In the department of Cauca, still remains small fragments sub-Andean forest persist. The nature reserve "Raíces de Vida" (Roots of Life) of the school "Carmen Quintana", at Cajibío (Cauca), has one of these fragments but influenced by areas of agricultural uses. This prompted a need for investigate the actual state in order to define and, if needed, implement educational and management strategies. With this objective in mind, a sampling of diurnal Lepidoptera community (as a biological indicator) was carried out. Analyses of data of richness and abundance of Lepidoptera allowed to defined how this insect community is associated with the state of the forest. A total of 785 butterflies, grouped in 80 species, was recorded. Specimens belong to the superfamily Papilionioidea and represent four families: Pieridae, Hesperiidae, Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae. A total of 14 species, indicators of disturbed ecosystems, include Leptophobia aripa, Anartia amathea, Euptychia hermes and Phoebis sennae. On the other hand, a good forest species like Manataria maculata, Pseudohaetera hypaesia, Taygetis chrysogone, Memphis lyceus and Heliconius erato chestertoni were found. Results suggest that this small forest fragment is under an intermediate successional stage, hence representing an important area for conservation and environmental education strategies.