oryzae and diseases such as rice blast, bacterial leaf blight, sheath blight, false smut, and rice gall dwarf disease, while other pests and diseases were relatively mild. From the 1990s onwards, an increase in severity was observed for Nilaparvata lugens, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, sheath blight, bacterial leaf streak, and rice orange leaf disease. In the 2020s, Sesamia inferens, Chilo suppressalis, bacterial leaf streak, sheath blight, bacterial leaf blight, and southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus were found to have become more prevalent. It was concluded through a comprehensive analysis that the occurrence and evolution of these rice pests and diseases were mainly driven by a combination of three factors: the host plant (crop resistance), pathogenic organisms (or initial pest sources), and environmental conditions (including meteorological conditions, cultivation practices, and farming systems). It was also noted that different pests and diseases had their own specific factors contributing to their evolution. A reference was provided by this study for improving the management of rice pests and diseases in the region and for promoting the sustainable development of agriculture.