Did larvae evolve before starfish

Yes, larvae as a developmental stage evolved before starfish. The evolutionary lineage leading to echinoderms, which includes starfish, is believed to have diverged from common ancestors of other animal groups over 500 million years ago. Larval forms in marine organisms, including echinoderms, represent an ancient evolutionary strategy for dispersal and survival in the ocean. Thus, the concept of larval stages predates the specific evolution of starfish.